Indiana Natural Resources Foundation

Kids to Parks Day is Saturday, May 16! The national day of outdoor play is a great opportunity to allow kids to explore the outdoors and teach them about conservation, outdoor recreation, and our natural resources.

Through Discover the Outdoors, our field trip grant program offered in partnership with Indiana State Parks, we seek to give Hoosier students these experiences year-round. Learn more about Discover the Outdoors and how you can support outdoor education at bit.ly/Discover-the-Outdoors

Our friends at Moontown Brewing Company recently presented us with a donation from the last six beers in the Pints for Parks series! 🍻

We’re thankful to be on this journey with Moontown and each of you who continue to support the Pints for Parks series and Indiana’s outdoors! The 18th beer in the series, Cecil M. Harden Lake, is available now at Moontown while supplies last.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Happy Little 5K this year! More than 1,600 of you ran for the trees, the second most among the 18 participating states. Some of our staff enjoyed completing the 5K at Fort Harrison State Park 🌳🏅

Your continued participation in this event supports healthy forest initiatives in Indiana State Parks, such as helping McCormick’s Creek heal after the 2023 tornado. Learn more about that special project at IndianaNRF.org/running-for-the-trees

Our 2026 Spring Newsletter is here! Within its pages you'll find updates on a recent land acquisition project at Harrison-Crawford State Forest and highlights of other special programs that are thriving thanks to your support.

Read the newsletter at IndianaNRF.org/spring-newsletter-2026

🍻Pints for Parks continues with Cecil M Harden 🍻

Moontown has released the next beer in the unique series just in time for these longer, warm days! Visit a Moontown location to try the newest installment. Please drink responsibly.

Indiana State Parks Raccoon SRA (Cecil M. Harden Lake)

Happy Earth Day! 🌳🌱

It was a great day to celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day at Prophetstown State Park. Our partners at Huston Solar added another 3,000 trees to the property, continuing their annual tradition of supporting the Indiana Tree Project and Indiana’s outdoors!

If you want to join us in celebrating Indiana’s special natural resources this week, consider donating toward Hoosier conservation at IndianaNRF.org/donate

📸: (1) A sapling from Huston's 2025 planting growing nearby the 2026 planting site, (2) the group of Huston volunteers, (3) volunteers planting trees next to the 2025 planting site.

As we prepare to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day next week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the natural beauty that surrounds us here in Indiana. From supporting outdoor education to acquiring new public lands, the INRF supports Indiana DNR in preserving Indiana’s natural resources for generations to come.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays and Indiana’s outdoors, consider giving back to the outdoor places that make Indiana special 🌱🌳

Learn more about our work and support Hoosier conservation at IndianaNRF.org

The school year may be winding down but there are still plenty of Discover the Outdoors field trips taking place at Indiana State Parks! Applications are accepted for trips in the 2026-27 school year through April 30.

This time last year, we joined a group of students as they explored Indiana’s natural and cultural history at Lincoln State Park. Look back at that story and get a glimpse into a Discover the Outdoors field trip at indiananrf.org/discovering-the-outdoors-in-lincolns-boyhood-home/

❗Last call for the Happy Little 5K❗

If you want to run for the trees later this month, now is your chance to sign up! Registration is extended until April 10 or until the event sells out and includes a t-shirt, medial, and racing bib. Your participation supports healthy forest initiatives in Indiana State Parks 🌳

🔗 runsignup.com/happylittletrees

There’s still time to apply for Discover the Outdoors field trip grants! Until April 30, educators can apply for up to $500 in funding for field trips to Indiana State Parks properties.

Working with dedicated DNR staff, educators can take the classroom outside and explore Indiana’s natural habitats, conservation, cultural history, and more. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/Discover-the-Outdoors

Did you catch our March e-newsletter? Updates include:
🌳Today is the last day to register for the Happy Little 5K!
👋Meet our new board member
🌱Discover the Outdoors application window is open

Check out the newsletter below and join our e-newsletter list to receive stories and updates each month!

March News & Notes Email from Indiana Natural Resources Foundation Happy Little 5K deadline, meet our new board member, and more! March Newsletter Last Call for Happy Little 5K Registration If you're considering running