This page lists upcoming events for Friends of the Sands and our many partners in Newton County, Indiana and counties nearby. If you’d like information specific to volunteering with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Indiana, visit the page Volunteer with The Nature Conservancy in Indiana or visit TNC’s Kankakee Sands webpage. For learn more about volunteering at Beaver Lake Nature Preserve, contact Gus Nyberg (NybergGus@gmail.com). Interested in Friends of the Kankakee? Visit their events calendar.
To receive a weekly email about upcoming events and volunteer workdays for us and our partners, please send a message to Alyssa Nyberg (anyberg@TNC.org) and let her know you would like to be added to her email list. Stay in touch with us on our Facebook page, too!
Please note: all times are Central Time.
SEPTEMBER 2026
Thursday, September 3, from 8 am to 11 am, central time – Collecting Stars Workday at Beaver Lake Nature Preserve, Newton County, IN
This event is hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with DNR. During this workday, the group will be harvesting the seeds of marsh blazing star seed for overseeding DNR restorations in Newton County. Gloves, seed collection bags, and light snacks will be provided. For more information, including meeting location, and to RSVP, contact Gus Nyberg at nyberggus@gmail.com or 765-427-4345
Saturday, September 12, 1 to 3 pm central time – Monarch Migration Celebration
Learn about and participate in Monarch Watch, a citizen science program to capture, tag, and release monarch butterflies as they migrate through Indiana on their journey to Mexico. Even if the weather does not cooperate, we’ll still meet to learn more about this research and why it is done. Children and families especially welcome! Meet at the Kankakee Sands Native Plant Nursery (1492 W 250 N, Morocco, IN). Please RSVP for this event. Contact Jeanette Jaskula (jmjaskula@yahoo.com, call/text 219-869-1004) for more information or to RSVP.
Saturday, September 12, 7 to 9 pm central – Moths of Conrad Station Savanna
Late summer is a great time to discover moths at Kankakee Sands! We’ll use a mercury vapor light to attract moths to a white sheet where we’ll identify each species. Each moth has a fascinating story to tell us about how important the prairies and savannas are to its brief life. We’ll hike the loop trail less than a quarter mile into Conrad Station Savanna to a light station for viewing moths. Ticks and mosquitoes are possible, so plan accordingly. Remember to bring a good flashlight and hiking shoes for exiting the trail after dark. There are no restrooms available at this location. We’ll have a brief introduction to moths at the parking lot before hiking to the light station. Meet at the Conrad Station Savanna Parking lot, located along the gravel road 725 N, EAST of US 41. The parking area is at the bend in the road. GPS coordinates: 41.104766, -87.439496. Please RSVP! For more information and to RSVP, please contact Jeanette Jaskula (jmjaskula@yahoo.com, call/text 219-869-1004).
Friday, September 18, from 10 am to 2 pm, central time – Annual Day of Caring: Kankakee Sands Native Plant Display Garden Weeding and Seed Harvesting Workday, Newton County, IN
This event is hosted by United Way Northwest Indiana, the Jasper Newton Foundation and TNC. Join us in caring for the Native Plant Display Garden at the Kankakee Sands Nursery that spotlights more than 75 of northwest Indiana’s native plant species! On this workday, we will be removing weeds and harvesting seeds, and it is very possible that we will be seeing butterflies and a variety of other pollinators too! Individuals will likely be bending, stooping, and lifting. Long pants and closed toed shoes are recommended, but not required. Gloves and light snacks will be provided. We will be meeting and working at the Kankakee Sands Nursery located at 1492 W 250 N, Morocco, IN. For more information and to RSVP, contact Alyssa Nyberg at anyberg@tnc.org or 219-866-1706.
Sunday, September 20, 11:00 am to 3 pm, central time – Everglades of the North annual float on the Kankakee River
This event is hosted by Indiana Paddling Association in partnership with Newton County SWCD, Newton County Parks, Friends of the Sands, Lower Kankakee Watershed initiative, The Nature Conservancy, Newton County Nature Partnership, Jasper County SWCD and DNR. Enjoy a leisurely, beautiful paddle on the Kankakee River with transportation back to your vehicle provided. This is a great introduction to on-water adventuring if you are new to kayaking or have never been! No experience required for this fun, FREE event! Arrive between 11 and 11:30 am, with all boats on the water by 12 pm. Boats to all be finished with the float by 3 pm for the last shuttle. The put in location is at LaSalle Fish and Wildlife Area and take out point is at State Line Bridge. Kayaks are available to borrow through the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association and the Newton County Park Board, just be sure to RSVP! Register here.
Friday, September 25, 9 am to noon, central time – Conrad Station Savanna Weed Wrangle© Series
Join us every fourth Friday of the month to focus our attention on 15 acres at Conrad Station Savanna. Over the course of a year of workdays and Weed Wrangles, we will be improving this overgrown woodland and creating a flower filled Savanna. We can’t wait to see it in 2027! This month’s workday will focus on removing non-native bittersweet. Meet at the Conrad Station Savanna Parking lot, located along the gravel road 725 N through Conrad Station Savanna. The parking area is at the bend in the road. Gloves, eye protection, tools and snacks will be provided. Please RSVP. For more information and to RSVP, contact Alyssa Nyberg at anyberg@tnc.org or 219-866-1706.
Saturday, September 26, 6 pm to 7:30 pm, central time – Prairie Cairie-in and Hike with Pocket Gophers!, Newton County, IN
This event is hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with TNC. At this evening event, the group will be able to watch the moon rise over the prairie as we hike the Pocket Gopher Trail at the Kankakee Sands nursery. The 1.6 mile trail is flat and will meander along mowed paths. Some of the paths are decorated with large sand piles made by pocket gophers! Bring water and supportive hiking shoes. There may be ticks and mosquitoes, please plan accordingly by wearing long sleaved pants and shirts, and/or insect repellent. After the hike, the group will gather in the Kankakee Sands Greenhouse for a pitch-in carry-in (cairie-in) snack party. Meet at the Kankakee Sands Nursery located at 1492 W 250 N, Morocco, IN 47963. Please RSVP. For more information and to RSVP, contact Jeanette Jaskula at jmjaskula@yahoo.com.
Monday, September 28, 7 pm, central time – “Changing Landscapes of Northwest Indiana:” Talk by Local Author Michael Dobberstein
Join the Newton County Historical Society and Friends of the Sands for an evening presentation by local author Michael Dobberstein on his new book, “Changing Landscapes of Northwest Indiana.” We’ll learn about the draining of Beaver Lake and the channelization of the Kankakee River and how past actions impacted the ecology of the region. Books will be available for purchase.
OCTOBER 2026
Thursday, October 1, 8 am to 11 am, central time – Collecting Common Milkweed, Newton County, IN
This event is hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with DNR. Common milkweed is a very important nectar source for local butterflies and caterpillar food for monarchs. Help collect seeds from the DNR’s Prudential Gamebird Area and enjoy ice cream or a root beer float after the workday. Gloves, seed collection items, water and snacks will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, contact Gus Nyberg at 765-427-4345.
Saturday, October 10, 9 am to 11 am, central time – October BIG DAY Birding Hike at Kankakee Sands
Celebrate fall migration at land trust properties across Indiana while contributing to a global day of community science. Participating in October Big Day means you’re part of a global birding celebration that fuels migration research and conservation. Spend a fall morning exploring Indiana Land Protection Alliance (ILPA) member land trust properties, discover a new birding destination, and add your bird observations—counts, photos, or audio—to a worldwide effort in citizen science. To register, click here. Click on “Get Tickets” to register. In an effort to make events at Kankakee Sands free and open to all, enter the promo code BISON100 at the top of the page when you register. The $5 registration fee will be waived for the BIG DAY hike at Kankakee Sands. We’ll meet at 9:00 am (CENTRAL TIME) at the Kankakee Sands Visitor Welcome Center at 3294 US-41, Morocco, IN 47963. Please contact Jeanette Jaskula (jmjaskula@yahoo.com, 219-869-1004) with questions.
Saturday, October 10, from 9 am to noon, central time – Weed Wrangle© at Rensselaer Central Outdoor Lab, Jasper County, IN
This event is hosted in partnership with Jasper County Weed Control Board, Jasper County SWCD, SICIM, Jasper County Invasives Initiative, and Rensselaer Central Middle School. Join this outdoor workday to learn about invasive species, treatment methods, identification and how to limit the spread of invasive plant species. Then help to manage honeysuckle and other invasive plant species at the Rensselaer Central Outdoor Lab! Wear clothes that can get dirty and close-toed shoes. Bring a water bottle. Gloves, water, snacks and insect repellent will be provided. Meet at Rensselaer Central Middle School located at 1106 Bomber Blvd, Rensselaer, IN. For more information contact Shay Seibring at jcweedcontrolboard@gmail.com or 219-869-7884.
Wednesday, October 21, from 9 am to 3 pm, central time – Rain Garden Restoration Workshop, Jasper County, IN
This event is hosted by Rensselaer Parks and Recreation with Jasper County SWCD. This workshop will focus on learning about and designing raingardens in the morning, and then in the afternoon, the group will get hands-on experience as they work on a rain garden at Potawatomi Park in Rensselaer. Locations: Morning learning session at Rensselaer Library located at 208 W Susan St, Rensselaer. Afternoon outdoor session: Potawatomi Park located at 155 N. Austin Ave, Rensselaer, IN. Program fee: $20. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/JCSWCD. For more information, call 219-869-8216 or email to jaspercountysoilandwater@gmail.com.
Thursday, October 22, 8 am to 11 am, central time – Fence Row Rejuvenation at Beaver Lake Nature Preserve, Newton County, IN
This event is hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with DNR. October into November will see our attention directed at the area in between the DNR and TNC’s burn units on the southside of Beaver Lake Prairie, to reduce the woody trees and encouraging woody shrubs in this land in between. During the workday we will be cutting and stacking brush into brush piles. The group will be meeting in the parking lot located on CR 200 W, south of Beaver Lake Ditch. Gloves, water and snacks will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, contact Gus Nyberg at 765-427-4345.
Friday, October 23, 9 am to noon, central time – Conrad Station Savanna Weed Wrangle© Series
Join us every fourth Friday of the month to focus our attention on 15 acres at Conrad Station Savanna. Over the course of a year of workdays and Weed Wrangles, we will be improving this overgrown woodland and creating a flower filled Savanna. We can’t wait to see it in 2027! This month’s workday will focus on removing honeysuckle and autumn olive. Meet at the Conrad Station Savanna Parking lot, located along the gravel road 725 N through Conrad Station Savanna. The parking area is at the bend in the road. Gloves, eye protection, tools and snacks will be provided. Please RSVP. For more information and to RSVP, contact Alyssa Nyberg at anyberg@tnc.org or 219-866-1706.
Saturday, October 24, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, central time – Conrad by Moonlight Evening Hike, Newton County, IN
This event is hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with TNC. We will start our walk on the Conrad trail in the fading light of the day, stopping to talk about the history of Conrad and finish in the early part of the night under the glow of a day before full moon. The group will be walking along a owed 1.6 mile trail, with sections of uneven ground. The group may encounter mosquitoes as well as ticks. Feel free to bring a flashlight for the last part of the trail, should the moon decide not to join us. For more information and to RSVP, contact Jeanette Jaskula at jmjaskula@yahoo.com or at 219-869-1004.
Thursday, October 29, 8 am to 11 am, central time – Fence Row Rejuvenation at Beaver Lake Nature Preserve, Newton County, IN
This event is hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with DNR. October into November will see our attention directed at the area in between the DNR and TNC’s burn units on the southside of Beaver Lake Prairie, to reduce the woody trees and encouraging woody shrubs in this land in between. During the workday we will be cutting and stacking brush into brush piles. The group will be meeting in the parking lot located on CR 200 W, south of Beaver Lake Ditch. Gloves, water and snacks will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, contact Gus Nyberg at 765-427-4345.
Saturday, October 31, 2 pm to 4 pm, central time – Mid-fall Hike at Beaver Lake Nature Preserve, Newton County, IN
This event is hosted by Friends of the Sands in partnership with DNR. October 31 is the halfway point in the fall, and we will mark this point with a walk into the prairie to see the work that is being done to bring back species to the site. The walk will meander off-trail into the prairie across relatively level terrain with some uneven footing. Halloween-themed treats to be shared. Meet at the Beaver Lake Parking Area located on 200 W, south of Beaver Lake Ditch. For more information and to RSVP, contact Gus Nyberg at 765-427-4345.
NOVEMBER 2026
Friday, November 27, 9 am to noon, central time – Conrad Station Savanna Weed Wrangle© Series
Join us every fourth Friday of the month to focus our attention on 15 acres at Conrad Station Savanna. Over the course of a year of workdays and Weed Wrangles, we will be improving this overgrown woodland and creating a flower filled Savanna. We can’t wait to see it in 2027! This month’s workday will focus on removing honeysuckle and autumn olive. Meet at the Conrad Station Savanna Parking lot, located along the gravel road 725 N through Conrad Station Savanna. The parking area is at the bend in the road. Gloves, eye protection, tools and snacks will be provided. Please RSVP. For more information and to RSVP, contact Alyssa Nyberg at anyberg@tnc.org or 219-866-1706.
Friends of the Sands 