Name: Prairie Border Hike AND Sandhill Crane Migration with The Nature Conservancy
Start: 2024-12-07T14:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-12-07T18:00:00-05:00

**[PLEASE FILL OUT The Outdoor Afro WAIVER.](https://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip-waiver) Please copy/paste the event name from Meetup into the Event name line; choose the correct date; and put my name, Alex Richards, as the trip leader.**

Join us on Saturday, December 7th to experience one of Indiana's coolest nature moments.

Every year more than 20,000 Sandhill Cranes gather in northern Indiana in one of the largest fall migration stopover points. The cranes hang out in local farm and prairie fields during the day, but just before sunset all 20,000 of them gather at a watering hole to socialize. This year Outdoor Afro Indianapolis will be there to witness this phenomenon!

We'll meet earlier in the afternoon (2pm EST/1pm CST) at [Prairie Border Nature Preserve](https://maps.app.goo.gl/zdER8fjyii5Tu8EJA), where local TNC Guide Katey Powell will take us through a winter prairie/savannah landscape over the 1.5 mile loop trail. She'll share some of the features of the land and help us spot birds (heard there might be some red headed woodpeckers and a couple golden eagles).

Afterwards, we'll drive a couple miles to the [Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife](https://maps.app.goo.gl/P51rJtqzhUR3WSmi9) area where we'll wait for the sandhill cranes to join us at sunset.
**Cost:** No cost for the event other than time and gas
**Location Information:**

* **Location 1** \- Prairie Border Hike is located at 11713 N 400 E\, Wheatfield\, IN 46392\. This location has a moderate amount of parking available and MAYBE a port\-a\-potty for restrooms\.

* **Location 2** \- The Sandhill Crane Observation Tower is located at 5750 County Rd 1650 W\, Medaryville\, IN 47957\. There are restrooms nearby at the Jasper\-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area\.

**Time:** We will meet at Location 1 at 2pm EST/1pm CST. The hike will take 1 -1.5 hours. We will then drive 10ish mins to Location 2 and will be there till around sunset (6pm EST / 5pm CST)

**Clothing/Weather:** Make sure to bundle up as December weather can be quite cold, and since we'll be so far from home I strongly recommend packing a lunch/snacks so you don't get too hungry. **Also, we've been asked to wear ORANGE or other bright colors as there may be hunters in the area.** Check out REIs post about layering: [Layering Basics](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html)

**What to Bring:** Water, snacks / dinner, a thermos w/ a warm beverage, binoculars / telephoto lens for camera, water, LAYERS, hand warmers, etc. If you have questions about what to bring, please reach out.

**Restrooms:** I've been told that Location 1 might have a port-a-potty and Location 2 has RR a short drive away. That being said, when coming up I-65, there is the [Fair Oaks Farms gas station](https://maps.app.goo.gl/95Xq6Ws9rTee5FM78) that can be used. There is also the small towns of Stoutsburg and Wheatfield that you will pass through on the way to the Prairie Border Hike. There's a few places to stop there, but not many.

**Questions: Please reach out to me using either the Event Discussion board or DM me directly.**

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Have you filled out the Outdoor Afro waiver? https://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip-waiver

Prairie Border Hike AND Sandhill Crane Migration with The Nature Conservancy

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