Critters take over as programming starts at new amphitheater

MEADOWBROOK NATURE PRESERVE

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Siblings Mattie Goodlow, 10, and Johnny Goodlow, 8, of Portage, work on decorating their birdhouses as they attend the Capes, Crowns and Critters program at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve Saturday. It’s one of the first events hosted at the new amphitheater on the property. Deena Butterfield/photos for Post-Tribune

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Jasper the Eastern screech owl is one of the ambassadors at Humane Indiana Wildlife. Jasper was a guest for Capes, Crowns and Critters Saturday, at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve. Pictured with Jasper is Nicole Harmon, director of the rehab center.

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By Deena Butterfield Post-Tribune

Meadowbrook Nature Preserve hosted one of its first events at the newly built amphitheater, located on the property on 700 North in Liberty Township.

“Capes, Crown and Critters” took place on Saturday in partnership with organizations including Humane Indiana Wildlife.

Kids and their families were welcomed to Meadowbrook to show off a costume, learn about wildlife, meet Smokey Bear, dissect an owl pellet and decorate a birdhouse. South Haven Library volunteers were present for puppet show storytelling.

Nicole Harmon, director of Humane Indiana Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center, brought with her three wildlife ambassadors for her presentation, including Eastern screech owl Jasper, which is common in Northwest Indiana.

“Each owl species makes their own individual noises, and within those species, they each make over 20 different sounds,” said Harmon. “When we are taught that an owl hoots, that is such a minuscule understanding of the sounds they make.”

The Eastern screech owl is also a secondary cavity nester, which means they live in places that are not made by them.

“Jasper will not be able to ever be released because of an injury to the left side of his face,” said Harmon. “We believe that a hawk may have reached into the cavity nest with his talons and grabbed out baby Jasper, causing puncture wounds, injuring parts of him that are necessary to live in the wild.”

Humane Indiana has been the largest rehab center in the state for the past five years, taking in 25,000 animals to date.

Jim Haniford, volunteer coordinator for Shirley Heinze Land Trust, attended the event with his daughter, Amelia, 6.

“I’ve been working with the Shirley Heinze Trust for years and I get the inside scoop on the activities here,” said Haniford. “My daughter loves animals and this was the perfect thing for her to do.”

Meadowbrook’s amphitheater was completed in the spring through several donors, which were matched by the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, and additional support from Porter County Government.

“We are looking to host a variety of events in the coming years, from outdoor concerts and plays to educational presentations, and beyond,” said Mari Patis, programs coordinator for Shirley Heinze Trust. “We want the amphitheater to be a community gathering space, whether it’s for events we’re hosting or if local groups need a place to gather.

“The amphitheater, along with the other amenities at Meadowbrook, will allow for a wider variety of audiences and events to be hosted at the preserve,” said Patis.

Meadowbrook Nature Preserve is 300 acres of moraine forest, wetlands, streams, and agricultural lands, filled with several trails and a rich variety of wildlife.

A current list of events at the amphitheater can be found at www.heinzetrust.org/events and includes live music, presentations on local wildlife, a poetry workshop and other family-friendly events.

Deena Butterfield is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.