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Northwest editioN reachiNg seNiors iN illiaNa: cook, lake & Porter couNties
September 2024
Vol. 28, No. 6
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
BLUEBIRD WATCH — Jo and John Brugos of Valparaiso, volunteers at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue University Northwest in Valparaiso, stand beside a bluebird box for monitoring the endangered bird. Looking on is fellow volunteer David Parry, left, also of Valparaiso.
Gabis volunteers:
The heart of arboretum operations
Text and Photos by STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer
David Parry of Valparaiso does gardening and leads tours. Cory Gale of Crown Point removes invasive species, assists visitors, and helps at the Railway Garden. Jo and John Brugos of Valparaiso count bluebirds. These seniors all are volunteers at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue University Northwest. Located in rural Valparaiso, Gabis Arboretum is a living laboratory with 300 acres of landscapes that feature a restored prairie, display gardens, wetlands and miles of hiking trails through woodlands. Gabis Arboretum can always use volunteers, said Leslie Kiser, visitor services and volunteer coordinator. Considered the heart of Gabis’s operation, volunteers may serve as docents; lead guided hikes and field trips; help with outreach and at special events; horticulture and gardening,
including removal of invasive species; help with research; and assist at the Railway Garden or the arboretum’s Acorn Concert Series. “It helps me give back to the community,” said Parry. “I really enjoy the people here and the Gabis team is tremendous.” “I love being outside in God’s creation,” said Gale, “and I enjoy assisting the people.” Gale is an eradicator, removing invasive plant life, and also assists with gardening and tours. The Brugoses are bird watchers. Using bluebird boxes spread about the arboretum, they keep track of these endangered birds and then report their findings to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, N.Y. Their findings reveal a high this year of 137 bluebirds in the arboretum, a 38% increase over 2023. The boxes have holes for birds to enter, hatch and then leave. “I’m outdoors, and I’ve always had a big interest in birds,” Jo
said. “For us, it’s a lot of knowledge, and I enjoy the people I work with.” John added, “Besides doing something for science, there’s a social aspect. We’re doing something for ourselves and interacting with others.” Exercise is also involved, John said, as volunteers occasionally walk a few miles for research, “sometimes not under the best conditions.” While the bluebird project has grown, volunteers are also keeping track of tree swallows. “We’re working with scientific people,” Parry noted. “I like the interaction and I’m always learning something. It’s an educational experience for everyone.” Kiser estimated that half of Gabis’ current 75 active volunteers are seniors. The arboretum reported 4,180 volunteer hours during 2023 and already this year 2,715 hours were reported through August. Hours and schedules vary, Continued on page 2
IN THE FIELD — Gabis Arboretum at Purdue University Northwest volunteer David Parry of Valparaiso stands in a field of tall grasses at the PNW site in Valparaiso. As a volunteer, Parry is sometimes involved in gardening and nature tours.
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County 1st Office: Lake Plum County Office: 409Porter E. Lincolnway, Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 57 Street, Suite 203 409Franklin E. Lincolnway, 1st Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222Plum Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Schererville, Indiana 46375 Schererville, Indiana 46375 , LLC Phone: (219) 548-0980Fax: (219) 548-0993 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: 227-4884 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: (219)(219) 227-4884 *Certified as an Elder Law Attorney the National Elder Law Foundation *Certified as an Elder Lawby Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation
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