from the archives! Spring 1997: Students from the Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences at IUPUI work to blanket a hill with jute mat and bush honeysuckle to stabilize the eroding hillslope. Check out our blog to learn more about Marott’s status as a nature preserve!

from the archives! May 25, 1956: Visitors look up at a large sycamore known as the “Winnie the Pooh Tree” because of its hollowed-out trunk. Unfortunately, this iconic tree developed a vertical crack and had to be cut down. Check out our most recent blog post to learn about Marott’s status as a nature preserve through the years.

Check out this photo from Indy Parks’ Land Stewardship Manager Don Miller! 🐝 This is a nest of bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata). They are aggressive and will sting repeatedly to defend their nest. 🍃 What’s unique about the bald-faced hornet us that they can squirt or spray venom from their stingers into the eyes of vertebrate nest intruders. The venom causes immediate watering of the eyes and temporary blindness. ⚠️ Keep an eye out for these cool nests but make sure to admire from afar!

Join us at the Preserve on Friday, September 30th at 8am for a bird walk led by Chuck Anderson of the Amos Butler Audubon Society! These walks are open to all experience levels, and we have binoculars available for those who need them. No registration necessary—just show up at the shelter at the College Ave entrance ready to look and listen for bird friends. We hope to see you there!

Hello! Welcome to the official IG of the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve. Marott Woods is a 102-acre nature preserve located in Indianapolis. In 1945, local businessman George Marott donated the land in honor of his beloved wife, Ella, and in 1987, the land was designated an Indiana State Dedicated Nature Preserve. Our organization was formed in 2021 with the mission of encouraging ecological respect and community appreciation for the Preserve. We organize educational programming and lead efforts to restore and beautify Marott Woods. Want to get involved? You can: • Follow this account • Join our Facebook group • Visit our website • Sign up for our newsletter and read our blog to stay up-to-date on all the goings-on at Marott Woods. Share this post to help us grow, and tag @friendsofmarottwoods in your photos of the Preserve!