Eco Report – May 23, 2025

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This is Eco Report for May 23rd, 2025.

In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Shelby Drake, Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Health and Wellness Coordinator, about how getting out in nature can have benefits on one’s mental well being.

And now for your environmental reports:

• The New York Times reports when the Trump administration declared two weeks ago that it would largely disregard the economic cost of climate change as it sets policies and regulations, it was just the latest step in a multipronged effort to erase global warming from the American agenda.
• ENSO stands for “El Niño/Southern Oscillation,” a pattern of changes in the temperature of the ocean surface and atmospheric circulation of the tropical Pacific region. La Niña means the surface water is warmer than usual along coastal Central and South America.
• Bobcats, Indiana’s only remaining native wild cat, were nearly wiped out in the mid-1900s due to unregulated hunting, trapping, and habitat loss. They were added to the state’s endangered species list in 1969 and remained there until 2005. Since then, bobcats have been recovering and are now commonly found in southern and west-central Indiana, with sightings recorded in nearly every county.
• Facing the continued collapse of Chinook salmon, officials today shut down California’s commercial salmon fishing season for an unprecedented third year in a row.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to WFHB Correspondents Benedict Jones and Elyse Perry to learn how nature helps with mental health.

And now for some upcoming events:

• A Hop to the Quarry event will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 24th, from 10 to 11:30 am. Join Jessica at the Trailside Shelter to learn about frogs in the quarry. The hike is about 1-mile long.
• Enjoy a Fossil Discovery and Geology Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, May 26th, from 2 to 4 pm. Join Naturalist Jessica on a rugged hike on Trail 3 as you scramble over rocks and through the creek learning about fossils older then dinosaurs.
• Participate in a Snake Chat at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, May 30th, from 3 to 3:30 pm. You will get to see live snakes up close and touch, as you learn about snakes. Meet in the Activity Center.
• Take the Fire Tower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 10 to 11 am. Meet DNR Intern Marshall in front of the Canyon Inn to begin your summit to the top of the historical CCC built fire tower. The hike is 1.4 miles long.
• Learn all about the Timber Rattlesnake during the Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake presentation at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 3 to 4 pm. Get up close to look at Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake. Learn its history and how venom works.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.