Indiana DUKE ENERGY RENEWS SUPPORT OF INDIANA WETLANDS CONSERVATION

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1 GREAT LAKES/ATLANTIC REGIONAL OFFICE Indiana 2009 Conservation Report Great Lakes / Atlantic t Regional Office DUKE ENERGY RENEWS SUPPORT OF INDIANA WETLANDS CONSERVATION In 2007, Duke Energy (formerly Cinergy Corp.) fulfilled a $1 million commitment to Ducks Unlimited in support of habitat conservation in Indiana. This initial partnership resulted in the permanent protection of 130 acres of the Patoka River floodplain and the planting of 539,000 tree seedlings to reforest more than 1,700 acres of bottomland hardwood wetlands in southern Indiana. In 2008, Duke Energy renewed its conservation partnership with Ducks Unlimited by awarding a $95,000 grant through The Duke Energy Foundation. This new financial support will be used to continue and expand DU s habitat conservation, research and public policy efforts in Indiana. Duke Energy funds will support DU s on-the-ground efforts to protect, restore and enhance wetlands in the Indiana Rivers, Ohio-Mississippi Confluence and Ohio Rivers focus areas. DU s research and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff will utilize Duke Energy support to complete an update of the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) in Indiana. The NWI is a mapping database that displays all existing wetlands and has not been updated in Indiana for more than twenty years. Completing this update is essential to assess the extent and current distribution of wetlands in the state. Finally, DU s public policy staff will expand our involvement in climate change and energy policy development, including helping to implement wise water/wetland policies in the state. Many thanks to Duke Energy for their support of wetland conservation in Indiana! Duke Energy honored for dedication to Indiana conservation, pictured: Bret Plasters (DU), Marianne Quinn (Duke), Tim Hayes (Duke), Heather Quinley (Duke), and Bob Hoffman (DU). Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Offi ce 1

2 HABITAT HAPPENINGS DU EXPANDS CONSERVATION FOCUS AREAS IN INDIANA Ducks Unlimited (DU) is committed to ensuring that our conservation programs throughout North America are directed towards the most important landscapes for conserving continental waterfowl populations. To that end, DU s conservation planning and science staff in the Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office identify and implement research to fill important information gaps about waterfowl ecology and wetland habitat. Through this research and a detailed strategic planning process, key landscapes known as focus areas are identified. DU targets about 90% of our staff and financial resources in these focus areas because we know our efforts there will have the greatest impact on waterfowl populations. Illinois River Indiana Rivers Southeast Lake Michigan Lake Erie In 2008, DU updated the strategic plan for the Great Lakes /Atlantic Region. The update incorporated new data from a computer model developed by DU that predicts where mallards will settle on the landscape in the spring to nest, and preliminary data from an ongoing study to determine the spring migration habitat needs of waterfowl and shorebirds in the Great Lakes. The outcome was the development of the Indiana Rivers focus area that includes the watersheds of the Eel, Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers (see map). DU will target the conservation of mallard breeding habitat (restoration of wetlands and the establishment of native warm season grass) in the Eel and Tippecanoe watersheds, and the conservation of migration habitat (protection and restoration of bottomland hardwood wetlands) in the Wabash River watershed. Ohio/Mississippi River Confluence Ohio Rivers DU SECURES NEW NAWCA GRANT FOR NE POTHOLES INITIATIVE An emergent wetland and warm season grassland restored through the Northeast Indiana Potholes Initiative. In 2008, Ducks Unlimited (DU) was awarded a $75,000 grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC) in support of the Northeast Indiana Potholes Initiative. DU accepted this grant on behalf of a coalition of partners that collectively contributed $105,000 of matching funds to the grant, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and Pheasants Forever. DU and these partners will pool grant and matching funds to conserve approximately 270 acres of wetlands and grasslands in northeast Indiana. This is the second grant from the NAWCC received by DU in support of this habitat program. Since 2000, the Northeast Indiana Potholes Initiative has focused on the restoration of small wetlands and adjacent native grass on private lands in 8 northeast Indiana counties to promote waterfowl production. Initiated by DU, USFWS and IDNR, this partnership has been successfully restoring critical mallard and blue-winged teal production habitat in Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley Counties. This region of northeast Indiana is dotted with small wetlands that are surrounded by large expanses of native grass. These habitats combine to offer high-quality nesting and brooding habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Much of this habitat has been cleared or drained to facilitate agriculture and other developments but remains available for restoration. Over the past nine years, DU and its conservation partners have restored more than 200 acres of wetlands and established over 1,000 acres of native grassland nesting habitat in this region. 2

3 HABITAT HAPPENINGS DU CONTRIBUTES TO BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD CONSERVATION AT PATOKA RIVER NWR Ducks Unlimited (DU) continued its support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service s (USFWS) Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) by providing cost-share assistance to acquire another tract of bottomland hardwood wetland for inclusion into the NWR. In 2008, the USFWS purchased the 40-acre Evans property using pooled financial resources, including funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and DU. DU s contribution came from a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant for southwest Indiana and through a bequest from the William A. Walker Estate. This key parcel is located along the Patoka River and adjacent to the 67-acre Dillin moist soil management units that were designed and constructed by DU in Acquisition of this property filled an important gap in the connectivity of protected lands at the NWR, and permanently protects habitat for nesting wood ducks and migrating and wintering waterfowl. The USFWS also purchased the 60-acre Hughes-Brown property from DU in 2008 for inclusion into the NWR. This property was previously purchased and reforested to a diversity of bottomland hardwood trees by DU through our partnership with Duke Energy. Located along the Patoka River, this property will provide excellent migration and wintering habitat for waterfowl and is open to the public. An old river oxbow at the recently acquired Evans Tract at Patoka River NWR DU still owns the 70-acre Clement property which was acquired in 2007 and reforested in 2008 with funding provided by Duke Energy. Our intent is to sell this property to the USFWS for inclusion into Patoka River NWR and reinvest the revenue from the sale into additional conservation work in southwest Indiana. CONSERVATION IN NORTHWEST INDIANA REMAINS STRONG Through our involvement in the Indiana Grand Kankakee Marsh Restoration Project (IGKMRP), Ducks Unlimited (DU) has helped evaluate and prioritize multiple properties for protection, restoration and eventual inclusion into the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) system of protected lands. DU also continues to work with IGKMRP partners to enhance habitat at existing projects, such as Place Trail Marsh in St. Joseph County and the Aukiki Wetland Conservation Area in Jasper County. Additionally, DU and our partners expect to complete two large-scale wetland restoration projects in this region in 2009, including the Beaver Dam Conservation Area in Lake County and a 120-acre wetland restoration at Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area in Starke County. As the cost of conservation increases in this region, DU welcomes the collaboration provided by its partners in identifying the highest quality projects and helping to ensure their long-term success. With projects identified and partnerships built, DU looks forward to a challenging and rewarding future of habitat conservation in northwest Indiana. The Goose Lake wetland located at Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park, designed and constructed by DU in Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Offi ce 3

4 HABITAT HAPPENINGS GET INDIANA PRIDE Small pothole-like wetlands, expansive bottomland hardwoods, and large areas of fertile prairie once dominated the Indiana landscape making the 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 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with special emphasis on the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River ecosystems. This past year DU placed extra emphasis on promoting the Indiana PRIDE program in conjunction with our national Wetlands for Tomorrow fundraising campaign. Indiana PRIDE offers DU Major Sponsors the option of directing their gift toward statewide Indiana conservation programs, a specific Indiana conservation focus area, or 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 who restrict their support to conservation in Indiana are recognized at a DU project located in the state. 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! P R I D E Putting Resources Into Ducks Everywhere For 71 years, with the support of our volunteers, members and donors, Ducks Unlimited has been successful in turning grassroots dollars into habitat throughout North America. Your gift will leave a legacy on the landscape to be enjoyed by future generations and will enhance our rich waterfowling heritage. 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. An example of a PRIDE dedication monument. THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY CONTRIBUTES TO INDIANA CONSERVATION The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) continued its support of Ducks Unlimited (DU) in 2008 by donating 460 gallons of herbicide that will be used to restore and enhance waterfowl habitat in Indiana. DU has provided this donated herbicide to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for use at Kankakee and Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Areas (FWA) in Starke County. IDNR staff will use 300 gallons of Rodeo herbicide to enhance 250 acres of emergent wetlands at the Kankakee FWA by controlling a variety of invasive and noxious plants, including phragmites. IDNR also will use 35 gallons of Milestone and 125 gallons of Garlon 3A herbicides at Willow Slough FWA in Newton County and at other conservation lands in northwest Indiana to enhance hundreds of acres of waterfowl nesting habitat. The monetary value of the donated herbicide will be leveraged against a future North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant or other funding sources to increase the funds available to DU for wetland conservation in the Illinois River focus area of Indiana. GOOSE POND FWA ENHANCEMENT COMPLETED Ducks Unlimited (DU) in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Duke Energy recently enhanced 58 acres of emergent wetlands at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) in Greene County. The majority of the funding for this project was provided by a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant awarded to NWTF on behalf of the conservation partners involved in this project. DU biological and engineering staff worked closely with the IDNR to design and install a new water control structure and improve other management infrastructure at the FWA. This enhancement project will allow the IDNR to effectively control water levels and aquatic plant growth within the 58-acre wetland. The enhanced wetland is located next to large expanses of warm season grass and other restored wetlands and adds significant benefit to the complex of waterfowl habitat at Goose Pond FWA. The IDNR has already reported good waterfowl use and hunter success in this area, and the completion of this project will increase those numbers. 4

5 CONSERVATION SUMMARY 2008 Accomplishments 5 completed projects Northeast Indiana Pothole Initiative Area 485 acres conserved 1,220 acres of technical assistance $246, 078 invested Willow Slough FWA Conservation Patoka River NWR Acquisitions DUCKS UNLIMITED completed current featured Note: Project points may represent more than one project. 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 Offi ce 5

6 GLARO S CONSERVATION VISION The marriage of conservation, policy and science ensures that each and every DU dollar invested in conservation is used as effectively and efficiently as possible. SCIENCE KEY TO INFORMING ON-THE-GROUND CONSERVATION AND PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS A strong biological foundation has always been the cornerstone of Ducks Unlimited s conservation programs since the organization s founding in In fact, DU was responsible for initiating some of the very first survey work on breeding areas across the U.S. and Canadian prairies that helped identify the most critical nesting areas for waterfowl across the continent. Since those early efforts, DU has conducted and funded hundreds of cutting-edge research studies to address important information gaps in waterfowl and wetlands science. The primary function of these research efforts is to provide information to guide, adapt and evaluate our conservation programs and policy actions. Specifically, information gained from carefully designed research is used to: prioritize where we work to achieve the greatest benefit for waterfowl populations. identify appropriate conservation actions required to meet the annual needs of waterfowl identify how and when to adapt our conservation actions to maximize benefits. inform policy decisions that will yield the greatest benefits for waterfowl and wetlands. This marriage of conservation, policy and science ensures that each and every DU dollar invested in conservation is used as effectively and efficiently as possible. habitat required to support wintering American black ducks that ultimately nest in the eastern boreal forest. Current research is focused on the continental connection between the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways and the eastern boreal forest and further refinement of winter habitat requirements along the coast of the Atlantic Flway. From a policy perspective, DU scientists and policy staff are involved in several important issues. Recent Supreme Court actions have jeopardized isolated wetlands. DU is evaluating these impacts on small isolated wetlands, which are critical for waterfowl production. DU is taking policy actions that will ensure protection against further loss and degradation of these wetlands, which are critical to waterfowl, water quality and recreational opportunities. In regards to energy policy, DU is working with energy companies, landowners, and other conservation partners to evaluate the potential impact of alternative energy technologies on waterfowl, such as wind energy and biofuels. We need to ensure alternative energy technologies are waterfowl and wetland-friendly and do not result in further degradation to these important natural resources. Our research programs have help identify the types and amount of habitat required to support breeding mallards in the Great Lakes; the landscape necessary to support spring migrating waterfowl that winter in the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways; and the amount of coastal 6

7 GLARO S CONSERVATION VISION VISION North America s Vanishing Wetlands: Facing the Challenge Poets write about it. Conservationists strive to continue it. Sportsmen dream about it. The migration of North America s waterfowl and other birds is one of nature s grandest and most anticipated events. Wetlands make this migration possible. Wetlands also provide the foundation for North America s water supply. We rely on them for clean and abundant water, flood protection and recreation. Wetlands are vital to us all, yet every 10 minutes another acre of wetlands is drained. Ducks Unlimited: Answering the Challenge To answer the challenge to save North America s wetlands, grasslands and waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited has embarked on the Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign, an ambitious continental effort to raise at least $1.7 billion for wetland habitat conservation. With a proven track record of partnering with the private sector, government and other conservation organizations for nearly 70 years, Ducks Unlimited has restored and conserved nearly 12 million acres of crucial habitat that benefits waterfowl, other wildlife and people. Please join us to learn more about Wetlands for Tomorrow and the initiatives to conserve North America s critical wetlands. North America s most important waterfowl breeding habitat is being plowed under on a massive scale. Surging global demands for food, federal mandates for corn-based ethanol production and the new Farm Bill are encouraging cultivation of every available acre. Act Now To Help DU Save Vital Prairie Breeding Habitats The Rescue the Duck Factory campaign has become a priority for Ducks Unlimited because of new pressures on landowners within the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). The funds raised through this campaign will be directed toward perpetual land easements on native grasslands in the PPR, also known as the duck factory. The Opportunity is Now There are currently 650 landowners offering DU the chance to place permanent easements on native grasslands in North and South Dakota. DU can protect one acre for a one-time investment of only $360. The opportunity is short term, yet the effects of conserving this acreage will last forever. Current funding is low, and we need your help to secure as much of this available acreage as possible! The Goal Our vision is wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. With your contribution we can continue to work toward that goal. This prairie acreage is vital to North American waterfowl production and it s crucial that we act now. The decisions we make in the duck factory right now will directly affect waterfowl populations and our waterfowl hunting heritage for future generations. Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Offi ce 7

8 FRIENDS OF DUCKS UNLIMITED NISOURCE SUPPORTS NE INDIANA POTHOLES INITIATIVE In 2008, the NiSource Environmental Challenge Fund (ECF) awarded a $5,000 grant to Ducks Unlimited (DU) in support of our Northeast Indiana Potholes Initiative. These funds will be pooled with a recent $75,000 grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and other partner resources to conserve approximately 300 acres of wetlands and grasslands in an eight-county area of northeast Indiana. NiSource grant and symbolic bird house made of recycled plastic bottles presented to DU. Pictured: Rick Ward (USFWS), Brian Kortum (NiSource), and Michael Sertle (DU). The ECF is funded through NiSource s charitable foundation and supports conservation efforts that will provide a positive impact to local communities through improved water quality, nature viewing and related outdoor recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, and education. As DU s newest conservation partner and supporter in Indiana, DU would like to recognize NiSource for its commitment to the wildlife and people of northern Indiana. DU looks forward to future partnership opportunities with NiSource, and the conservation of hundreds of acres of habitat vital to waterfowl production in northeast Indiana. GREENWINGS MIGRATE TO PLACE TRAIL MARSH On Saturday, October 4, 2008, dozens of Greenwings descended upon Place Trail Marsh in St. Joseph County. The warm weather provided a perfect setting for a mini-migration to this wetland complex. However, it wasn t the shallow water and abundant food which attracted these Greenwings, but rather a large plaque with each of their names engraved in it. You see, these were Ducks Unlimited (DU) Greenwings, not the speedy little duck! Place Trail Marsh is a 190-acre wetland complex that was designed and constructed by DU in The St. Joseph County Parks Department owns and manages these wetlands to provide habitat for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife, and recreational opportunities for the public. The quality habitat and aesthetic setting made for a perfect site to hold a Greenwing Legacy dedication. More than 72 Legacy Greenwing members and their parents attended the dedication that honored 100 of DU s youngest supporters by engraving their names on a permanent monument overlooking the restored wetlands. Also in attendance were staff from DU Greenwings, volunteers, and staff at the October 4th Greenwing Legacy dedication at Place Trail Marsh. DU and St. Joseph County Parks Department, and members of the Indiana Grand Kankakee Marsh Restoration Project committee through which this project was completed. The Greenwings were treated to a tour of the wetlands where they learned about wetland management for waterfowl and other wildlife. This wetland complex is a perfect example of how DU and its conservation partners collaborate to provide a habitat legacy which will last for these Greenwings and future generations to enjoy. 8