Friends of Lake Monroe is hosting a fundraiser at the Upland Brewing Company Thursday, June 27 from 5-8 PM. We’ll have live music, appetizers, and a silent auction.

Come join us to listen, ask questions, walk the exhibits, and meet others who are exploring ways of helping to keep our community’s water clean.

“Talks and Tables” will take place Saturday, June 15 at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47404.

Come join Friends of Lake Monroe for the opening reception of Dawn Adams’ “Water is Life” art exhibit. Dawn Adams’ paintings will be featured in the Miller Gallery of the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center.

We’re holding for our bi-monthly public meeting on Wednesday, May 22, from 6 to 8 PM at the Monroe County Public Library in meeting room 2A.

Shane Gibson, Sycamore Land Trust’s Environmental Education Director will speak, providing an overview of the organization and highlight a few projects they have in the Lake Monroe Watershed. Shane will also share the strategy and success of the Beanblossom Creek project.

Have you ever wondered how much Lake Monroe is worth? Graduate students in Melissa Laney’s Capstone Class have been working to develop an economic valuation of the lake as well as creating tools for Friends of Lake Monroe to use in similar future endeavors.

The presentation will take place from 2:30-3:45 PM in SPEA A221 on Wednesday, April 24.

Please RSVP to FriendsOfLakeMonroe@gmail.com to reserve your seat at this presentation.

We’re holding for our bi-monthly public meeting on Wednesday, March 27, from 6 to 8 PM at the Monroe County Public Library in meeting room 2A.

Vic Kelson, City of Bloomington Utilities Director, will speak at our March 27 meeting.  Dr. Kelson will talk about water quality in Lake Monroe and the effect on treatment and costs.  Dr Kelson will speak early in the meeting, followed by updates on current FLM activities.

What was life like before Monroe Lake was made? Learn about this and more during a history open house Sunday, Feb. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Paynetown Activity Center in Paynetown State Recreation Area.

Jill Vance, interpretive naturalist at Monroe Lake, is documenting and mapping the history of the Salt Creek valley area. This is a large area that includes most of southeast Monroe County, southern Brown County, northeast Lawrence County, and northwest Jackson County. Monroe Lake was created in the 1960s with a dam at the western end of Salt Creek.

Vance’s research focus is on the period before Monroe Lake was built, as well as the actual construction of the lake and the land acquisition. The open house will be a chance to learn about the project, view some of the resources compiled thus far, and contribute information and stories.

Maps, books, and other resources will be on display, and there will be a slideshow of historic photos. Visitors with a family connection to Salt Creek can search a genealogy database for information about their ancestors.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own information, knowledge, and stories about the Salt Creek valley area to add to this research project. A portable scanner will be available so that most photos, maps, and other documents can be copied on site. Visitors will be able to mark the location of historic sites on a master map.

People with a lot of stories or family history information, or large quantities of photos or documents can sign up to do an oral history interview at a later date.

Paynetown State Recreation Area is located at 4850 S. State Road 446, Bloomington. Entrance to Paynetown SRA is free during the winter months. Cancellations will be posted at facebook.com/monroelake.

Location Information:
Monroe Lake  (View Map)
4850 S. State Road 446 
Bloomington, IN 47401
Monroe

Monroe Lake - Paynetown State Recreation Area

Contact Information:
Name: Jill Vance
Phone: 812-837-9967
Email: jvance@dnr.IN.gov

Save the date! We’re holding for our bi-monthly public meeting on Thursday, January 24, at the Monroe County Public Library in meeting room 1C.