About this event
Join us for our new monthly hiking group here at Merry Lea, the Merry Lea Milers! During our time together, we will hear from a guest speaker about various nature-related topics while eating some lunch. Afterwards, we will spend the rest of our time hiking and exploring around the property. Please wear weather appropriate clothing, closed-toe shoes, bring a sack lunch and a water bottle.
This month, learn about urban wildlife with Jessica Merkling. She is the Urban Wildlife Biologist for Indiana DNR, Division of Fish, Wildlife, & Nature Preserves. Jessica will present on the importance of urban habitat, why it’s important, and what we can all do to benefit wildlife. Her roles are to help people co-exist with wildlife, create wildlife habitat and provide education and outreach while incorporating green infrastructure and sustainability. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Indianapolis and received her M.S. in Biology from Purdue University Fort Wayne for her research on environmental DNA and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes.