Denver Siekman Environmental Park – A regional treasure!

Ah! Getting back to Nature. It is good for the soul, and frankly it is good for Nature too! The residents of Southeastern Indiana can enjoy a unique outdoor experience just east of Rising Sun, Indiana at the Denver Siekman Environmental Park encompassing 64 acres of natural woodland and rolling countryside.
DSEP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the environmental education of all ages. The Park offers special programming for area schoolchildren and Scout and other youth groups, and is an ideal location for corporate retreats, family picnics, and even weddings!
The grounds include conference seating for 60, for meetings and workshops and a walking trail winding around the entire 64 acres. Outdoor team building exercises in a natural environment, including a ‘low-ropes’ course, are offered by certified instructors. In addition there is a variety of other educational challenge courses that allow groups to learn to build trust and self-confidence and develop a strong team. Half-day or full-day programming can be personalized to your group or organization to maximize the benefit.
SISWD has visited the Park a number of times, each time to greet and offer programs to busloads of schoolchildren. The pure joy of discovery and the outdoors is evident on each face. Of particular interest is the composting toilet. Nicer than a portolet, but similar in appearance, there is no water, no flushing. No odor. Just sawdust. It is a unique feature in a unique park; one that seeks to reduce our impact on the environment. On another visit, SISWD was invited to present the ABCs of building a compost pile to create nutritious organic fertilizer for home gardens. Mother Nature’s way of recycling.
Other programs offered by qualified instructors at the Park are nature walks, bird watching walks, frog watching, and astronomy.
Well, it is obvious that we can all benefit from such a wonderful resource, but what good is it going to do Nature? Well, by visiting and experiencing Nature, all of us can better understand the importance of maintaining the natural environment, and come away with a meaningful commitment to protecting our wildlife, our land and our water.
The Park is located just east of Rising Sun, off State Road 56. You may visit DSEP from dawn to dusk year-round to take in the beauty that is ours in Southeastern Indiana. For more information, Janie Eldridge, Park Director, can be reached at 812-438-1230, or on the internet at denversiekmanep@yahoo.com.