A primary focus of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Indiana is the restoration of wetlands and associated uplands for migratory birds. In the northeast pothole region, this takes the form of wetland basins (marshes) surrounded by upland native prairie, which provides breeding and migration habitat for waterfowl such as mallard and blue-winged teal, and marsh birds such as rails, bitterns, and herons. In watersheds with large floodplain areas, such as the Kankakee, Patoka, and Muscatatuck Rivers, the focus is more on the restoration of bottomland hardwood wetlands, which provide the primary breeding habitat for wood ducks in Indiana, as well as migration and breeding habitat for neotropical migratory songbirds. In addition, the federally endangered Indiana bat utilizes riparian (streamside) forests for breeding, foraging, and migration habitat. Other unique efforts include restoration work on Fish Creek in northeast Indiana, which is home to the only remaining population of the Federally endangered white cat’s paw pearly mussel.
With 97 percent of Indiana’s land base in private ownership, a major portion of any successful habitat restoration effort must focus on fostering cooperation with private landowners. This is accomplished by targeting the following habitat types with a variety of restoration and enhancement techniques.
Contact Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Indiana
Listed as:
Department of Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service Programs
Contact Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Indiana
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
620 South Walker Street
Bloomington, IN 47403
Phone: 812 334-4261
Fax: 812 334-4273