PresidentSteve Cecil

First Vice-PresidentGlenn Lange

Second Vice-PresidentDoug Allman

SecretaryShaena Reinhart

TreasurerAdam McLane

National Wildlife Federation Representative

Dr. Dave HoffmanImmediate Past President

Shaena ReinhartExecutive DirectorBarbara Simpson

EditorStephen Sellers

Graphic Design/LayoutJulie Kirkendoll

PrintingThe Papers, Incorporated

Milford, IndianaPlease address all advertising

and editorial inquires to: Editor

4715 W. 106th StreetZionsville, IN 46077

Phone: 317-875-9453Email: editor@indianawildlife.org

The Indiana Wildlife Federation is considered a non-profit organization by the

Internal Revenue Service

Vol. 50 No. 4VOICE OF THE INDIANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION

Hoosier Conservation (ISSN NO. 0199.6894) is published quarterly by Indiana Wildlife Federation, an independent statewide organization of affiliated conservation clubs and concerned citizens of Indiana. IWF is the Indiana affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, and is incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana as a non-profit corporation. Hoosier Conservation is a membership periodical available only to the various classes of IWF members and is not sold by subscription.Periodical Office: The Papers, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542. Periodical postage paid at Milford, IN.Editorial Office: Manuscripts, news releases, and cor-respondence directed specifically to the Editor should be addressed to: H.C. Editor, 4715 W. 106th Street, Zionsville, IN. Manuscripts, photographs, or artwork should be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes with return postage. However, Hoosier Conservation assumes no liability for the return of unsolicited materials. Material appearing in Hoosier Conservation may be reproduced with the appropriate credit lines unless designated a ©.Membership and Business Office: Correspondence about membership, delivery of Hoosier Conservation, or general business should be addressed to 4715 W. 106th Street, Zionsville, IN 46077. Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to Hoosier Conservation, 4715 W. 106th Street, Zionsville, IN 46077. USPS No. 249820.

2 | Hoosier Conservation Meet us on the Internet

The holiday season was an excellent time to reflect on past ac-complishments and at the same time set our sights on the new year with its challenges and opportunities.

This past year with IWF has been one of the most rewarding years I’ve had. I’m proud to be part of such a strong grassroots organization committed to the conservation and sustainable use of our natural resources.

And that grassroots part is the key to our success—using our voices, our time and talents to influence state natural resources policies, educate families, children, and individuals throughout the

state, advocate for wildlife, and implement programs that help provide clean water and more wildlife habitat in Indiana.

We are able to accomplish all these things only through the generous support from our many partners and members like you: individuals, conservation clubs and associa-tions, corporate sponsors, partner nonprofits and government agencies.

This time of year we are all receiving mailings from charitable organizations asking for just a bit more financial support. IWF is no different; we are always fundraising and doing our best to use funds wisely to sustain and grow our programs.

In getting to know the organization, I’ve learned that much of our support comes in the way of many small donations that add up to make a significant contribution to our efforts. It’s never too late to contribute to IWF, and we hope you’ll consider IWF for a small portion of the financial gifts you have to share.

Thank you all for helping make 2011 a great success, whether through your membership, donating to our auctions, sharing the fun at our first “Devotion to Wildlife” summer concert, or volunteering to help IWF carry the message of Com-mon Sense Conservation.

Looking forward to 2012, one of our top priorities is serving on the Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force charged with assessing Indiana’s programs and funding for natural resources. The task force is gathering information and will develop recommenda-tions regarding what actions Indiana must take to assure our natural resources will be here for future generations to use and enjoy.

This is no small challenge. The task force to date has heard testimony regarding bio-diversity in Indiana and the health of wildlife and forests. There also have been reports from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Department of Agriculture.

The meetings are open to the public, and I encourage all IWF conservation groups and individuals to attend as many of the task force meetings as you can. There is a wealth of information being shared.

For the task force to succeed and its recommendations to be adopted, it will take strong support from conservation groups throughout the state, not just those serving on the task force.

Please track the progress of the task force by attending the public meetings. You may also read the minutes and review the slide presentations on www.indianawildlife.org.

The dates for the next three task force meetings have been set: Jan. 25, Feb. 22, and Mar. 28. They have presentations, respectively, on air, soil, and water resources. We hope to see you there. Don’t hesitate to call me if you would like to learn more.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.•Warm Wishes and Peace to All,

Barb

Reflecting on a rewarding year and challenges to come

On the cover: A solitary angler braves the cold for a prize catch in a tributary of the Galien River on the Indiana-Michigan border. Photo/Tim Scott

Hoosier Conservation | 3www.indianawildlife.org

We ask a lot of our members. Whether requesting donations, letters to politicians, volunteer time, or help spreading our mes-sage, we rely on our members to support IWF in any way possible.

Rarely do we have the opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude in a more substantial way than a simple “thank you” e-mail or letter.

Last October, we showed our gratitude for all of your hard work by throwing our second annual Member Appreciation Celebration. Dreary fall weather forced the intimate crowd to move inside, but ev-eryone warmed up with homemade chili, venison kabobs, and sweet treats.

A jazz trio from Butler University provided the soundtrack for the evening as attendees enjoyed each other’s com-pany along with locally brewed beer and donated wine.

It was a special evening, and we regret only that we cannot host similar events around the state to make it easier for all of

our members to attend.When we say “thank you,” either in

person, through e-mail, or our magazine, know that we mean it. Our members make IWF an effective and influential organization.

Thank you to those who attended our

Member Appreciation Celebration, and thank you to everyone else who supports Common Sense Conservation.

Special thanks go out to IWF board members who cooked for the evening as well as John Bunner and Dale Back for providing raffle items.•

Conservation Day at the Statehouse (Jan. 24)

Presented by the Indiana Conservation Alliance, Conservation Day is an incred-ible opportunity to show our elected officials that Hoosiers care about protect-ing our precious natural resources and preserving our environment.

Meet your legislator at our reception and talk to them about how important conservation and preservation of our natural resources is to you. Prior to Conservation Day we will record a web-ex presentation with topics to be discussed with your legislator.

Pre-register on our website by Jan. 19. The more people who attend Conserva-tion Day, the bigger the impact. Come for the whole day or just for your lunch hour. Carpool with co-workers, friends and family or take a brisk walk to the

Statehouse, and help make a difference.

Marsh Madness (March 2-3)Join us at the Greene County Marsh

Madness Festival to celebrate the county’s abundant and beautiful natural areas.

On Sunday, IWF will lead Restor-ing Indiana’s Wetlands & Wildlife: The Wetlands Reserve Program and Healthy Rivers INitiative, a workshop covering the Indiana Healthy Rivers INitiative and the importance of wetlands and landowner assistance programs in the Wabash River-Sugar Creek and Muscatatuck Bottoms project areas.

Earth Day Indiana Festival (April 28)

The crowds grow larger every year for this popular Earth Day celebration at White River State Park in Indianapolis. IWF will provide fun family activities while educating

everyone about our priorities and projects. We will need lots of volunteer sup-

port for the festival; e-mail volunteer@indianawildlife.org to get involved.

Annual Business Meeting and Conservation Awards Banquet (May 19)

See the short piece on page 11 for more details about this year’s annual busi-ness meeting and conservation awards banquet.

Devotion to Wildlife (June 9)IWF presents the second install-

ment of its annual Devotion to Wildlife concert series. This year’s concert will feature the Wright Brothers Acoustic Trio – Unplugged at West Park in Carmel. Ticketing information will be available soon. Please contact us for volunteer and sponsorship information.•

IWF Coming EventsMark your calendars now for these special events

Another successful Member Appreciation Celebration

IWF members enjoy homemade chili and desserts during the 2011 Member Appreciation Celebration. Thank you to our helpful cooks and donors.

4 | Hoosier Conservation Meet us on the Internet

At IWF, we are always preparing the future—looking for upcoming grants, planning new projects, coordinating workshops and events. We thought it might be valuable to take a look at the last year and recount some of our favorite events and accomplishments. Take a min-ute to relive a few highlights from 2011.

New Executive Director (January)

The year started with a major change to IWF’s leadership. Barbara Simpson replaced former Executive Director John Goss, who was appointed Asian carp director by the Council on Environmental Quality. A co-founder of Casting Re-covery Indiana, advisory board member of IUPUI’s Center for Environmental Science, and board member of Friends of Goose Pond, Barb has energized the organization since coming on nearly a year ago.

Marsh Madness (March)An avid supporter of the Goose Pond

Fish and Wildlife Area, IWF attended Marsh Madness, a yearly celebration of the spring water fowl and crane migra-tions to the area. Birds love Goose Pond, which has seen state high counts for a va-riety of species including northern pintail, great egret, white ibis, roseate spoonbill, and king rail. IWF’s Travis Stoelting works as a project advisor for the five-year adaptive management strategy for Goose Pond.

How Healthy is Indiana’s Water? workshop series (March-May)

With funding from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, IWF hit the road to give a series of workshops explain-ing how people interact with water and affect its quality. Marija Watson, our water resources project manager, coordi-nated workshops in all corners of the state. Local experts presented at each workshop, giving attendees valuable tools to improve local water quality. Nearly 150 people at-tended the workshops.

Online kids contest and Earth Day (April)

Over 500 elementary school stu-dents participated in this year’s What’s in Your Wild Backyard? online contest. The contest leads into National Wildlife Week and Earth Day, an important time each year to highlight the importance of wildlife and conservation. We took our message to the popular Earth Day Indiana festival in Indianapolis and built bird feeders with 100 children. We expect the contest and Earth Day celebration to be even more popular next time.

Conservation Awards Banquet/ Annual Meeting (June)

An enthusiastic crowd met at Pokagon State Park late last spring to honor this year’s Conservation Award winners. With the exception of Julie Kandal, this year’s recipients live in northern Indiana and have done important work for wild-life in the area. Other winners include Lynn Burry, State Rep. Dick Dodge, Jim Lake, Little River Wetlands Project, Thom Maher, Jeanette Neagu, and Brian Salomon.

Devotion to Wildlife: Jennie DeVoe in concert (July)

Last summer we produced the first installment of Devotion to Wildlife an annual summer concert series featuring local artists. Jennie DeVoe rocked West Park in Carmel while we introduced a captive audience to the Indiana Wildlife Federation and recognized Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation for West Park’s Wildlife Friendly Certification.

NRCS partnership: Conservation Outreach Program & Healthy Rivers-WRP Project (August-ongoing)

The federal Farm Bill offers extensive funding opportunities for farmers to implement conservation projects on their land. Last summer, IWF began partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to educate landowners in key areas about managing their land for wildlife. An ongoing series of workshops gives farmers the information they need to enroll their land in these critical programs.

2011 was a busy and productive year

At the America’s Path to Energy Progress breakfast are (from the left) Jeremy Symons, NWF; Sen. Richard Lugar; Barbara Simpson; Gene Hopkins, IWF board member; Admiral John Natham, USN (ret.)

Hoosier Conservation | 5www.indianawildlife.org

Hoosier Outdoor Experience (September)

This September, IWF connected with hundreds of families DNR’s annual Hoo-sier Outdoor Experience at Fort Harrison State Park. We built birdfeeders with kids while educating their parents about IWF’s priorities and goals.

Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force (September –ongoing)

During the last legislative session, the Indiana Conservation Alliance pushed for the creation of the Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force, a group of public and non-governmental leaders working to assess the status of Indiana’s conservation initiatives and compare them with other states’ programs. IWF serves on the task force and will make recommendations about how to best help Indiana’s wildlife.

2nd annual Member Appreciation Celebration (October)

Members enjoyed free food, drinks, and entertainment at our second annual Member Appreciation Celebration.

America’s Path to Progress Breakfast (October)

IWF supported the America’s Path to Progress Breakfast, which featured a discussion on the future of America’s en-ergy security by Sen. Richard Lugar and Admiral John Natham, USN (ret). Lugar and Natham highlighted the importance of finding homegrown energy sources, and IWF’s Barbara Simpson explained the connection between energy security and wildlife.

Accomplishments, Projects & Progress Wildlife at the Statehouse

IWF worked hard with the General Assembly and other conservation organi-zations to ensure legislation accounted for wildlife during the 2011 session. Fund-ing for Indiana Heritage Trust took a big hit: only $100,000 was allocated for the biennial budget, 10 percent of INCA’s

typical request. The final budget included $500,000 in general fund appropriations and $3.6 million in dedicated funding for Clean Water Indiana. Legislation to create the Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force passed with strong support from INCA.

Other significant successes include the passage of a bill extending the expira-tion date of the lake management work group and a resolution establishing the constitutional right to fish and hunt in Indiana.

Our “P-Free” bill, which would have restricted the application of phosphorus-enriched lawn fertilizers on mature lawn, did not pass. A new version of the bill will come up again in 2012.

Wildlife Friendly Habitat certifications

Over the last two years, IWF has helped landowners, park departments, and businesses transform over 700 acres of land to viable habitat through almost 30 Wildlife Friendly Habitat Program projects.

Career development at IWFIWF provides internships for students

interested in hands-on conservation and nonprofit experience. This year we worked with four excellent interns from DePauw, Butler, and Purdue. Each had a unique ex-perience, helping expand the phosphorus project to include college campuses, assist-ing with our online kids contest, doing on the ground work for habitat projects, and organizing volunteers.

Taking phosphorus to school

After running the successful water quality workshop series, we decided to focus on encour-aging Indiana’s colleges and uni-versities to accom-modate for wildlife in their sustainabil-ity planning. Our NWF campus ecol-ogy intern laid the

groundwork by contacting students and faculty around the state and developing content for our Landscaping the Sustain-able Campus guide. Several schools have already expressed interest in participating in the program.

Weighing in on national issuesSupport from the National Wildlife

Federation has allowed IWF to continue important work on regional and national issues.

IWF’s participation in the America’s Path to Progress Energy Breakfast illus-trated the importance of wildlife conser-vation when tackling energy issues. Next spring IWF and the Lugar Center for Renewable Energy at IUPUI will create a forum to highlight Indiana’s alternative energy potential.

We have also worked with state and re-gional officials on enforcing the guidelines set forth in the Great Lakes Compact, an important interstate agreement manag-ing withdrawals of water from the Great Lakes Basin.

USFWS Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds

IWF participated in the application process for this challenge grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. India-napolis became one of 19 cities to sign the treaty, which will fund projects to restore and protect local bird habitat. The Indianapolis Office of Sustainabil-ity and Indy Parks and Recreation will partner with conservation organizations to plan and implement habitat projects.•

6 | Hoosier Conservation Meet us on the Internet

The winter solstice on December 21 brings in

the wintertide for the tri-state. The landscape changes as the deciduous trees seek dor-mancy and bare their intricate branches.

Some wildlife seem to disappear from the landscape altogether this time of the year. Many of our native wild-life species go through some type of hibernation or torpor to survive the winter.

The term hibernation is widely used to describe an animal’s inactivity during winter. This inactivity differs greatly from species to species.

In true hibernation physi-ological changes occur in the animal’s body that cause a decline in temperature, pulse, and other functions. In temporary hibernation, or torpor, an animal is inactive, but there are not significant changes in the animal’s physi-ological conditions.

Some butterflies migrate, and some butterflies hiber-nate. A few native butterflies in our area hibernate nearby in the winter.

The mourning cloak, the eastern comma and the beautiful question mark but-terflies retreat from the cold temperatures to the trees and brush for shelter. They gather between the crevices under tree bark or in dead trees and snags.

Natural habitat is essential for these beneficial insects. Butterfly houses, as decorative as they may be, are not favored by hibernating butterflies. Native trees, shrubs, leaf litter and brush piles offer protective shelter to hibernating but-terflies in cooler months. Hibernating wildlife should not be disturbed.

As winter ensues, I miss the gorgeous insects. If the temperature rises on a rare

winter’s day, a stray butterfly may emerge. I have seen a glimpse of a butterfly in

flight during the off-season. Some but-terflies, including the eastern comma, are so well camouflaged that spotting them among the trees in a heavily wooded area is extremely difficult.

In the warmer months, the native five-lined skinks frequent the backyard habitat. In the colder months, the ground skinks retreat into the safety of the soil.

Hibernation in reptiles and amphib-ians is referred to as brumation. The time spent in brumation depends on the temperature, on the availability of light

and on the species. Sometimes the brumation period lasts for months.

The skinks do not go into a deep sleep. As their bodies ac-climate to the colder tempera-tures, their metabolism slows down considerably.

While the skinks are bru-mating, they will stop eating. They can go for months with-out feeding, but the skinks must occasionally drink some water. Getting a drink must be a daunting task in this slowed and dormant state.

Depending on the species, bats may migrate or hibernate in the winter. When bats are hibernating in their winter shelters, they are said to be in hibernacula. Many bat species are found in Indiana including the big brown, the big-eared, the silver-haired, the northern and the pipistrelle.

These bats utilize caves systems in the winter. The gray bat, the southeastern bat and the Indiana bat also spend winter in our caves. These three native bat species are on the endangered species list.

Bats are extremely benefi-cial mammals, and their cave habitats are fragile. Whether bats hibernate or migrate, nat-

ural habitat is vital for the bat population. For the most part, artificial bat boxes are not necessarily the bats’ preferred choice.

Providing and protecting natural habi-tat is crucial for these and other hibernat-ing wildlife species.

Find information on our native bats and other non-game species at www.IN.gov/dnr. Learn more about how to provide suitable habitat to help sustain na-tive wildlife at www.indianawildlife.org.•

Julie was honored as the 2011 Conservation Communicator of the Year at IWF’s annual Conservation Awards Banquet.

is a time to rest for many wildlife species

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n By Julie Kandal

Hoosier Conservation | 7www.indianawildlife.org

iWF Affiliate ClubsConservation clubs joined together in

1938 to form a statewide association that became the Indiana Wildlife Federation. The current affiliates are the backbone of the organization, implementing a variety of conservation programs. Thank you for joining or continuing your support of IWF.

Allen County Coon HuntersAmos W. Butler Audubon SocietyArrow Head Country RC&DBartholomew County Conservation

CouncilBremen Conservation ClubCentral Indiana Trout UnlimitedCoffee Creek Conservation ClubCold Spring Environmental School

TeachersCrooked Creek Conservation ClubFarmland Conservation ClubIndiana Bass FederationIndiana Bowhunter AssociationIndiana Chapter of the American

Fisheries SocietyIndiana Chapter of the Wildlife SocietyIndiana Lakes Management SocietyIndiana Smallmouth AllianceIndianapolis Fly CastersJefferson Township Conservation ClubLake County Fish & Game Protection

AssociationLaPorte County Conservation CouncilLincoln Hills RC&DLittle River Wetlands ProjectNew Alsace Conservation Club

North Central Indiana Council of Conservation Clubs

North Dearborn Conservation ClubNortheastern Indiana Trout AssociationOaklandon Elementary School Teachers*Pheasants Forever, Central IndianaPheasants Forever, Coal Creek ChapterPheasants Forever, Lagrange CountyPorter County Conservation ClubPretty Lake Conservation ClubReel Women Reel MenRolling Prairie Conservation Club

Saugany Lake Conservation Club*Southwest Conservation ClubSt. Joseph River Valley Fly FishersSunman Dearborn Intermediate

School Teachers*Turn In a Poacher or Polluter*Wabash Valley Audubon Society*New IWF affiliates

Learn more about affiliate member-ships at www.indianawildlife.org/ membership.htm, or contact the IWF office.

Congratulations to the Sunman-Dearborn Intermediate School for earning IWF’s Wildlife Friendly Certification. Their 13-acre outdoor lab has six acres of woodland, six acres of prairie and one acre of wetlands.

8 | Hoosier Conservation Meet us on the Internet

Two morning hunts in November will be forever etched in my memory. Curi-ously, it is the late November doe that inspires me to write rather than the 180-class giant. The doe taken was exceedingly special for one simple reason—my father.

Fourteen years “out of the nest,” a wife, two children, and a different state’s zip code have meant far fewer hours afield to-gether than in the past. The last deer taken by either of us while hunting in the same woods together was at least 15 years ago.

Those years have passed sharing photos by e-mail and stories by phone…a far cry from sharing hunts together.

This November we made time. A doe tag left unfilled and a Wednesday morn-ing off work before Thanksgiving meant Dad and I would go to the woods to-gether. Dad chose not to purchase a costly out-of-state tag, but instead to sit with me on my hunt.

Those two decisions, making time and sitting together, were perhaps the only good ones we made that mattered.

The rest of our special experience gets chalked up to the magic of the outdoors and its ability to often create lasting memories.

We arrived a bit behind schedule. The walk to the field corner I chose was longer and more rugged than expected.

No trees were appropriate for the two climbing stands we brought. Shooting light was upon us before Dad was 10-ft. up in a crooked tree and I was up 15 ft. in one that was just plain silly.

There we sat, however, 30 yards apart and overlooking a field corner. I distinctly remember telling myself that but for the grace of God, we had no right to see deer this morning.

Thirty minutes later a forkhorn angled his way toward us across the field. I made a few grunts and doe bleats to pique his interest and watched him wander by look-ing for love.

Fifteen minutes later, from seemingly nowhere, the doe appeared at 70 yards. Shortly thereafter, I sent my slug toward her front shoulder.

She stumbled 15 yards and out of site from my stand. In quintessential Dad form, “she’s down” came in a loud, firm, matter of fact voice from the tree 30 yards away.

After getting down, we shared our per-spectives from the morning, shook hands, took pictures and cared for the harvest.

It was some of the most memorable two hours of daylight we had spent together in quite some time.

To many, this may all sound like a dry narrative and a shared set of experiences that easily could be replaced with a round of golf or nice lunch together. Those who do hunt understand the difference, and have had a similar experiences afield that has been etched in memory.

Treasure those you’ve made, and make time for more.•

Making time n By adam

mclane

IWF Treasurer Adam McLane (right) and his father make time over Thanksgiving for a successful hunting trip.

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Hoosier Conservation | 9www.indianawildlife.org

n By Tim ScoTT

The St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers has promoted the art of fly fishing for 40 years of educational, social and conserva-tion work within Indiana and southwest Michigan. Its nearly 200 members have taken advantage of excellent volunteers to teach fly tying, how to improve cold water streams and just have a great time with the sport.

“Every 10 years or so we seem to have more new members joining SJRVFF, so we felt it was time to have a stronger emphasis on education and conserva-tion,” said Todd Ezzell, incoming board president.

“It is time to teach the new members how to take care of our streams and how to continue the art of fly fishing as the older members have taught us. This is why our club has kept going on for the past 40 years.”

Three years ago SJRVFF started a series of entry-level classes: trout 101, small-mouth 101 and salmon 101. These are in-teractive classes that teach new fly fishers

the basics of successfully catching each species of fish pertaining to each class.

SJRVFF volunteers go through tactics, equipment, safety, rigging and casting for each species. Then two students are paired with one SJRVFF volunteer guide who takes them to the water to put what they have learned into practice.

“We have people step into the stream for the first time and catch their first trout or smallmouth. I think the guides are more excited than the anglers,” said Ezzell. “The classes are getting people involved and interested in other aspects of the club, like the club’s conservation work.”

SJRVFF has taken an active role in improving the conditions of cold-water streams, especially the Dowagiac Creek in Cassopolis and Berrien counties of Michigan.

The club has worked long and hard to help narrow the stream, which im-proves water flow. This lowers the stream temperature and scours out the sediment, creating better trout habitat and better

habitat for trout food sources. The Dowagiac Creek project has been

going on for close to 20 years, and it has become a fine fishery. The club has worked on private stretches where the landowners allow them to fish, as long as they practice catch and release.

Two years ago, SJRVFF partnered with the Notre Dame Fishing Club and started a monofilament program. The club built 28 periscope-like tubes around the rivers and streams, allowing anglers to place their monofilament into the tubes instead of on the river banks or in the water.

Notre Dame Fishing Club members collect the monofilament and return it to Berkley Fishing Corporation for proper recycling.

The members of SJRVFF make the art of fly fishing exciting for all involved. To learn more about SJRVFF’s educational programs or partner with SJRVFF on a monofilament program in your area, please contact us through www.sjrvff.com.•

Tim Scott is former president of SJRVFF.

St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers

40 Years of educating the art of fly fishing

Valparaiso University students help SJRVFF members narrow Dowgaic Creek in Cassopolis, Mich. to improve trout habitat.

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10 | Hoosier Conservation Meet us on the Internet

iWF promotes healthy riversParticipants in the first Conservation Outreach Program field day learn about on the ground conservation practices at the Pinney-Purdue Ag Center in Wanatah.

n By TraviS SToelTing

IWF started work on another new program this fall in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conser-vation Service. IWF’s Healthy Rivers-WRP project is a partnership project to promote wetland restoration and habitat connectivity across Indiana, specifically through the Wetlands Reserve Program and other landowner assistance pro-grams offered by our natural resource agencies.

WRP is a voluntary program offering landowners outstanding opportunities to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property with technical and financial support provided by NRCS.

IWF will host workshops, field days, and one-on-one meetings for landowners and other residents interested in learn-ing about landscape-level restoration of wildlife habitat with WRP and other conservation programs.

The project is designed to offer statewide benefits, with particular emphasis on two Indiana Healthy Rivers Initiative activities. The HRI includes a partnership of resource agencies and organizations that will work with will-ing landowners to permanently protect

43,000 acres located in the f loodplain of the Wabash River and Sugar Creek in west-central Indiana and another 26,000 acres of the Muscatatuck River bottom-lands in southeast Indiana.

By focusing outreach and education in these and other areas of interest, IWF will contribute to one of the largest

conservation initiatives ever undertaken in our state and ultimately provide more wetland habitat in Indiana.

Watch for more information about locations and dates for upcoming events as part of IWF’s Healthy Rivers-WRP Project online at www.indianawildlife.org or by e-mail at info@indianawildlife.org.•

Hoosier Conservation | 11www.indianawildlife.org

n By nicK Werner

The largest land conservation effort ever undertaken by the Department of Natural Resources is making progress as it nears the end of its second year.

The goal of the Healthy Rivers INitia-tive is to permanently protect roughly 69,000 acres in two project areas, a 94-mile section of the Wabash River corridor in west central Indiana, including scenic Sugar Creek, and the Muscatatuck River bottomlands in southern Indiana.

Announced in 2010, the Healthy Riv-ers INitiative, is a partnership with other natural resource agen-cies and organizations including The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resources Conservation Service that will benefit wild-life, enhance public recreation and improve water quality.

At 43,000 acres, the Wabash River project area alone is larger than the combined size of Morgan-Monroe State Forest and Brown County State Park.

“I think this is a game changer,” Healthy Rivers INitiative liaison Angie Tilton said.

HRI permanently protects ground by purchasing it from willing land owners, many of them farmers, or by encouraging the landowners to enroll their ground in conservation easements and other conser-vation programs.

“Some of the farmers have owned this land for years and years,” Tilton said. “They want this land passed down from generation to generation. We understand

that. We just hope they’ll consider some of the conservation programs to help pro-tect the water quality and provide wildlife habitat.”

HRI has purchased 2,700 new acres and enrolled more than 5,000 acres in the federal Wetland Reserve Program. About 26,000 total acres are under some form of permanent protection in both project areas combined, including state properties.

William Maher has sold almost 2,000 acres of agricultural ground along the Wa-bash River to Healthy Rivers INitiative.

Maher called HRI a “solid and meaning-ful plan.” It also helped that his river bottom ground had been a headache.

“It flooded almost every year,” he said. “There were substantial losses.”

Some landowners, however, are still turn-ing a profit on marginal ground with help from federal crop insurance

and a boost in corn and soybean prices. Tilton said the program is working to

overcome obstacles presented by market influences and crop insurance.

“We have several thousands of acres in the process of being purchased,” she said.

With some of the land in public ownership and some of the land in private ownership, the DNR is still working out details on how and where to provide pub-lic access to the land and how to manage the project areas.

The state is also considering expanding the program to include other rivers.•

Conservation Awards Banquet and annual business meeting

Join us Saturday, May 19 at Spring Mill State Park for the Conservation Awards Banquet and annual business meeting. Join us for the annual busi-ness meeting Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until noon. Learn about our current projects and goals for 2012-13, elect new board officers, and vote on newly submitted resolutions.

Members who attend the annual business meeting can weigh in and vote on proposed resolutions. If you have an interest in shaping IWF’s priorities, please plan to attend this important meeting. We value your input.

At 6 p.m., we will honor this year’s outstanding conservationists at the Conservation Awards Banquet.

There are few important dates to keep in mind before May:

March 18: Deadline to submit resolutions for discussion, and poten-tially adoption, at the business meet-ing. Only IWF directors and affiliate organizations can propose resolutions. Visit www.indianawildlife.org/board.htm to view current resolutions.

April 15: Deadline for Conserva-tion Award nominations.

June 15: Deadline for Charles Holt Memorial Scholarship applications

Check www.indianawildlife.org/annualmeeting.htm for online RSVP forms and more details. Use our group code: 518121 when reserving your room at Spring Mill. Save the date, and plan to join us on May 19.•

Land conservation project closes second successful year

The goal of the Healthy Rivers INitiative is to

permanently protect roughly 69,000 acres in two project areas, a 94-mile section of the Wabash River corridor

in west central Indiana, including scenic Sugar

Creek, and the Muscatatuck River bottomlands in

southern Indiana.

4715 W. 106th StreetZionsville, IN 46077

Vol. 50 No. 4

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