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Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge |
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| 1661 W. JPG Niblo Rd Madison, IN 47250 E-mail: bigoaks@fws.gov Phone Number: 812-273-0783 |
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| Visit the Refuge's Web Site: http://midwest.fws.gov/bigoaks |
White-tailed deer and other wildlife call the refuge "home." | ||
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Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge consists of approximately 50,000 acres within Jefferson, Ripley, and Jennings counties in southeastern Indiana. Under a recent agreement with the US Army and US Air Force, the Service operates the refuge through a 25-year real-estate permit. The Army retains ownership of the land (the closed Jefferson Proving Ground). The Air Force retains use of a bombing range which is not included in the portion designated as a national wildlife refuge. Large safety buffer areas separate the Air Force range from public use areas of the refuge. Big Oaks Refuge contains the largest unfragmented forested block in southeastern Indiana and some of the largest grassland areas found within the region. The refuge provides habitat for 120 species of breeding birds, the Federally endangered Indiana bat, and 41 species of fish. The refuge also is home to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, river otters, and coyotes. Over 25 State-listed animal species and over 46 State-listed plant species have been discovered to date on the refuge. Many bird species of management concern are also found here, including Henslow's sparrows and cerulean warblers. Over 800 singing male Henslow's sparrows use the large grasslands on the refuge. Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge has been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area because of its value to Henslow's sparrows and other migratory birds. Getting There . . . The entrance to the refuge is located on U.S. Highway 421, five miles north of Madison, Indiana. The refuge office is in Building 125 in the cantonment area of the former Jefferson Proving Ground. From Madison, drive north on Highway 421 to the main entrance of the former Jefferson Proving Ground and go west on Ordnance Drive. Take the first right (Shun Pike) and then a left on Niblo Road. Building 125 is located on 1661 West Niblo Road. Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address: |
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A major management focus on the refuge is conserving grasslands, shrublands, and forest. Refuge staff promote habitat continuity and diversity to support healthy populations of wildlife, especially the declining species of grassland and forest-dwelling birds and animals. Where appropriate, a combination of grasslands, shrublands, and forest, as well as wetlands, serve to provide wildlife the necessary habitats for survival and reproduction. Existing habitats are managed to provide large contiguous blocks of forest, grassland, and shrub habitat. Grasslands are maintained by carrying out an extensive controlled burning program. Forests are managed for large contiguous blocks, a habitat rare in the present landscape of Indiana and required by "forest-interior" species. Examples of these species include cerulean warbler, wood thrush, worm-eating warbler, and wild turkey. New beaver impoundments are rapidly and naturally increasing the area of permanent water and diversity of wetlands found on the refuge. All management decisions are based on an ecosystem concept, taking the refuge's role in the larger landscape into consideration. Staff use the most current, scientifically validated, management techniques. Population and habitat monitoring are used to periodically evaluate and improve management techniques. Cooperative research and monitoring studies are being developed with specialists to increase and improve the Service's knowledge and ability to manage the resource found on the refuge. |
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