Group Hike: Columbia Mine Preserve

Join us for a guided group hike through the Columbia Mine Preserve, a hidden gem of ecological richness in southwestern Indiana. We’ll explore all the available trails, winding through a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, and bottomland forests that support an impressive diversity of plant and animal life. As we hike, we’ll take time to botanize, observing native wildflowers, wetland species, and prairie grasses, and discussing the ecological restoration that has transformed this former surface mine into a vibrant habitat. Columbia Mine provides habitat for more than 200 species of birds, including prothonotary warblers, American bitterns, and bald eagles, as well as an array of amphibians, pollinators, and wetland-dependent plants. This is a great opportunity for nature lovers of all levels to learn more about Indiana’s native ecosystems and enjoy a peaceful walk through one of the state’s most successful restoration sites. This hike will be held 9am to noon Eastern, 8 to 11am Central. It was rescheduled from July 27 to September 20 due to rain.