ROW convenes community partners to enhance the quality of life through innovation, analysis, cultural advancement and investment along Indy waterways and in neighborhoods.
Citizens Science Reconnects Hoosier with Community and Nature
For the fifth year, Indiana Sciences and a coalition of partners are challenging Indianapolis residents and surrounding communities to stay connected with the urban wildlife around them by becoming citizen scientists. People of all ages are encouraged to participate in the “social distancing edition” of the 2021 globalCity Nature Challengefrom April 30 – May 3, 2021.
Joining Indiana Sciences to engage Hoosiers across the state include Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW), Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB), Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF), Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA), Indianapolis Office of Sustainability (Sustain Indy), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Indy Parks and Recreation.
“When citizens of all ages can be in nature and identify the diversity of species that exist across the state, it helps them understand the interconnected ecosystems that link all plants, animals, insects, waterways and human,” said Rufus Cochran, state coordinator with Indiana Sciences. “Not only does this fun challenge lead to better understanding, it can also lead to better care of these natural resources.”
The Indiana City Nature Challenge (#IndyCNC) offers Hoosiers an opportunity for friendly competition between Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and other major cities in the Midwest. From 2018 to 2020, over 1,000 citizen scientists have completed over 11,000 observations during Indianapolis’ three years participating in the City Nature Challenge.
In response to the pandemic and the need for distancing, partners are organizing “self-guided” events. Organizers encourage folks to participate in their own yard, or green-spaces and parks, while staying safe following appropriate social distancing.
ROW sees this as an opportunity for individuals to rediscover wonder and beauty in the natural world as spring brings new growth and we continue to take pandemic precautions. We especially welcome people to explore the unique plant, animal and insect life around our waterways.
Both budding and veteran citizen scientists are encouraged to participate by:
Finding wildlife. It can be any plant, animal, fungi, slime mold, or any other evidence of life (scat, fur, tracks, shells, carcasses!) found in your participating city.
Taking a picture of what you find, and noting the location of the critter or plant.
Sharing your observations by uploading your findings on our iNaturalistproject!
Plan now to find your #IndyCNC event and download the app so you are ready to take the challenge and be a citizen scientist.
The City Nature Challenge has expanded to more than 300 cities in over 40 countries across the globe. Kicking off April 30 at 12:01 am in each time zone, the Challenge runs through May 3, 11:59 pm; then citizen scientists will verify identifications until May 9. The multi-city, global event calls on current and aspiring citizen scientists, nature and science enthusiasts, and people of all ages and science backgrounds to observe and submit pictures of plants and wildlife using the free appiNaturalist. Indianapolis participants should add observations to the “City Nature Challenge 2021 Indianapolis” project in iNaturalist. Results will be announced on May 10.
In the Know with ROW: ROW and its partners will be hosting a virtual training in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for details soon on ROW’s Facebook page to sign up and participate in the free event, organized in partnership with ROW's Ecology Committee.
Partner Spotlight: Central Indiana Community Foundation
Since ROW's inception in 2012, Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) has been a critical strategic and financial partner. CICFs annual funding contribution has continued to provide capacity for ROWs work, and especially for ROW's collective backbone. In addition, CICF's support has helped ROW in its efforts to work in Indianapolis neighborhoods to lift up communities around its waterway. And to this day, CICF has and is engaged in many levels of the collective -- Steering Committee, Waterways and Elements. CICF's mission towards building a more equitable Indianapolis has also helped the collective be more intentional in its neighborhood work to ensure diverse voices and ideas are heard.
We are pleased to announce that CICF has approved a 2021 funding allocation under its Neighborhood Empowerment & Placemaking Grant program. The $75,000 grant will help ROW support its staff and Seed Grants for our committees to implement projects. CICF is helping ROW's leadership attend Interrupting Racism for Childrentraining to progress our equity work. Thank you to CICF for their support of our mission in this important contribution.
Not just an important funding partner, CICF has taken a great interest in our waterway neighborhoods. Pictured here, CICF representatives Brian Payne and Alphons Van Adrichem joining members of Indy Parks and Pleasant Run residents to discuss trail maintenance partnerships.
More Coloring Pages Available
ROW has added three new coloring pages to promote waterway engagement and care. Initiated by ROW's Central Canal Committee in 2020 to distribute with food boxes, ROW is working with local artist, Tyeesha Bradley, to create a series of coloring pages to educate kids and their parents
Provided in English and Spanish, ROW has added three new pages, including these themes:
Fishing for Fun
Refillable Water Bottles
Water Safety
These new pages join coloring pages on native plantings, litter clean up and the need for clean water for hand washing and more. Download any of these coloring pages here. We can also provide a quantity of printed pages and crayons for our waterway and other partners upon request.
In the Know with ROW: Litter, Dumping and CleanUps
Join ROW and our partners on Tuesday, April 20, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. for another In the Know with ROW virtual event.
One great way to get involved with ROW is to participate in a Waterway or Element Committee! Find details on the ROW events page or contact andrea@ourwaterways.org for meeting locations and to get connected.
Tree Planting in Hawthorne Neighborhood
On April 3rd from 9 a.m. - noon, Keep Indianapolis Beautifulwill lead volunteers in a tree planting event near White River in Hawthorne Neighborhood. Over 100 native trees will be planted in three hours. Masks required and Covid-19 precautions will be taken. No experience needed and the whole family can participate. Sign up to volunteer here.
ROW's Exploration Maps Now Available Around Indy
Last year, ROW launched an on-line Exploration & Celebration Guide as part of it's annual ROWPort. Now our Waterway Committees are helping bring a printed version of the Exploration Guide to locations all across Indianapolis and in our waterway neighborhoods.
Beautifully designed to highlight points of interest, destinations, informational signage, art and nature installations and more, these maps provide additional information about ROW partner efforts as well as ways to stay safe in our natural spaces during the pandemic.
Go to the Exploration & Celebration Along Our Waterways webpage to see the complete list of locations where you can pick up a guide and begin your adventure along any one of ROW's six waterways.
Last year, ROW launched an on-line 
