Wildlife Diversity Section
The Wildlife Diversity Section (WDS) is responsible for the conservation and management of over 750 species of nongame and endangered wildlife.
Nongame refers to any animal species that is not traditionally pursued through hunting and fishing. In Indiana, nongame species are more than 90% of the state’s mammals, birds, fish, mussels, reptiles and amphibians. Many nongame species are common throughout the state – you can see them in a typical outdoor setting, including your own backyard!
Endangered species are any animal species whose prospects for survival or recruitment within the state are in immediate jeopardy and are in danger of disappearing from the state. This includes all species classified as endangered by the federal government that occur in Indiana.
WDS is part of the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Natural Resources. There are currently 6 staff members in WDS all with statewide responsibilities for nongame and endangered species. The chief and staff specialist both work in the Indianapolis DNR offices in the state government center. Our herpetologist and mammalogist are based in Bloomington, our ornithologist is in Mitchell, and our aquatics biologist is at Atterbury Fish and Wildlife area.
In 1982 the state legislature established the Nongame Fund to be used exclusively for the protection, conservation, management and identification of nongame and endangered species. The WDS does not receive any state tax appropriations and is funded through voluntary contributions to the Nongame Fund.
Because the Wildlife Diversity Section depends on donations to the Nongame Fund, we can only conserve Indiana’s wildlife with your help. All donors make a difference to our program.administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These funds are available only as reimbursements for expenditures. Once projects are approved, they are eligible to receive 50 to 75 percent reimbursement. Donations to the Nongame Fund allow the WDS to have the initial money needed to start the reimbursement cycle. In addition, the SWG program enhances donations by reimbursing us 50 - 75 cents for every dollar spent conserving our nongame wildlife!
