In SW Indiana, where four rivers join- a group of conservation partners have joined together to purchase and develop waterfowl habitat. The focus area includes the watersheds of the Ohio, Wabash, White and Patoka Rivers.

International Agreement

The Four Rivers project is part of the North American Waterfowl Managment Plan (NAWMP), an international wildlife management agreement among the United States, Canada and Mexico. It's one of the most ambitious continental wildlife conservation programs ever attempted. The Plan provides:

• A strong biological foundation to restore waterfowl populations
• A landscape approach to conservation by acquiring and developing suitable habitat
• A public-private partnership that encompasses other migratory bird interests and initiatives.

The NAWMP strives to maintain the current diversity of duck species throughout North America and provide a breeding population of 62 million ducks during years of average environmental conditions. Reaching this goal will support a fall flight of 100 million ducks. The Plan also establishes goals for 30 populations of six species of geese.

Habitat is the Key

Proper habitat is important to migrating waterfowl, neotropical, wading and shore birds, as well as other wildlife.Acquiring, restoring, enhancing and protecting significant tracts of bottomland hardwoods in SW Indiana provides a critical stepping stone along North America's migration routes.

A Partnership

Thirteen major partners make up the SWIFRP Committee, including citizens, corporations, conservation organizations and federal and state natural resource agencies.

Funding

Funding comes from an $800,000 North American Waterfowl Conservation Act agreement with the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources Fish & Wildlife Division and the US Dept. of Interior Fish & Wildlife Service. The balance of funding comes from our partners. Most of the land is managed by the Patoka National Fish & Wildlife Refuge and the Hovey Lake Fish & Wildlife Area.

The Project Proposal

• acquire 1,115 acres of wetlands and associated uplands
• restore 1,132 acres of wetlands
• enhance 644 acres of wetlands
• create 120 acres of wetlands

What was Accomplished

• 1,165 acres involving 16 tracts of land were acquired
• 1,139 acres were restored to bottomland hardwood
• warm season and cool season grasses were planted to benefit waterfowl nesting
• creation of seasonally-flooded areas
• 655 acres were enhanced by planting bottomland hardwoods, placement of wood duck nest boxes, and acorn plantings
• 130 acres of wetlands were created by constructing levees and other water control structures

Text by Ed Theroff