Erosion
The primary pollutant in the White River
What is Sediment?
Known for its bright yellow fall color, this tree is also the state tree of Indiana.
What is the Tulip Tree?
This fast-spreading vine has evergreen leaves, was once planted as ground cover, and now smothers native plants and trees.
What is Winter Creeper?
This playful mammal was once nearly extinct in Indiana but has made a big comeback—and loves to slide on mud and snow.
What is the River Otter?
Once endangered, this massive bird of prey is now a common sight along the river—and can be identified by its white head and tail.
What is the Bald Eagle?
These plants help stop soil erosion.
What are Native Plants?
This plant, famous for causing itchy rashes, can grow as a vine or shrub and follows the rhyme “leaves of three, let it be.”
What is poison ivy?
Originally from Asia, this shrub takes over forest edges and leafs out early in spring, shading out native wildflowers.
What is Honeysuckle?
This furry swimmer looks like a small beaver with a rat-like tail and builds dome-shaped lodges out of vegetation.
What is a Muskrat?
Standing up to 4 feet tall, this wading bird hunts fish in shallow water and flies with its neck curled into an “S” shape.
What is the Great Blue Heron?
The formal name for the riverbanks, or land adjacent to the river.
What is the Riparian Zone?
This towering native tree drops fluffy white seeds in spring, often blanketing the riverbank like snow.
What is the Cottonwood?
Often mistaken for a fern underwater, this aquatic invader clogs streams and is nearly impossible to remove by hand.
What is Eurasian watermilfoil?
Recognized by its white tail and impressive leaping ability, this animal is often seen near forest edges and river corridors
What is a White-Tailed Deer?
This fish-hunting bird dives feet-first into the river and builds huge stick nests on utility poles and dead trees.
What is the Osprey?
Parking lots, buildings, and roads are examples of this type of surface.
What is an Impermeable Surface?
This tall summer wildflower features globe-like clusters of flowers and is a host plant for monarchs.
What is Milkweed?
This woodland invader smells like garlic when crushed and releases chemicals into the soil that harm native plants.
What is Garlic Mustard?
This skilled engineer builds dams and lodges, shaping wetland ecosystems and creating habitat for many other species.
What is a Beaver?
You’ll often hear this bird’s raspy scream before you see it soaring in wide circles above open fields or rivers.
What is the Red-Tailed Hawk?
Only 15% on this type of land still remains in Indiana.
What are Wetlands?
This tree, often found in floodplains, is one of the fastest-growing hardwoods in Indiana.
What is the Sycamore Tree?
This tall grass may look like a lush field near the river, but it forms dense monocultures that outcompete native wetland plants and provide poor habitat for wildlife.
What is Reed Canary Grass?
This burrowing mammal, is a member of the squirrel family and is famous for predicting the weather.
What is a Groundhog/Woodchuck?
This small bird builds mud nests under bridges and overhangs and performs acrobatic flights to catch insects in the air.
What is the Cliff Swallow?