Building Habitat and Outreach Efforts in the Urban Core
The northeast side of the Indianapolis metro looks a lot like other sprawling urban developments. Where there used to be farm fields, there are chain restaurants and hotels, suburban tri-levels and highways. In the middle of this, however, is over a thousand acres of undeveloped land overlooking the White River. Conner Prairie, a living history museum and natural space, hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. From summer camps, nature trails, float trips on the White River, to concerts overlooking the river valley, Conner Prairie is an important connection to nature for urban residents of the Indianapolis Metro.
Thanks to the work of the Indiana Conservation Delivery Team and the Central Indiana Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Chapter, Conner Prairie has agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU), for Indiana Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to help install conservation buffers along two miles of trail as well as volunteer for outreach and education opportunities.
"As a chapter we felt like it was a great opportunity," said Amanda Atkinson, Central Indiana Chapter President. "Not only for public outreach and education, but also to help restore and enhance habitat here in central Indiana."
Alongside the pollinator plantings and outreach opportunities, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's Indiana Conservation Delivery Team will be helping Conner Prairie incorporate precision ag techniques into the Food, Farm and Energy portion, which look at incorporating wildlife conservation into agricultural practices. The partnership will also assist in the conversion of areas adjacent to their agriculture fields into early successional grassland habitats.
"As our board began to look at doing our site masterplan, we knew we had all this property and the river," said Norman Burns President and Chief Executive Officer at Conner Prairie. "I'd like to think that we're almost a blank slate for organizations such as Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to partner with us to bring these habitats to a place where the birds and mammals will be coming back."
As urban centers expand, it becomes increasingly important for urban planning to incorporate intact wildlife corridors within city centers. Not only do these wildlife corridors protect water quality, wildlife populations and help prevent flood events, they offer a direct connection to nature for residents of population centers. For many, places like Conner Prairie are the gateway for a connection to habitat work, hunting and other outdoor recreation activities.
"It's (Conner Prairie) important from a habitat corridor standpoint of connecting our different habitats along the white river," says Alex White, Vice President of the Central Indiana Chapter. "It's also an important resource for outdoor recreation, water quality and air quality. Our work with Conner Prairie will not only provide access for experiencing the outdoors, but it will also improve this corridor for wildlife."
Learn more about Conner Prairie here and get connected with the Central Indiana Chapter by emailing pfcic642@gmail.com or contacting Amanda Atkinson 219-805-2380. The chapter is also active on social media on Instagram @pfqfcic and on Facebook at Pheasants Forever Quail Forever Central Indiana.