Fossil Talk with Hannah McKay

Discover the wonders of the fossils that can be found at the Falls of the Ohio State Park with Hannah McKay, the park fulltime Interpretive Naturalist. We will look at Devonian marine fossils and discuss how they lived, what they ate, how / why they were preserved. 

When: Saturday, September 12th 10-11:30am

Where: Park at the Buttonbush Woods Trailhead Parking Lot and Meet at the Outdoor Classroom Behind the Parking Lot

Address: 398 Emery Crossing, Clarksville, Indiana 47129

Audience: All are welcome!

Hannah McKay's Bio:

Hello! My name is Hannah McKay, I am originally from Crawfordville Indiana, but I've spent a good majority of my life living in Grapevine, Texas. Only now have I come back to the Hoosier side and now live in Charlestown Indiana! I graduated from Texas Tech University in 2024 with a Bachelors in Natural Resource Management and a concentration in Wildlife Biology. After graduation I got the wonderful opportunity to work as a seasonal naturalist at Charlestown State Park for 2 seasons, which further inspired my passion for wildlife and natural resources. This year I have had the pleasure to start as the full-time Interpretive Naturalist at Falls of the Ohio State Park and I'm loving every day of it. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me as I continue my passion for educating and exploring our natural world! 

Soil Conversation with Archie Sauerheber

Explore the landscapes beneath our feet and learn how soil shapes the natural environment of Southern Indiana. This program will introduce the physiographic regions of Clark County and Southern Indiana and examine the soil properties that influence our landscapes, agriculture, and environmental restoration.

Participants will learn the basics of soil management and explore publicly available resources for understanding soil types and conditions. Hands-on activities will provide an opportunity to examine soil up close and better understand its characteristics.

Weather and time permitting, the program will conclude with a walk through Origin Park to see these concepts at work in the landscape and discuss the connections between soil, water, plants, and the surrounding environment.

When: Tuesday, September 22nd, 5:30-6:30 pm

Where: Park at the Buttonbush Woods Trailhead Parking Lot and Meet at the Outdoor Classroom Behind the Parking Lot

Address: 398 Emery Crossing, Clarksville, Indiana 47129

Audience: Adults

Archie Sauerheber's Bio

Archie Sauerheber was raised on a hay and beef farm in Corydon, Indiana that he still operates with his wife Whitney and his children Neil, Anna, and Joel. His first direct contact with soil science came as a member of the high school soil judging team in the early 1990's. He then was a member of the Purdue Soil Judging team and was fortunate enough to be a member of the national championship team in 1999. Archie is in his 27th year as a a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. He has also been an adjunct professor of Soil Science at IU Southeast for 13 years. Since 2019 he has operated Sauerheber Soil Consulting which provides soil classification services for residential septic systems, commercial septic systems, IDEM permits for agricultural operations, and the occasional prospective pond or lake. He enjoys working with people to help them make good decisions about their land use.

Bird Walk with Andrew Melnykovych

This will be an easy-paced walk intended as a learning experience for beginning birders. The leader will be Andrew Melnykovych, who is the field trip coordinator for the Beckham Bird Club of Louisville, as well as the club's past president. He began birding at age 10 and has seen more than 600 species of birds in the US and Canada, and twice that many worldwide, in 50 countries or territories and in Antarctica.

When: Saturday, September 26th 8:00-9:30am
Where: Park at the Buttonbush Woods Trailhead Parking Lot and Meet at the Outdoor Classroom Behind the Parking Lot
Address:  398 Emery Crossing, Clarksville, Indiana 47129
Audience:  All are welcome!

STEAM Explorers Camp @ Origin Park

October 5-9

8:30AM–3PM

Address: The Vista at Origin Park, 1784 Mill Creek Parkway, Clarksville, IN, 47129

Ages: Elementary School Students, Ages 6-11

Campers, get ready for an exciting week of discovery, creativity, and outdoor adventure with the Kentucky Science Center’s STEAM Explorers Camp @ Origin Park camp in Clarksville, IN! Designed for elementary aged students with curious minds, this immersive experience combines hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities with engaging outdoor education in one of the region’s most unique natural settings.

Campers will dive into interactive STEAM lessons, exploring scientific concepts through experiments, problem-solving challenges, and creative projects. Campers will take their learning outside, connecting with nature through outdoor exploration and environmental education activities.

STEAM Explorers Camp @ Origin Park offers the perfect balance of hands-on learning, creativity, and outdoor fun. Campers will build new skills, make lasting friendships, and develop a deeper appreciation for both science and the natural world.

Nature Detectives: Trees

Become a tree detective and uncover the secrets of the forest! During this Nature Detectives adventure, participants will explore the diverse trees that make Origin Park's wetlands, woodlands, and natural areas such a vibrant habitat for wildlife. Through a hands-on scavenger hunt and interactive activities, young detectives will learn how to identify trees by their leaves, bark, seeds, and shapes while discovering the important role trees play in our environment. Participants will investigate how trees provide food and shelter for wildlife, improve air and water quality, and help create healthy ecosystems.

From towering oaks to colorful maples, each tree has a story to tell. Participants will explore how trees change with the seasons, learn about tree rings and growth, and discover why forests are essential to both people and nature. Along the way, they'll sharpen their observation skills and gain a greater appreciation for the natural world around them. Participants who successfully complete the hunt will receive a prize. Attend all five Nature Detectives programs and you'll be entered to win a special grand prize drawing at the end of the series. Please dress comfortably for the outdoors and bring water. 

When: Wednesday, October 14th, 5:30–6:30 PM

Ages: All Ages Welcome

Note:  A parent or guardian must be present.

Where: Park at the Buttonbush Woods Trailhead Parking Lot and Meet at the Outdoor Classroom Behind the Parking Lot

Address:398 Emery Crossing, Clarksville, Indiana 47129

Nature Detectives Series at Origin Park

Calling all young explorers and curious minds! Join us for the Nature Detectives Series, a free monthly adventure designed to help participants discover the wonders of the natural world through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, and exciting scavenger hunts.

Each month, Nature Detectives will investigate a new topic and uncover clues throughout Origin Park while learning about the plants, animals, and ecosystems that make our region unique. Participants who successfully complete each hunt will earn a prize, and those who attend all five programs will be entered to win a special grand prize drawing at the end of the series.

2026 Nature Detectives Schedule

• June 10: Water Cycle
• July 8: Animal Tracks
• August 12: Astronomy
• September 9: Monarch Butterflies
• October 14: Trees