Conservation Matters Sue Vernier, Conservation Chair

First, some bad news. For the third year in a row, Patoka River NWR has failed to receive any LWCF funding for land
 acquisition!  

Please contact your Congressman Brad Ellsworth (866-567-0227), 

and Senators Evan Bayh (202-224-5623) and Richard Lugar (202-224-4814) and express your disappointment that 
once again Indiana gets the shaft. 

Millions of dollars are approved every year for refuges in other states, but not one dollar is coming to Indiana. 

The citizens of Indiana are the real losers when opportunities to maintain open space for outdoor recreation are not 
acted upon and the available funds are simply being spent elsewhere.

Indiana ranks 46th in the nation in the amount of state and federal recreation land.


Second, some good news. Evansville Audubon expects to be one of 20-plus contributing partners applying for a 
North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) project grant to acquire and restore significant bottomland 
wetlands and wetland associated uplands. 

 
The proposed targets for landacquisition are a 12,000-acre tract, which includes Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area
 currently under lease to IDNR, and lands within the purchase boundary of Patoka River NWR--an Important Bird Area 
and the designated recipient of Evansville Audubon's partner match if the grant is awarded. Previously, Evansville 
Audubon contributed to a successful NAWCA grant for the purchase of Goose Pond and targeted acreage at 
Patoka River NWR. 

Third, a Conservation Day update. Richard and Sue Vernier represented Evansville Audubon at the Indiana 
Conservation Alliance-sponsored "Conservation Day 2008" at the Indiana Statehouse. Issues of concern include 

supporting passage of the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact to prevent diversions of water from the Great 
Lakes and finding a new dedicated funding source for the Department of Forestry (DOF). 

Current property tax relief proposals will eliminate DOF funding from property taxes, an assessed tax levy equivalent to

 $0.75 per Hoosier per year, which will result in an estimated loss of $5 million for DOF, or 47% of their budget. The DOF 
needs a long-term, committed funding source separate from the biennial budget process; otherwise, wildlife habitat, 
clean air and water, recreation, state tree nurseries, and local economies dependent on 
forest products will be impacted. 

Call the Indiana House (800-382-9842), and Indiana Senate (800-382-9467), 

and talk with your representative and senator about these important issues!