Funding likely for wetland protection and restoration within theWabash River Corridor

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Jan. 8, 2010 – The North American Wetlands Conservation Council recently recommended Ducks Unlimited be awarded a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant to protect and restore wetland habitat along the Wabash River Corridor in Vermillion, Parke, Putnam, Vigo, Clay, Owen, Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Gibson, and Pike Counties of Indiana. A portion of this project area has also been selected for the creation of the Indiana Department of Natural Resource's (IDNR) new Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) This FWA will be situated along a 17-mile stretch of the Wabash River, ultimately encompassing thousands of acres of bottomland forest and floodplain wetlands.

"This is a great example of the benefits of private and public entities working together to improve our communities and the environment," said Rep. Brad Ellsworth. "I commend Ducks Unlimited and its partners for their continued work in conserving and restoring habitat in the Wabash River corridor. Through these efforts, we can maximize the benefit to taxpayers and residents of the 8th District while preserving and protecting this important natural resource."

Ducks Unlimited partnered with the IDNR, Duke Energy, The Nature Conservancy, National Wild Turkey Federation, the Vigo County Parks Department, Wabash River Development & Beautification Inc., the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide matching and non-matching funds to leverage NAWCA funding.

"The Wabash River NAWCA is an amazing opportunity for Ducks Unlimited, the IDNR, and our partners to provide over 4,000 acres of new habitat for the wildlife and people of Indiana," said Michael Sertle, Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist for Indiana. "NAWCA grants are a crucial funding source for conservation partnerships, allowing us to leverage state and partner funds against federal dollars to cooperatively protect and restore thousands of acres of critical wetland habitat for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife, and we look forward to final funding approval in March."

Approximately $2,383,417 in matching and non-matching funds from project partners and $1,000,000 in NAWCA grant funds will protect and restore emergent and forested wetlands critical to waterfowl in southwestern Indiana. Conservation work is expected to take place over the next five years. The partners' efforts in the Wabash River watershed will target waterfowl migration, wintering, and breeding habitat within the largest river corridor in Indiana, creation of a new IDNR FWA, expansion of existing nature preserves, and restoration of private wetlands important for waterfowl production and migration and other wildlife. Agriculture and mining development dominate the landscape and have resulted in drained wetlands, loss of historic deciduous forest and prairie, eroded stream banks, nutrient loading in waterways, and general habitat loss. This project will protect, restore, and enhance emergent, forested, and scrub-shrub wetlands for waterfowl, other migratory birds, other wildlife, fish, and the people of Indiana.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved nearly 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

Kristin Schrader
734.623.2000
kschrader@ducks.org