Wal-Mart, Potawatomi Wildlife Park, and Troop 251 Partner in Conservation Project

  12/27/13 A Christmas Eve call to Potawatomi Wildlife Park from the Plymouth Wal-Mart offering free Christmas trees turned into a joint recycling and conservation project with Troop 251 of Marshall County.

  The day after Christmas, some go back to work, some sleep in and others go shopping with their gift cards in hand. Boy Scout Troop 251 decided to spend the day conducting a conservation project. They picked up left over Christmas trees from Wal-Mart and took them to Potawatomi Wildlife Park for a project.

  The trees were placed in piles throughout the park for wildlife. Michael Stephan, Executive Director of the park as well as the Scout Master for Troop 251, explained that the piles can provide nesting habitat, resting areas, concealment, and protection from predators. Brush piles can provide protective cover against harsh weather conditions and become popular locations for den construction for a variety of wildlife species.

The Troop plans to return for a late winter hike in search of tracks and other signs of wildlife usage of the brush piles.

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About Potawatomi Wildlife Park: Potawatomi Wildlife Park is a free-admission 317-acre park along the Tippecanoe River south of Bourbon, IN. It is in Marshall County, just over the Kosciusko County border. Coming from the north, the park entrance is located approximately 1/2 mile south of State Road 10 directly across from 17th Road. Coming from the south, the entrance is approximately 1/2 mile north of the Tippecanoe Bridge on State Road 331.

Known for its nature and habitat, there are five miles of hiking trails, and many different wildlife species present. The park serves the surrounding five counties and is open daily from sunrise to sunset for you to walk the trails and observe or study wildlife.

About Troop 251:  Troop 251 is a local Boy Scout troop comprised of boys from throughout Marshall County. It meets on Tuesday evenings from 7 – 8:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Plymouth. For more information about the Troop contact: Michael Stephan (Scout Master) 574-498-6550.