The Zionsville Board of Parks and Recreation voted unanimously on Nov. 12 to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pheasants Forever to support restoration work at Carpenter Nature Preserve.

Superintendent Jared said Pheasants Forever will provide technical assistance, organize volunteer workdays, and help with educational programming and interpretive signage. "They are willing to lend their expertise with their in-house scientists, their volunteers, and their meetings to help us combat invasives, restore natural areas, and improve education on conservation," Jared said.

Under the MOU the group would be allowed to organize and perform restoration tasks using hand tools, much like other volunteer partners. Jared said staff would coordinate all projects; signage and logos would be reviewed by the department. The town would waive in-house shelter reservation and permit fees for the group’s activities, but events that trigger the Town's special-event policy would still require the town's special-event permit and any associated fees. All volunteers would sign waivers before assisting with restoration work. The MOU also contains mutual release language; Jared described that language as nonbinding and administrative.

Kimberly Lane moved to approve the MOU and Chad Dilley seconded. A roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval from Doug Tishbein, Kimberly Lane, Matt Milburn, Chad Dilley, Anna Shappaugh, Kent Perkins and Chair Chris Barksdale.

Jared said the partnership will provide additional hands for invasive control and educational outreach at Carpenter and could include Pheasants Forever speakers in park programming. Staff will coordinate project scheduling and any special-event permit needs with the town.