To restore and preserve the park for quiet enjoyment, environmental education and research.

A large crowd was on hand for our September monarch release lead by biologist Kristin Siewert. Monarch’s have the longest migration of any insect and are the only insect with a two-way migration. Monarch’s roost in Mexico (those living West of the Rockies migrate to California) for the winter. In the spring, they migrate north as far as Canada, live in the North for the summer, and then, their offspring make the return trip south. Participants pretended to be monarch migra

Physical therapist Paula Plaza welcomed an enthusiastic group to Big Rock Park on July 11. She reviewed the importance of exercise and maintaining balance and strength and lead people in outdoor workouts. She was gracious and gave alternative exercises for those who couldn’t keep up with her. Finding an enjoyable location like a park stimulates, motivates and allows you to enjoy being active while surrounded by nature. Moves included squats, woodchoppers, lunges, adductors, a

The first Saturday in May was a beautiful day for foraging and Marion County naturalist Karen Johlas-Szalkowski led an enthusiastic group through Big Rock Park in search of nature’s edibles. She began with a list of safety rules. 1. Tell someone where you are going. 2. Get permission if you want to forage on private property. Be sure to check park rules and regulations before harvesting in public areas. 3. Forage sustainably by not overharvesting and take only what you will u