4 Past Events at Dutro-Ernst Woods

#OptOutside is a nationwide movement to venture outdoors instead of spending the day shopping on Black Friday. After the joys of Thanksgiving when you connect with family and friends, why not take some time to connect with nature?

Join your friends at Red-tail Land Conservancy on Friday, November 25 anytime between 1-4pm at Dutro-Ernst Woods for an afternoon of unguided wandering, wondering, and discovery.

At this urban nature preserve, you will hear wildlife like cardinals and swallows, see unusual and intriguing mushrooms, and enjoy the quiet stillness of a natural landscape settling down for winter. The many oak trees which make up the forest will be ablaze with color!

Red-tail’s volunteer naturalists will be along the trail to share facts about the wildlife you can see in the nature preserve. You’ll get a stamp for each naturalist you visit. See them all and earn a free nature journal!

This event is free and open to all. No registration is necessary, just show up at your leisure and prepare to be amazed!

Trees provide food and shelter to hundreds of species of wildlife, from bees to deer. Join us on Saturday, April 22 from 10am-12pm at Dutro-Ernst Woods for our family-friendly Earth Day Tree Planting. The birds, frogs, and butterflies need you! Registration is required.

Earth Day Tree Planting 2023 is presented by Red-tail Land Conservancy, Heintzelman Hardwood Floors, and Plant Roots Foundation.

Because of space limitations in the parking area and work site, registration is required. Please let us know you are coming! If you represent a group, the registration form has a space to note how many people will attend.

Visit www.fortheland.org/events for details and registration. 

Go wild at Dutro-Ernst Woods for Nature Play Days! Join Red-tail Land Conservancy on Thursday, June 8 anytime between 10am-12pm for a morning of self-guided outdoor exploration and discovery. As you walk the trail at your own pace, your family will see volunteer naturalists. Each naturalist has a wildlife fact to share about the critters you may see in the woods and prairie. Visit all the naturalists to earn a sticker! There will also be free wildlife coloring sheets.

In addition to visiting with the naturalists, Dutro-Ernst Woods has nature play areas for jumping rock-to-rock and walking on logs. Your family is welcome to go wild at this nature preserve!

This event is free and open to all. No registration is necessary, just show up at your leisure and prepare to have fun. The trail is 1-mile, flat gravel with several “turn-around” points. Dutro-Ernst Woods does not have restroom or water facilities. Please bring enough water to stay hydrated and be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat. This event will take place rain or shine.

Nature Play Days is an annual campaign sponsored by the Indiana Children and Nature Network to provide opportunities for outdoor play. From June 2 – 12, you can find Nature Play Days events happening across the state.

Become a wilderness explorer at Dutro-Ernst Woods for Nature Play Days! Join Red-tail Land Conservancy on Thursday, June 6 from 10-11am for a kid-friendly guided hike designed to spark curiosity about the natural world around us. Our trail leaders will guide young hikers and families through the prairie and forest, with stops along the way to learn about plants and animals, and the magic that can be found in nature.

Our crew will meet at 10am at the nature play area at the entrance of Dutro-Ernst Woods where young explorers are free jump from rock-to-rock and walk on logs. We will end our hike with play time in the “Stick Village” in the shade of the forest. Your family is welcome to go wild at this nature preserve and stay as long as you’d like!

This event is free and open to all. No registration is necessary, just show up and prepare to have fun. The entire trail is 1-mile, flat gravel with several “turn-around” points. The hike will be approximately 1/4 mile.