Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
May 3
May 4
May 5
May 6
May 7
Wed. Bird Walk: Migration Mania
Get ready for the greatest show on earth: spring migration! This year, we’re ramping things up with a full morning of birding at River Preserve’s best migration-magnet hotspots. All flavors of spring migrants can be expected this time of year here, including tanagers, vireos, and warblers. With luck, we’ll find over 60 species – all before lunch! We’ll get an early start at 7:30 am at the Benton Dam, then speed-bird our way through the preserve with short site-to-site carpooling and hikes. The exact route and pacing will be up to the discretion of the leaders based on target species and bird activity, so be ready to move at peregrine speed! The group will head out at 8 a.m. — please plan travel time accordingly.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧: Come prepared to speed-bird in a series of site-to-site hikes.
𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗥: Hiking boots and weather-ready layers.
May 7
May 11
Wild Edibles
Spring always provides such a bountiful display of delicious wild edibles, if you know what to look for. Please join us as we experience mother nature at her best. A sampling of these delicious springtime delicacies will include fried dandelions, wild leek with bacon and stinging nettle soup rich in vitamin C and so delicious with wild mint tea. Come for the food, stay for the hike.
May 16
Fighting Irish Football Book Talk
Football and photography fans are invited to learn about the history of Notre Dame’s legendary football program through pictures. Authors Charles Lamb and Elizabeth Hogan offer a behind-the-scenes look at their recent book on the photography of Notre Dame football throughout the program’s history. Copies of the book will be available for signing and purchase.
May 17
Hoosier Riverwatch Workshop
This basic training is an introduction to the Hoosier Riverwatch program and different hands-on water quality monitoring methods. Participants will learn about aquatic habitats and will be trained in chemical and biological assessment techniques. The session will be held in and out-of-doors. All interested persons, age 18 and over,
are welcome to attend free of charge. No previous experience necessary.
May 17
Feature Grain Day
Red Corn is the feature grain this month. Red cornmeal has a nuttier flavor than yellow cornmeal and is great for any cornmeal recipe. All feature grain days in 2025 will highlight a grain that is not a normal part of our line-up. The resulting flour/meal will be a LIMITED EDITION, product available for a short time. Make sure to attend to get yours before it’s gone. Grinding demonstrations of Red Corn will take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
May 19
May 20
Hiking Club
Hiking Club meets once per month to hike for health, friends and fun. The hike takes place in a different location each month but is always on the third Tuesday of the month at 6pm. The May hike takes place in Middlebury at Krider “World’s Fair” Garden. We’ll follow the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail towards Goshen. Learn about our parks, meet new people and let the fun begin. This hike is mostly flat terrain and is about 2 miles in length.
May 21
May 22
Open House at the Schoolhouse
Grab your schoolbooks and step back a century as you explore the One-room Schoolhouse at Bonneyville Mill County Park. Imagine yourself a student sitting in one of the small wooden desks, practicing your handwriting on the heavy slate boards, while keeping warm next to the wood-burning stove. As you catch a glimpse of what life was like for the average run-of-the-mill student, staff will be on-site to answer any questions you may have during
these open hours.
May 23
Cobus Family Campout
Bring your friends and family on an overnight adventure. Enjoy an evening wildlife hike, treats over the fire, and other naturalist-led activities for all ages. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday. Tents are available to borrow, if needed. The event runs 6 p.m. Friday – 1 p.m. Saturday.
May 29
Yoga in the Park
Join Registered Yoga Teacher Amanda for an hour of empowering yoga in the parks. Enjoy guided practice welcoming of all skill levels in a relaxing park environment. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring water and their own mats – a limited number of mats will be available for use. Participants must register in advance.
May 29
Creatures of the Night: The Twilight Zone
As night falls, the places we spend time outdoors can feel like a very different place. Familiar trails melt into shadows and the daytime soundscape is replaced with things that go bump in the night as nocturnal creatures come out to play. Join the Elkhart County Parks as we lift night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of these creatures of the night, from spiders weaving webs to bats on the wing.
In May – You’re moving into a land of both shadow of substance…of things and ideas. You’ve crossed over into the twilight zone…A wonderous land where bog suckers, snipe, and nighthawks aren’t just a figment of your imagination. Come wander with us into the dimension of these dark fliers and discover how real they truly are.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧: Come prepared for a 2-mile hike. This hike is weather-dependent. Please check the event page for updates before heading out.
𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗥: Hiking boots, flashlight, and weather-ready layers.
Meet at Rieth Interpretive Center (Millrace Park, 410 West Plymouth Ave, Goshen, IN).
May 31
Bison Ranch
Discover the rich history and near demise of the great North American Bison on a tour of Cook’s Bison Ranch in Wolcottville. Participants will learn about the natural history of bison, visit the herd up close on a covered wagon ride, and enjoy a delicious bison burger meal. Don’t miss this chance to see and touch these magnificent behemoths! We will provide transportation for the first 10 participants wanting a ride. All others will need to provide their own transportation. If you’d rather meet directly at the ranch our tour begins at 11:00 a.m. The address is 5645 E. 600 S., Wolcottville, IN 46795.
