National Wildlife Refuges

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
812-273-0783

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
812-522-4352

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
812-749-3199

Other Programs

Federal Aid
Migratory Bird Conservation
North American Waterfowl Management Plan
Private Lands Office
Realty

Other Information

State Capital
Travel Information
Midwest Natural Resources Group (MNRG)

State Facts

• The Service employs more than 40 people in Indiana

• The Fiscal Year 2006 Resource Management budget for Service activities in Indiana totaled $2.9 million

• Three National Wildlife Refuges in Indiana total 64,846 acres

• In 2004, more than 94,000 people visited national wildlife refuges in Indiana to hunt, fish, participate in interpretive programs and view wildlife

Federal Assistance to State Fish and Wildlife Programs

In 2006 Indiana received:

• $4.7 million for sport fish restoration

• $4 million for wildlife restoration and hunter education

Ecological Services

Bloomington Ecological Services Office
812-334-4261

Northern Indiana Ecological Services Sub-Office
219-983-9753

Law Enforcement

Indianapolis Law Enforcement Office
317-346-7014

Indiana Bat Conservation

Conserving the endangered Indiana bat is a high priority for the Service in Indiana. Strides are being made in cooperative efforts, including a Habitat Conservation Plan that allows expansion, development, and highway construction in and around Indianapolis International Airport in areas used by Indiana bats. The HCP calls for permanent preservation of bat habitat along with habitat restoration to ensure the species’ continued survival near the airport. The state recently received a Service grant for $587,250 to begin preliminary work on a statewide Habitat Conservation Plan for the Indiana bat on 10 state forests. The proposed HCP will be the first to address Indiana bat management concerns on actively managed forests, providing a positive model for other states and forest managers.

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1994, Patoka River NWR in southwest Indiana may someday encompass about 22,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods. At Patoka, the focus is on partnerships to restore habitat and clean up acid mine drainage in area waterways. The refuge works closely with the extremely effective South Fork Citizens’ Committee on acid mine drainage issues in the watershed. The group works under the Clean Streams Initiative and its efforts are considered among the most effective in that arena.