Successes
Protection, Restoration and Land Acquisition
- A new 95 acre addition to Loblolly Marsh and Limberlost Swamp in Geneva was purchased in May 2009. The 95 acres is composed of three separate in-holdings which will be returned to wetland and prairie. This area was once home to a 13,000 acre swamp which inspired much of Hoosier author Gene Stratton-Porter’s work.
- 8,000 acre Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area was acquired in May 2005 with support from the INRF and is currently being restored to natural Indiana wetlands.
- The Judy Burton Nature Preserve was acquired with support from the INRF. These 129.7 acres on the southwest side of Lake Manitou, contain a complex of wetlands, upland “islands” of oak and hickory, lake frontage and agricultural fields. This area serves as important nesting habitat for a number of rare birds and is home to a variety of rare species and plants.
Education
- Hoosier Outdoor Experience was Indiana’s first foray into large-scale, hands-on outdoor recreation events. The program shared the joys and healthy benefits of outdoor recreation through 50 different activities hosted by 120 partner groups. Over 13,300 outdoor rookies attended. Thanks to the Ball Brothers Foundation and Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust for helping fund this incredibly successful endeavor. Click here for information on 2010: HoosierOutdoorExperience.IN.gov.
- Footprints, Balancing Nature’s Diversity is an educational exhibit at the Indiana State Museum sponsored by the INRF. http://www.indianamuseum.org/footprints/
- The Natural Heritage of Indiana is a documentary based on the Marion Jackson book by the same title and sponsored by the INRF. http://www.wfyi.org/naturalheritageindiana.asp
- C-52 Memorial Raptor Program uses living hawks, owls and other raptors to teach children and adults the role raptors play in nature and of our successful reintroduction programs. These raptors are cared for by a fund in the Foundation. http://www.in.gov/dnr/c52/WhoIsC52.html
