Friends Meetings - We meet the 2nd Thursday of the month  at the Nature Center from 6-7 p.m. Special business meetings may be called for the Board Chairperson as needed. E-mail with questions.

Trash Pick-up (varies) – The Park Naturalist sponsors specific day/times for such events usually targeted at areas of need. In early 2022, high school students working service hours did clean-up on some specific needy areas. Several Friends, while just enjoying hiking, will carry a small bag to pick up any trash left along the roads or trails. It’s a small spontaneous act of stewardship that anyone can do - including you! Scheduled events are publicized on the Park’s Facebook page and we generally share those posts on our Facebook page.

Invasive Species Control (varies) - We participate in Park-sponsored removal of Garlic Mustard, a major invasive, as well as others. In addition, we have begun a routine program of Friends-led invasive species control for the park, beginning in summer 2023 along Trail 8.

Grants

Up-coming Park events can be found at the Park Website: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/clifty-falls-state-park/nature-center-and-events/

Photos of projects and events can be found on our Facebook page.

Continuing or up-coming Friends events 

• colorblind viewer installation

• monthly meetings

2023 completed efforts

• finished painting trail blazes (Jan-Feb 2023)

• transplanted and protected new trees at the campground (Feb 2023)

• assisted at Madison Consolidated High School service day, working with Park Staff and student volunteers to remove invasive species from the area between the Nature Center and Inn Annex road (March 2, 2023)

• made and sold Bluebird nest boxes for the Build-a-Bluebird nest box program (March 18, 2023)

• sponsored spring Indiana Master Naturalist’s meeting and lunch, sold left-over bluebird boxes (April 1, 2023)

• conducted an intense trail cleanup and debris removal from Trail 7 (May 4, 2023)

• purchased and donated loppers to the Park and Nature Center (May, 2023)

• sponsored a trail clean-up on Trails 1 and 3 for National Trails Day - June 3, 2023

• sponsored a "From Fiber to Yarn" craft on June 10, 2023 at Clifty Inn

• provided door prizes, sponsored the Saturday lunch, help judge the campers and otherwise assisted the 2023 Vintage Camper Rally held June 23-25

• helped set up the Park's float for the 4th of July Madison Regatta parade (June 2023)

• began Friends invasive species removal project on Trail 8 (August 20023)

• developed StoryWalk® activity with the Jefferson Co. Public Library (prepped site July 10, 2023; installed September 5, 2023; ribbon cutting 9/24/23). See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw-p1TPYnvA for what a StoryWalk® is about)

• Historic Hike and Trash Pick-up in celebration of  National Public Lands Day (9/24/23 )

• received grants for invasive plant species control and a Chimney Swift  tower (summer 2023)

• Clifty Falls of Fear Halloween Haunted House and events over the Halloween weekend and the weekend before ( 10/20-21/23 and 10/27-28/23 - a great fundraiser! 

• helped Hanover College Green Panther Club (the college's nature appreciation group) to replace the timber frame around the garden next to the Nature Center (November 12, 2023)

• attended and helped sponsor the 2023 Annual Statewide Friends Gathering at Clifty Inn (November 18, 2023)

• worked with Park employees and management on grant applications including  color-blind viewers (various)

Underway/Continuing

• continuing invasive species control work on Trail 8

• grant applications

• volunteering at the Nature Center and assisting the Park Staff

Up-coming possibles Friends projects, activities, and events 

• ADA trail

• new playground equipment

• Solar Eclipse - Monday, April 8, 2024 (partial eclipse here)