Indiana 2011 CONSERVATION REPORT GREAT LAKES/ATLANTIC REGIONAL OFFICE

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1 Indiana 2011 CONSERVATION REPORT GREAT LAKES/ATLANTIC REGIONAL OFFICE DU SUPPORTS PATOKA RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ACQUISITIONS Ducks Unlimited (DU) has been a proud supporter of the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for nearly two decades, and in that time has partnered on numerous conservation efforts with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to protect and restore waterfowl habitat. Over the years, DU and the FWS have acquired hundreds of acres of wetlands and uplands, and restored and reforested hundreds of acres more, including showcase projects like the Cane Ridge moist soil managed wetlands and the Dillin moist soil unit. In 2010, DU, with funding from the Estate of William Walker, partnered with the FWS, Izaak Walton League, Evansville Audubon Society, and Quail Unlimited to acquire three properties totaling 155 acres for inclusion into the Patoka River NWR. The largest of these acquisitions was the Clements Tract, an 85-acre property that makes up the majority of what is locally known as Grey Woods Swamp. This large complex of emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested wetlands provides high quality migration and wintering habitat for numerous species of waterfowl and other migratory birds, and is also a highly popular waterfowl hunting area. The other two acquisitions include the 38-acre Willis Tract and 32-acre Gladish Tract. Each of these tracts is composed of a mixture of emergent and scrub-shrub wetlands and upland grasslands, providing quality breeding, migration and wintering habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. These properties are now protected in perpetuity as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system and are open to the public for a variety of outdoor-based recreation. The recently purchased Clements Tract at Patoka River NWR will provide an additional 85 acres of wetlands for public enjoyment. The recently purchased Gladish and Willis Tracts at Patoka River NWR will protect crucial migration habitat for waterfowl. Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office 1

2 HABITAT HAPPENINGS WABASH RIVER NAWCA CONTINUES SUCCESS In March 2010, Ducks Unlimited (DU), in partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Duke Energy, The Nature Conservancy, National Wild Turkey Federation, Vigo County Parks Department, Wabash River Development and Beautification, Inc., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service secured a $1,000,000 North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant to permanently protect and restore approximately 4,000 acres of wetlands in southwestern Indiana. The partners efforts in the Wabash River watershed will target waterfowl migration, wintering, and breeding habitat within the largest river corridor in Indiana. DU and its partners have already completed many notable The recently established Wabashiki FWA is the central component of the Wabash River NAWCA grant. conservation projects through the NAWCA grant, including the acquisition of the MIG and International Paper Tracts which together total over 1,500 acres of bottomland habitat that is now permanently protected and will be open to the public for a variety of outdoor-based recreation. These acquisitions laid the groundwork for IDNR to open the new Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) to the public in the summer of With an additional 2,000 acres of bottomlands adjacent to the Wabash River near Terre Haute identified for future acquisition and restoration, Wabashiki FWA will ultimately encompass approximately 5,000 acres of wetlands important to migrating and wintering waterfowl and breeding wood ducks. NORTHEAST POTHOLES INITIATIVE CONTINUES SUCCESS For more than a decade, the Northeast Potholes Initiative has been one of Ducks Unlimited s (DU) most successful conservation programs in the state of Indiana. In partnership with many other conservation entities, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Pheasants Forever, DU has successfully established 1,170 acres of native prairie grasslands and restored 255 acres of emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested wetlands, including 46 acres conserved in The overwhelming majority of these restorations have occurred in Elkhart, LaGrange, Steuben, Kosciusko, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, and Allen Counties in northeastern Indiana. Funding for the Northeast Potholes Initiative has been provided by DU Major Sponsors, two North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants, the NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund, the SportDOG Brand Conservation Fund, and funds from conservation partners. Northeast Indiana was historically dotted with countless small wetlands surrounded by large expanses of native grasses, that combined to offer high-quality nesting and brooding habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Much of this habitat has been cleared and drained to facilitate agriculture and other developments but remains available for restoration. In cooperation with conservation-minded private landowners, DU and its partners have been able to return productive wildlife habitat to the landscape of northeastern Indiana. An emergent wetland and native prairie restored through the Northeast Potholes Initiative in DeKalb County. 2

3 HABITAT HAPPENINGS KANKAKEE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RESTORATION COMPLETED Ducks Unlimited (DU) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) began planning for the restoration of 125 acres of emergent wetlands at Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) in the spring of The plan was for DU s engineering services staff to provide the topographic survey, engineering design and pre-construction staking while the IDNR completed the construction aspects of the project. Although the DU design was completed as expected, back-to-back years of record-breaking floods delayed construction of the project until late In the spring of 2010, the IDNR seeded the restored wetland to a diverse mix of moist soil vegetation of high food value to waterfowl and other migratory birds. The restored wetland, located west of the Kankakee FWA office, has already seen heavy use by a diversity of migrating and wintering waterfowl. The IDNR intends to manage the large wetland as a refuge for waterfowl and other birds as they migrate through northwest Indiana. Funding for this project was provided by the DU and IDNR restored this 125-acre emergent wetland at the Kankakee FWA. Indiana Grand Kankakee Marsh Restoration Project through a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant for habitat conservation in the Kankakee River watershed. DU/DUKE ENERGY PARTNERSHIP PROTECTS BOTTOMLANDS As part of a more than decade-long conservation partnership with Duke Energy, Ducks Unlimited (DU) purchased 32 acres of agricultural bottomlands along the South Fork of the Patoka River in The Cousert Tract will be reforested to a rich mixture of bottomland hardwood trees in the spring of 2011, and an easement will be granted to Duke Energy for the atmospheric carbon the trees will sequester over their lifespan. Additionally, DU is working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) staff at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to identify potential wetland restoration projects on the property. These restorations would provide additional seasonal wetland habitat important to waterfowl, particularly during spring migration. After The recently acquired Cousert Tract will be reforested to successful completion of the restoration and reforestation efforts on bottomland hardwood trees and included into the Patoka the Cousert Tract, DU will sell the property to the FWS for inclusion River NWR. into the Patoka River NWR and re-invest the revenue from the sale into additional land protection efforts in the area. Since 1998, DU and Duke Energy have partnered to conserve more than 2,600 acres of waterfowl habitat in southern Indiana. FIELD B RESTORATION UNDERWAY In the spring of 2009, Ducks Unlimited (DU) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) identified another wetland restoration opportunity at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) in Greene County. Referred to by the IDNR as Field B, this former wetland basin was previously drained with ditches, field tiles, and culverts to facilitate row-crop agriculture. DU, in partnership with the IDNR, National Wild Turkey Federation and Duke Energy, are restoring this former emergent wetland by removing the culverts and installing a water control structure that was designed by DU engineering staff. The IDNR will manage the restored wetland to provide a mix of moist soil and emergent vegetation, and flooded grain for the benefit of migrating and wintering waterfowl and other wildlife. Significant funding for this project comes from a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant awarded to DU on behalf of the project partners. DU engineering staff provided the topographic survey, engineering design and preconstruction staking services for this project that will be constructed by IDNR in the spring of Once complete, this project will add 200 acres of managed The 200-acre Field B at Goose Pond FWA is being restored from cropland to emergent wetland. wetland habitat to the already large and diverse complex of wetlands and native grasslands at Goose Pond FWA. Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office 3

4 The Place Trail Marsh enhancement project was completed in August 2010, and will provide improved wetland conditions for migrating waterfowl. HABITAT HAPPENINGS KANKAKEE FWA ENHANCEMENT UNDERWAY Beginning in 2007, Ducks Unlimited (DU) partnered with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) on a multi-year project to enhance approximately 250 acres of waterfowl migration and brood-rearing habitat at Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area. Thanks to a donation of herbicide from Dow AgroSciences to DU through the CropLife America Program, 300 gallons of Rodeo herbicide were contributed to the IDNR to conduct woody invasive and herbaceous weed control throughout five managed wetland units totaling 250 acres. Due to flooding, initiating the herbicide treatment was delayed until the summer of Since that time, the IDNR has enhanced 60 acres of emergent and scrub-shrub wetlands. The IDNR plans to treat the remaining acres over the next two years. The enhanced wetland habitats resulting from this project will provide an increased benefit to breeding and migrating waterfowl and other migratory birds. PLACE TRAIL MARSH ENHANCED With funding provided by the Indiana Grand Kankakee Marsh Restoration Project through a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant, Ducks Unlimited (DU) partnered with the St. Joseph County Parks Department to enhance 80 acres of emergent wetlands at Place Trail Marsh in St. Joseph County. DU engineering staff provided project oversight for the installation of a new water control structure which will allow the Parks Department to more effectively manage water levels and sustain quality wetland habitat within the western unit of Place Trail Marsh. The wetland habitat within this unit had become degraded, unproductive and was dominated by woody invasive species due to the lack of ability to control water levels. With the restored water level management capability, property managers have begun to re-establish high quality emergent wetlands at Place Trail Marsh for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife. DU donated 300 gallons of herbicide to the IDNR to help control invasive plants and enhance wetlands at Kankakee FWA. GET INDIANA PRIDE Small pothole-like wetlands, expansive bottomland hardwoods, and large areas of fertile prairie once dominated the Indiana landscape making this area extremely attractive to breeding and migrating waterfowl. Over time, Indiana has lost over 85% of its wetlands and 99% of its grasslands and continues to lose habitat at an alarming rate. Restoration and protection of wetlands and associated grasslands are vital to increase habitat for breeding and migrating waterfowl as well as other wildlife, and to reduce nutrient and sediment inputs into area lakes and streams. Indiana PRIDE (Putting Resources Into Ducks Everywhere) is a major gift campaign developed by Ducks Unlimited (DU) to secure Major Sponsors in support of habitat conservation and our waterfowling heritage. Indiana PRIDE offers DU Major Sponsors the option of directing their gift toward the statewide Indiana Conservation Program, a specific Indiana Conservation Priority Area, or toward other continental DU priorities. Donors also have the option to fulfill their pledge over a five-year period and receive cumulative credit for past DU contributions. In turn, PRIDE donors are recognized on a permanent monument at a DU project located in Indiana. These PRIDE dollars are leveraged by DU conservation staff against other funding sources, such as federal grants and conservation partner monies, to effectively turn each PRIDE dollar into four or more for conservation in Indiana! To learn more about Indiana PRIDE, contact a DU Regional Director, Indiana s Major Gift Chairman, the Indiana Director of Development, or the Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office. DU major donors, their families, and Governor Daniels were recognized at the Goose Pond FWA PRIDE dedication in September

5 CONSERVATION SUMMARY DUCKS UNLIMITED PROJECTS completed featured Note: Project points may represent more than one project. Northeast Potholes Initiative Place Trail Marsh Patoka River NWR Acquisition 2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 38 completed projects 884 acres conserved 12,428 acres of technical assistance $412,842 invested MEET YOUR INDIANA BIOLOGIST Michael Sertle has directed Ducks Unlimited s conservation programs in Indiana and southwest Michigan since May Michael previously worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in North Dakota where he conducted waterfowl, wetland, and endangered species research. Michael holds a bachelor s degree in Zoology from Western Illinois University, and a master s degree in Wildlife Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Michael is an avid waterfowl and deer hunter, and enjoys fishing and playing rugby. Contact Information: Michael Sertle Regional Biologist msertle@ducks.org Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office 5

6 SUPPORTING THE VISION DUCKS, POLITICIANS AND LOBBYISTS ADVANCING DU S MISSION THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY Although Ducks Unlimited has worked on behalf of waterfowl and wetlands conservation for 74 years, it s only recently that any effort has been directed at our national and state capitals. A strong biological foundation has always been the cornerstone of DU s conservation programs, but science also tells us that we also have to consider the social and political environment and get engaged where we can make a difference. Perhaps the most significant policy work in which DU engages concerns the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Each year DU advocates on NAWCA appropriations that yield millions of dollars for habitat conservation in the United States, Canada and Mexico. NAWCA is a model federal program that encourages partnerships and creative leveraging of funds to produce on-theground results that benefit waterfowl and many other species of fish and wildlife. Much of NAWCA s success is related to the many DU members and volunteers working with their elected officials to ensure that the program receives adequate funding. Another significant policy issue affecting the entire United States is the Farm Bill, which will be up for renewal in The Farm Bill is where highly wildlife-friendly programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) originate. Both of these programs, plus others, have provided millions of acres of not only high quality wildlife habitat, but conservation lands that serve all of society through reduced soil erosion, improved water quality and improved carbon sequestration. The current budget situation will make for tough times in negotiating for conservation programs in the new Farm Bill. A high priority will be the inclusion of a strong sodsaver provision that will remove federal incentives for converting native grasslands. DU will be advocating for conservation programs to be an integral part of a working lands approach to America s farms and ranches. Although duck hunters and wetland conservationists may not consider themselves lobbyists we all are. We can either voice our concerns and needs to our elected officials, or we can remain silent lobbyists. DU would like to invite all of you to act on behalf of the waterfowl we love by visiting DU s policy web page at You can also receive the latest policy news by subscribing to DU s Conservation Issues Briefing at Thank you! A gift of real estate is an excellent way to support Ducks Unlimited and take advantage of significant tax deductions. You have several options when donating real estate, each with unique benefits for both you and DU. GIVING OPTIONS: Outright gift of real estate. Real estate that you no longer wish to own, but is owned outright and readily marketable can be gifted to DU. Gift of real estate with retained life use. You may gift your principle residence to DU and retain the right to continue to live and use the property for the rest of your life. Such a gift is deductible in the year the gift is made, not at the end of the retained life interest. Gift of real estate through CRT. For landowners who wish to continue to gain income from their property, there is an option called a Charitable Remainder trust, or CRT. The owner transfers the property to the trust, the trust sells the property, usually avoiding capital gains taxes (check with your tax advisor) and then the proceeds of the sale are invested to provide income to the owner for their life. The owner should receive a tax deduction for the gift and DU receives the balance of the trust after their death. There are a number of options available, please visit DU s gift planning website at: 6

7 SUPPORTING THE VISION CONSERVATION IN TOUGH TIMES Jim Ringelman, Director of Conservation Programs at the Great Plains Regional Office It s apparent that our nation is in for some financial belt-tightening. As deficits soar and people struggle to make ends meet, the search is on to cut back on frills. One can t help but wonder about the implications for conservation. Most DU members place conservation high on their list of personal values. Preserving the wetlands and waterfowl that we hold dear has, for decades, motivated many of you to give generously of your time and wealth. Unfortunately, not everyone in our nation shares the same viewpoint, so it s worth considering how DU s conservation programs add value to society as a whole. For example, research has shown investments in conservation offer a hundredfold return on capital. The reason for this extraordinary return has to do with what s called ecosystem services performed by wetlands and grasslands, which are the focus of DU s conservation programs. These habitats, abundant in priority landscapes like the Prairie Pothole Region, Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Gulf Coast, Chesapeake Bay and the Central Valley of California, also purify water, recharge aquifers, moderate flooding and offer dozens of other benefits that would be extraordinarily costly to replace. If that s not enough practical benefit from conservation, consider that medical science has demonstrated clear linkages between connecting with nature and ameliorating ADD, lowering blood pressure, and offering general improvement in physical and mental health. Increasingly, nature persists through the dedicated efforts of organizations like Ducks Unlimited. So as we think about how to get our financial house in order, let s remind decision-makers that conservation is anything but a frill. DU INDIANA GRASSROOTS & CONSERVATION The minimum conservation goal for each state is to spend the equivalent of 7.5% of total grassroots income raised in that state. This is based on a five-year average. 350,000 $333,791 Conservation Expenditures ($) 300, , , , ,000 50,000 $34,248 5-Year Average Conservation Expenditure Goal 5-Year Average Conservation Expenditure Actual Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office 7

8 GOVERNOR DANIELS COMMITTED TO WETLANDS CONSERVATION On September 26, 2010, Ducks Unlimited (DU) presented Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels with a Conservation Leadership Award recognizing his efforts to make Indiana a national leader in public land conservation. The award presentation took place at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area during a celebration attended by conservationists to acknowledge the acquisition and ongoing restoration of the more than 8,000-acre property. Governor Mitch Daniels (center) receives a bronze sculpture from Indiana DU State Chairman, Curt Lee, and DU Director of Public Policy, Gildo Tori, in recognition of his commitment to wetland conservation. FRIENDS OF DUCKS UNLIMITED Long after no one can remember who was governor or what else got done in our era, Goose Pond and our other major projects will be there for the protection of Indiana s natural beauty and the enjoyment of the Hoosiers who follow us, Daniels said. Of all the changes we ve made and projects we ve made happen, none will ever matter more to me. Under Governor Daniels leadership, the state of Indiana announced the launch of a major conservation initiative to acquire 43,000 acres of river corridor along 94 miles of the Wabash River and Sugar Creek in west-central Indiana and another 26,000 acres along the Muscatatuck River in southern Indiana. DU is a strong partner in the project through the Wabash River North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant. Additionally, during Governor Daniel s tenure, Indiana has witnessed the protection of more than 34,000 acres of sensitive habitat through the Indiana Heritage Trust program, the development and opening of the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area near Terre Haute, and the beginning remediation of the Grand Calumet River s West Branch in northwest Indiana. INDIANA PRIDE DONORS RECOGNIZED AT GOOSE POND FWA In September 2010, Ducks Unlimited (DU) recognized forty major donors and their families with a project dedication and bronze cairn unveiling at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. In attendance at the event were DU major donors, volunteers, conservation partners, members of the media, and Governor Daniels. Indiana DU State Chair Curt Lee gave remarks recognizing the value of private funding and conservation partners in effectively delivering valuable habitat in Indiana. He talked about the importance of major donor contributions restricted for use in Indiana through the PRIDE program (Putting Resources Into Ducks Everywhere, see page 4 of this report) and how they provide the seed money that DU uses to leverage additional monies for wetland protection and restoration. The reason we can dedicate properties like Goose Pond is the commitment of so many partners to the task, Lee said. Without the combined resources of all of our partners and DU supporters, we wouldn t be able to restore this productive area. We benefit from the support of the governor, too. They re all pieces in the conservation puzzle. The nice thing about working at Goose Pond is that we re continuing to add productive acres for wildlife and people to enjoy, Mike Sertle, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist, noted. We ve been working here for years, slowly restoring the area to a real showcase wetland and waterfowl habitat. DU partnered with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council and 11 other conservation partners to acquire and restore the property. The Goose Pond FWA was acquired through a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant, and restored through both the Wetlands Reserve Program and additional smaller NAWCA grants. With more than 6,000 acres of restored emergent, scrubshrub and forested wetlands and 2,000 acres of established native prairie and hardwood forests, Goose Pond FWA is one of the premier conservation success stories in the Midwestern United States. DU staff, IDNR conservation partners, and Governor Daniels at the Goose Pond FWA PRIDE dedication Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, MI (Fax)