Habitat improvements will add critical acres for quail in southern Indiana
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce the latest addition to permanently protected upland habitat in Indiana. The Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Management Area gained 129 acres, filling a vital habitat and public access gap between lands owned by the refuge and the Sycamore Land Trust.
“With less than five percent of lands in Indiana being publicly owned, the refuge has the opportunity to provide unique experiences for those in The Hoosier State,” said Heath Hamilton, the wildlife refuge specialist for the Patoka River NWR. “We’re very excited about this acquisition and the opportunity to work with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to conserve upland prairie habitat.”
To date, the refuge has acquired 11,000 acres within the 22,500 acre Congressionally approved acquisition boundary. The refuge provides diverse cover types that are a haven for migratory birds and numerous threatened and endangered species. It also protects one of the most significant bottomland hardwood forests remaining in the Midwest, alongside prairie and wetland habitats. Refuge staff are focused on restoring early successional habitat for grassland birds, critical forage for pollinating species, and structural components needed to grow bobwhite quail populations.
Outdoor recreation is also incredibly popular for the 60,000 visitors traveling to the refuge every year looking to hunt, fish, hike and watch wildlife. As the addition is finalized, the new boundary will lead directly to a local county road, improving public access for both consumptive and non-consumptive users. Plans to expand hunting opportunities beyond deer and turkey are also underway, and could include the chance to chase small game in the future.
“Working with our partners and communities to protect habitat where it builds upon existing conservation investments is one of our core strategies,” said John Kinney, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Indiana state coordinator. “The Patoka River NWR addition is a great example of the work we strive to do – restoring quality upland habitat that the public can access.”
This project would not be possible without the action and support of staff from the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the generous donations of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters, partners and members who contribute to the organization’s Build a Wildlife Area® program. This program is expanding and has identified 57 projects encompassing 36,046 acres in 15 states that are in active development for strategic acquisition.
For questions about this project or about Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Indiana, contact John Kinney at JKinney@PheasantsForever.org or (812) 545-7124.