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Wilder Wetlands in Indiana
part of the 8,000-acre
Wilder wetland in southwest Indiana |
With help from NRCS, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has
completed the largest single purchase of land for wetland habitat conservation
in Indiana’s history with the acquisition of the 8,000-acre Wilder property in
southwest Indiana. The purchase was celebrated recently at a ceremony attended
by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. The property has been sought after since 1951
as a prime site for wetlands restoration. In 2000, NRCS successfully purchased a
7,200-acre permanent easement on the site through the Wetlands Reserve Program.
Once restored, this culturally, biologically, and historically significant site
will increase the amount of wetlands in Indiana by about one percent.
Since the easement,
Indiana NRCS has been on-site at the Wilder property purchase solving county and
State highway infrastructure and underground fiber optic cable, pipeline, and
utility transmission crossing restoration issues.
Once restored, this 8,000-acre property will be managed for purposes
ranging from wildlife viewing to hunting. This expansive wetland complex will
also become an important stopover site for migratory birds and will be managed for
both game and non-game species. The area supports one of the largest and most
diverse nesting waterfowl communities in Indiana.
Declining North American shorebird species will benefit significantly from the
restoration as the site has been a stopover for generations of migrating birds
like ducks, geese, egrets, and sandhill cranes.
Resident species including herons, rails, and amphibians like the southern
leopard frog will also benefit. The wet prairie restoration is already
reaping benefits with the State endangered crawfish
frog increasing in numbers.
Your contact is Michael McGovern,
NRCS public affairs specialist, at 317-290-3200, ext. 324.
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