This could be in your yard soon. | Photo by INDYtoday team
Interested in becoming a conservationist right here in Indy? It’s easier than you think.
You can make your front yard, balcony, container garden, roadside greenspace, or work landscape a certified wildlife habitat in just a few steps. Plus, we’re sharing some bonus ways you can become more sustainable in Indy.
Step one
Ensure your habitat provides food year round. Seeds from a plant, foliage, nuts, sap, and suet are just a few of the types of food you can use — you’ll need a total of three to qualify for certification.
Step two
Solidify a clean water plan. There are several different routes you can take, including the incorporation of a lake or stream, adding a birdbath to your area, and creating a rain garden.
Step three
Create a place of shelter from weather extremes. You’ll need to implement at least two forms of coverage, from evergreens, to a rock wall, to a log pile.
Step four
Give wildlife a place to raise their young. This type of spot can be something like a mature tree, a pond, or a cave. You’ll need at least two places for certification.
Step five
Maintain your habitat in a sustainable way. You should conserve soil and water when you can, control exotic species, and eliminate things like chemical fertilizers and pesticides from your maintenance practices.
Not quite ready to host your own habitat, but still want to be more sustainable around Indy? We have a few suggestions:
Follow Indiana Wildlife Federation on social media for tips on native plants, what to do if you’ve found a baby bird, and the qualities of different wildflowers.
Volunteer with the Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy to help preserve landscapes + waterways statewide.
Get involved with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful by applying for new trees in your area, adopting a block, and becoming a KIB ambassador.
Tabata in the Park | Tuesday, May 9 | 12-12:30 p.m. | White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Meet behind the NCAA for a lunchtime workout led by a group of fitness instructors.
Wednesday, May 10
Western Book Club | Wednesday, May 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Join the discussion of “Learning to See: A Novel of Dorothea Lange” by Elise Hooper + explore different cultural values and points of view.
Thursday, May 11
Fairy Doll Ballet with Indiana Ballet Conservatory | Thursday, May 11 | 11-11:30 a.m. | Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel | Free | Bring the kids to see the fairy dolls come to life + meet their favorite characters.
Friday, May 12
Gimme Gimme Disco | Friday, May 12 | 8 p.m. | The Vogue Theatre, 6259 N. College Ave., Indianapolis | $15-$200 | Calling all dancing queens: this DJ-based dance party will be playing hits from the 70s + 80s, so wear your disco attire.
Saturday, May 13
Plan’t Stop, Won’t Stop | Saturday, May 13 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The AMP at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd., Indianapolis | Free | Shop for plants and plant-related gifts at this market featuring 50+ vendors, pet adoptions, educational courses, and a Planty Pageant.
Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings | Saturday, May 13 | 1 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | $15-$170 | See the Fever in their final preseason tune-up before the regular season starts next week.
Affordable housing is in the works for Carmel. Nonprofit Village of Merici + Old Town Companies are collaborating to build 40 apartments for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the northern section of Carmel. The apartments received more than 200 applications and a lottery was held to determine the residents. (IndyStar)
Fort Wayne’s Mad Ants are making a beeline to Noblesville. The NBA G League team will have a new home in a $36.5 million, 3,400-seat venue at Finch Creek Park. Until the new venue is completed, the Mad Ants will play their 2023-24 season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Opening
Centerpoint is growing. The Windsor Park brewery announced it will be opening a second location in Broad Ripple at 6320 Guildford Ave. on Saturday, May 20. It’s partnering up with 317 BBQ and will be both family- and dog-friendly.
Biz
Taylor’s Bakery has a new owner, but there are no changes planned for the 110-year-old pastry spot. The fourth-generation owners sold the business because they wanted to spend more time with their families. Both Taylor’s locations were included in the transaction and the ingredients are expected to stay the same. (IBJ)
Fishers-based Eko Solutions LLC has transformed shipping containers into 59 long-term + short-term affordable homes since it was founded in 2020. It offers five models ranging from 320-sqft to 1,280-sqft homes and plans to expand its production in Marion by purchasing a vacant plant in the next 6-10 months. (IBJ)
Sports
The Colts have released quarterback Nick Foles as of Friday. The veteran player lost both of his starts last year + the move will save about $2 million in salary cap space for the team. It will also create room for 12 rookies who were recently added from the draft. (WTHR)
Hoosier
Ben Davis alumna Lauren Cheney Holiday was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame over the weekend. She was part of the US team that won the 2015 Women’s World Cup and has won gold medals in the 2008 + 2012 Olympic Games. Congrats, Lauren. (WRTV)
Event
Heads up, Trevor Noah fans. Yesterday, we shared his “Off the Record” tour date that was originally planned for tomorrow, May 10 at Old National Centre. Turns out the event has been postponed to Friday, March 8, 2024.
Edu
New principals will be arriving at eight Indianapolis Public Schools as part of the Rebuilding Stronger plan in the 2023-23 school year. Most of the affected schools will be incorporating Montessori, STEM, or International Baccalaureate programming the following school year. See the list of schools. (IBJ)
Kids
Two words: free bowling. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free to connect with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling every day this summer. Plus, grab a Family Pass + up to four adults can join in on the fun.
Now, we want to put you in the director’s chair. If you were making a movie in the Circle City, where would you film a fight scene? Which local restaurant would be the perfect backdrop for a dinner debate? Where could you picture an alien abduction taking place?
Give us your cinematic suggestions + we’ll share the most compelling settings in an upcoming newsletter.
Speaking of Centerpoint, I was at its trivia night a couple of weeks ago and it was quite a challenging evening of questions. Where’s your go-to spot for trivia? Share your recs and I might compile a list into an upcoming story.
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