Frances Slocum State Forest: Difference between revisions
Cerebellum (talk | contribs) wikify |
Clean up/copyedit |
||
(15 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description| |
{{Short description|State forest in Miami County, Indiana, US}} |
||
{{Infobox protected area |
|||
{{Draft topics|north-america}} |
|||
| name = Frances Slocum State Forest |
|||
{{AfC topic|geo}} |
|||
| iucn_category = III |
|||
{{AfC submission|||ts=20220316022845|u=Tayjo77|ns=2}} |
|||
| iucn_ref = <ref>[https://www.protectedplanet.net/80772 Protected Area Profile for Frances Slocum State Forest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213154911/https://www.protectedplanet.net/80772|date=December 13, 2023}} from the World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved December 13, 2023.</ref> |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
| photo_caption = A view of [[Mississinewa River]] from Frances Slocum State Forest |
|||
| map = Indiana#USA |
|||
| relief = yes |
|||
| map_caption = Location in Indiana##Location in United States |
|||
| location = [[Miami County, Indiana]], [[United States|US]] |
|||
| nearest_city = [[Peru, Indiana|Peru]], [[Indiana]] |
|||
| coordinates = {{Coord|40|43|48|N|85|57|54|W|region:US-IN}} |
|||
| coords_ref = |
|||
| area = {{convert|516|acre|km2}} |
|||
| established = |
|||
| visitation_num = |
|||
| visitation_year = |
|||
| governing_body = [[Nature Conservancy]] |
|||
}} |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | Located near [[Kokomo, Indiana|Kokomo]], [[Peru, Indiana|Peru]] and [[Wabash, Indiana|Wabash]], in [[Miami County, Indiana|Miami County]], [[Indiana]]. Some nearby attractions include the Mississinewa Reservoir, Asherwood Nature Preserve and [[Salamonie River State Forest|Salmonie River State Forest.]] |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | Located near [[Kokomo, Indiana|Kokomo]], [[Peru, Indiana|Peru]] and [[Wabash, Indiana|Wabash]], in [[Miami County, Indiana|Miami County]], [[Indiana]]. Some nearby attractions include the Mississinewa Reservoir, Asherwood Nature Preserve and [[Salamonie River State Forest|Salmonie River State Forest.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frances Slocum State Forest, an Indiana State Forest located near Kokomo, Peru and Wabash |url=https://stateparks.com/frances_slocum_state_forest_in_indiana.html |access-date=2022-02-21 |website=stateparks.com}}</ref> |
||
Roughly triangular, the park runs beside the Mississinewa River. Frances Slocum has 516 acres. |
|||
== Indiana State Forests == |
|||
Frances Slocum State Forest is one of 15 state forests managed by Indiana DNR. Most state forests in Indiana were founded because the land was too rugged to farm on. In some cases they are used to conserve Indiana's woodlands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry |url=https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/fo-Conserving_special_places.pdf}}</ref> |
|||
⚫ | |||
The first forest to be established was 1903 which was Clark State Forest. With the hope that tree regrowth could be seen in the park. Now today with the addition of 14 more State Forests there is over 58.4 million trees. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Indiana State Forests: History, Certification, Impact |url=https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/files/fo-ISF_history_certification_impact.pdf}}</ref> |
|||
⚫ | In 2019 a group called Friends of Salamonie Forest asked for the Indiana Natural Resources Commission to designate the Frances Slocum State Forest as a state park along with Salamonie Forest. The petition, which received over 850 signatures, argued that turning these areas into state parks would establish old forests, increase wildlife diversity and bring more visitors to [[Northern Indiana|northeast Indiana]]. Another main point of the petition was that it would stop logging plans from being enacted.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Carson Gerber Kokomo |title=State denies petition to turn Frances Slocum Forest into state park |url=https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/local_news/state-denies-petition-to-turn-frances-slocum-forest-into-state-park/article_0c70bc8c-a98c-11e9-9e3b-fb5882c8192e.html |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Kokomo Tribune |language=en}}</ref> In addition, the group called for better trails, to stop erosion that has started to occur through the forests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Carson Gerber Kokomo |title=Pushing for a park: Conservationists petitioning DNR to turn Frances Slocum State Forest into state park |url=https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/local_news/pushing-for-a-park-conservationists-petitioning-dnr-to-turn-frances-slocum-state-forest-into-state/article_49e11096-679a-11e9-989d-ebcf466ebb31.html |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Kokomo Tribune |language=en}}</ref> |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | In 2019 a group called Friends of Salamonie Forest |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
== Activities == |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
[[File:Frances Slocum State Forest River Trail.jpg|thumb|A trail in Frances Slocum State Forest that runs along the Mississinewa River.]] |
|||
== Activites == |
|||
⚫ | |||
The Frances Slocum Boy Scout Trail is 2.5 miles long, it has 160 foot elevation gain and is a loop trail. It is ranked as at moderate difficulty. Dogs are required to be on leash but are allowed to be on the trail. |
The Frances Slocum Boy Scout Trail is 2.5 miles long, it has 160 foot elevation gain and is a loop trail. It is ranked as at moderate difficulty. Dogs are required to be on leash but are allowed to be on the trail.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frances Slocum Boy Scout Trail |url=https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/indiana/frances-slocum-boy-scout-trail?ref=result-card |url-status=dead |website=AllTrails |access-date=2022-02-21 |archive-date=2022-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221152507/https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/indiana/frances-slocum-boy-scout-trail?ref=result-card }}</ref> There are complaints that the trail is underkept and needs to be more maintained then it currently is.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Carson Gerber Kokomo |title=State denies petition to turn Frances Slocum Forest into state park |url=https://www.kokomotribune.com/news/local_news/state-denies-petition-to-turn-frances-slocum-forest-into-state-park/article_0c70bc8c-a98c-11e9-9e3b-fb5882c8192e.html|access-date=2022-02-21 |website=Kokomo Tribune |language=en}}</ref> |
||
== |
== Flora and fauna == |
||
While Frances Slocum state forest does not have any rare tree types, some common trees found in Indiana that |
While Frances Slocum state forest does not have any rare tree types, some common trees found in Indiana that can be found at this state forest include the [[Conifer]], Deciduous Hardwood, and [[Evergreen]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranger |first=Arbor |title=Native Trees of Indiana {{!}} Arbor Rangers ™|url=https://www.arborrangers.com/native-trees-of-indiana/ |access-date=2022-02-23 |language=en}}</ref> |
||
Some common wildlife that could also be spotted |
Some common wildlife that could also be spotted at Frances Slocum include, coyotes, beavers, cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, raccoons, gray foxes, and red foxes. Some amphibians and reptiles that could be spotted include the snapping turtle, and eastern hog-nosed snake. |
||
Some native Indiana birds include |
Some native Indiana birds include cardinals, wild turkey, and bobwhite quail. In rare sightings the [[belted kingfisher]] can be spotted, it is the only kingfisher found in the state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Animals in Indiana |url=https://a-z-animals.com/animals/location/north-america/united-states/indiana/|access-date=2022-02-23 |website=AZ Animals |language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
== Places to Stay Nearby == |
|||
Since Frances Slocum state forest is close to three large towns in Indiana there are plenty of hotels to stay at. Some of the closest are in [[Wabash County, Indiana|Wabash]]. The Salamonie River State Forest is very close to Frances Slocum state Forest. The park has primitive campground with 21 family campsites and 15 horseman's campsites. They are available on a first come first serve basis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forestry |date=2021-01-29 |title=Salamonie River State Forest |url=https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/salamonie-river-state-forest/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=Forestry |language=en}}</ref> |
|||
== Weather == |
== Weather == |
||
In [[Miami County, Indiana|Miami County]] the average rain fall is 41 inches per year which is slightly above the average rainfall in the |
In [[Miami County, Indiana|Miami County]] the average rain fall is 41 inches per year which is slightly above the average rainfall in the United States. The county receives 28 inches of snow on average, it has 179 sunny days per year. In the summer months average high temperature in July is 84 degrees while in the winter the average low in January is 17 degrees. The most fair weather conditions fall in June, September, and August.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate in Miami County Indiana |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/county/indiana/miami|website=Best Places}}</ref> |
||
== History == |
== History == |
||
The park was established in the mid |
The park was established in the mid 1930s. The state forest is named after [[Frances Slocum]]. She was a Native American captive from the [[Delaware Tribe of Indians|Delaware Tribe]]. She lived from 1773 to 1847. She lived with the Miami Indians in Ohio and Indiana. Given the opportunity to return to her blood family, she chose to live with her adopted [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] Family. She was married to a man named Shepoconah who would become of the Chief of the [[Miami people|Miami People]] but would give up his duties as Chief when he became deaf. He started a village called Deaf Man's Village in [[Peru, Indiana]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-20 |title=Frances Slocum |url=https://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2012/11/frances-slocum.html |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=History of American Women |language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
== Murder == |
|||
In 2018 Drake Smith |
In 2018, Drake Smith, 22, was beaten to death inside Frances Slocum State Forest. His murderer was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to 55 years. The man, Ethan Cain, 24, killed Smith over drugs and money. Smith's body was found the same day by mushroom hunters in the park. A few days later Cain and his accomplice Joshua Kean were arrested in southern California.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Associated Press |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Indiana Man Gets 55 Years in Death of Victim Found in Forest |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/indiana/articles/2022-02-02/indiana-man-gets-55-years-in-death-of-victim-found-in-forest |website=UsNews}}</ref> |
||
== References == |
== References == |
||
{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
||
{{Protected areas of Indiana}} |
|||
[[Category:Indiana state forests]] |
Latest revision as of 16:13, 13 December 2023
Frances Slocum State Forest | |
---|---|
![]() A view of Mississinewa River from Frances Slocum State Forest | |
Location | Miami County, Indiana, US |
Nearest city | Peru, Indiana |
Coordinates | 40°43′48″N 85°57′54″W / 40.73000°N 85.96500°W |
Area | 516 acres (2.09 km2) |
Governing body | Nature Conservancy |
Frances Slocum State Forest is 516 acres of natural land managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Location
[edit]Located near Kokomo, Peru and Wabash, in Miami County, Indiana. Some nearby attractions include the Mississinewa Reservoir, Asherwood Nature Preserve and Salmonie River State Forest.[2]
Roughly triangular, the park runs beside the Mississinewa River. Frances Slocum has 516 acres.
Petition to state forest
[edit]In 2019 a group called Friends of Salamonie Forest asked for the Indiana Natural Resources Commission to designate the Frances Slocum State Forest as a state park along with Salamonie Forest. The petition, which received over 850 signatures, argued that turning these areas into state parks would establish old forests, increase wildlife diversity and bring more visitors to northeast Indiana. Another main point of the petition was that it would stop logging plans from being enacted.[3] In addition, the group called for better trails, to stop erosion that has started to occur through the forests.[4]
At the time Huntington Mayor Brooks Fetter stated, "We want an extension to give us here in northeast Indiana an opportunity to see what can be done to save these trees and save these parks for ourselves and for our posterity."[3]
People who opposed the petition said that it would limit recreational activities taking place at the park. They also said that the logging that is being proposed would not hurt the natural environment.
The commission unanimously voted to deny all parts of the petition, keeping Frances Slocum State Forest a place where logging, hunting and fishing can take place.[3]
Activities
[edit]Some activities that people can do while at Frances Slocum State Forest includes, equestrian trails, hiking trails, hunting, fishing, foraging, and there is access to the Mississinewa river. There is no camping available at Frances Slocum State Forest, this park is a day use only park.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Frances_Slocum_State_Forest_River_Trail.jpg/220px-Frances_Slocum_State_Forest_River_Trail.jpg)
The Frances Slocum Boy Scout Trail is 2.5 miles long, it has 160 foot elevation gain and is a loop trail. It is ranked as at moderate difficulty. Dogs are required to be on leash but are allowed to be on the trail.[5] There are complaints that the trail is underkept and needs to be more maintained then it currently is.[6]
Flora and fauna
[edit]While Frances Slocum state forest does not have any rare tree types, some common trees found in Indiana that can be found at this state forest include the Conifer, Deciduous Hardwood, and Evergreen.[7]
Some common wildlife that could also be spotted at Frances Slocum include, coyotes, beavers, cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, raccoons, gray foxes, and red foxes. Some amphibians and reptiles that could be spotted include the snapping turtle, and eastern hog-nosed snake.
Some native Indiana birds include cardinals, wild turkey, and bobwhite quail. In rare sightings the belted kingfisher can be spotted, it is the only kingfisher found in the state.[8]
Weather
[edit]In Miami County the average rain fall is 41 inches per year which is slightly above the average rainfall in the United States. The county receives 28 inches of snow on average, it has 179 sunny days per year. In the summer months average high temperature in July is 84 degrees while in the winter the average low in January is 17 degrees. The most fair weather conditions fall in June, September, and August.[9]
History
[edit]The park was established in the mid 1930s. The state forest is named after Frances Slocum. She was a Native American captive from the Delaware Tribe. She lived from 1773 to 1847. She lived with the Miami Indians in Ohio and Indiana. Given the opportunity to return to her blood family, she chose to live with her adopted Native American Family. She was married to a man named Shepoconah who would become of the Chief of the Miami People but would give up his duties as Chief when he became deaf. He started a village called Deaf Man's Village in Peru, Indiana.[10]
In 2018, Drake Smith, 22, was beaten to death inside Frances Slocum State Forest. His murderer was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to 55 years. The man, Ethan Cain, 24, killed Smith over drugs and money. Smith's body was found the same day by mushroom hunters in the park. A few days later Cain and his accomplice Joshua Kean were arrested in southern California.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Protected Area Profile for Frances Slocum State Forest Archived December 13, 2023, at the Wayback Machine from the World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "Frances Slocum State Forest, an Indiana State Forest located near Kokomo, Peru and Wabash". stateparks.com. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ a b c Tribune, Carson Gerber Kokomo. "State denies petition to turn Frances Slocum Forest into state park". Kokomo Tribune. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ Tribune, Carson Gerber Kokomo. "Pushing for a park: Conservationists petitioning DNR to turn Frances Slocum State Forest into state park". Kokomo Tribune. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "Frances Slocum Boy Scout Trail". AllTrails. Archived from the original on 2022-02-21. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ Tribune, Carson Gerber Kokomo. "State denies petition to turn Frances Slocum Forest into state park". Kokomo Tribune. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ Ranger, Arbor. "Native Trees of Indiana | Arbor Rangers ™". Retrieved 2022-02-23.
- ^ "Animals in Indiana". AZ Animals. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
- ^ "Climate in Miami County Indiana". Best Places.
- ^ "Frances Slocum". History of American Women. 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
- ^ Associated Press (February 2, 2022). "Indiana Man Gets 55 Years in Death of Victim Found in Forest". UsNews.