The Bloomington Ecological Services Field Office, Indiana, participated in the annual Vigo County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Conservation/Environmental Field Days, September 14. 

The program brings together conservation staff from the Service, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation District, universities (St. Mary of the Woods College and Indiana State University), NGOs, and others to present an educational program to every fifth grade student in Vigo County, one of the largest school corporations in the state. 

Topics included: wetlands, soils, erosion, bats, forestry, water quality, recycling, area planning, various agriculture topics, and endangered species presented by Bloomington Field Office staff.

The Service presentation focused on the definition of an endangered species and what factors cause plants and animals to become endangered.  Using Cargo for Conservation and other resources, staff provided examples of animals that are endangered in Indiana (species of mussels and bats) and species endangered around the world.