Rick Ward, Partners biologist, discusses wetlands with landowners - Photo Credit: S. Hoffarth, St. Joseph Co. SWCD

Pollinators like bees and monarchs can be found at hot-spots alongside stream banks and their uplands. - Photo Credit: Courtney Celley/USFWS

The Soil & Water Conservation Districts from four counties in Northern Indiana (St. Joseph, Marshall, Elkhart, Kosciusko) worked together to host a Forestry Field Day for landowners on October 17, 2015. The Forestry Field Day was held on private property in St. Joseph County. The host landowner has been involved in reforestation, wetland and upland habitat restorations since the early 1970’s. About 35 landowners and conservation partners attended the Forestry Field Day.

Topics included invasive species identification and control, pollinator habitat and forestry management. Rick Ward, Partners for Fish & Wildlife (Partners Program) biologist with the Indiana Private Lands Office, spoke about wetland restoration, management, and maintenance. He also talked about technical assistance and cost-share funds available for wildlife habitat work through the Partners Program, with the emphasis on partnerships. 

The Indiana Private Lands Office has a long-running partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife and Pheasants Forever, to restore and enhance wetlands and associated uplands. This Northeast Indiana Pothole focus area covers 11 counties including the four represented at the Forestry Field Day. Since the partnership started in 2001, over 200 projects have been completed, restoring or enhancing 475 acres of wetlands and 1,300 acres of grasslands.