HOOSIER CONSERVATION NEWS

Bird conservation plan formed for Goose Pond FWA

A collaborative effort between the major stakeholders in the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, located south of Linton, has culminated in the publication of the Goose Pond Bird Conservation Plan. The Plan targets 11 species of birds for conservation management at Goose Pond based on the range of habitats that these species use, and the species guilds highlighted for management in the Goose Pond Statement of Primary Purpose developed by IDNR when the property was purchased. Read the article at the Greene County Daily World.

IWF NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Zionsville, Ind. (Jan. 18, 2011)—Barbara Simpson has been named the new Executive Director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, a statewide nonprofit organization and grassroots affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

She takes charge of the 72 year old conservation organization committed to conserving Indiana’s natural resources and creating a healthy and sustainable environment.

Simpson brings extensive experience to IWF. A co-founder of Casting for Recovery Indiana, Simpson has provided weekend retreats combining counseling, education, medical information, and fly-fishing for breast cancer survivors.

She also serves on IUPUI’s Center for Environmental Science’s advisory board as well as the board of directors for Friends of Goose Pond, which supports the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area by coordinating research and educational programs.

“Barb has a strong conservation ethic, demonstrated by her involvement in Goose Pond and the close network she has within the fly-fishing community of Indiana,” said Glenn Lange, IWF Board member.

Professionally, Simpson took on a variety of positions for Eli Lilly and Company, most recently the director of human resources.

“Her blend of high level business experience, scientific background, and nonprofit management experience made Barb an incredibly skilled and seasoned candidate to lead IWF,” said Lange.

Simpson takes over for John Goss, who was recently appointed to coordinate the regional effort to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes.

CONSERVATION DAY 2011 - February 1st

Indiana's 2011 State Legislative Session is just around the corner.  This year will be a budget-making session, and we need your help to focus our legislators’ attention on conservation! 

Conservation Day is an incredible opportunity to show our elected officials that Hoosiers care about protecting our precious natural resources and preserving our environment.  

Remember, the more people that attend Conservation Day, the bigger the impact.  Also, this year Governor Daniels will address attendees and talk about the importance of DNR’s new initiative focusing on the Wabash River. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CONSERVATION DAY
Tuesday February 1, 2011
8:30am-1:30pm
Conservation Day website

As always, IWF and the Indiana Conservation Alliance will push for:

• $1 million/year for land protection through the Indiana Heritage Trust
• $500,000/year for Clean Water Indiana

The Alliance has chosen 3 top priorities for this year:

• Passage of state Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force, which would complete a programmatic and funding needs assessment of Indiana’s natural resources. 
• Passage of state legislation to restrict the use of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers. 
• Passage of state legislation to authorize local governments to issue PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) bonds, which are an innovative mechanism for financing energy efficiency building renovations/renewable energy systems. 

Click here for more details about this year's priorities.

Conservation Reserve Program General Sign-up Results--9/15/2010

The USDA will accept 4.3 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program after the latest general sign-up garnered over 50,000 offerings on over 4.8 million acres nationwide.  The new acres bring the total enrollment of CRP to 31.2 million acres.   This is about 800,000 acres shy of the 32 million acre cap established for the program, leaving room for future enrollments through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, other CRP initiatives, or another general sign-up before the next Farm Bill establishes a new cap. Read more at AgWeb.com

Director Leaves IWF, Takes on Asian Carp--9/8/2010

After four years as Executive Director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, John Goss has taken a position with the Great Lakes Commission to address the Asian carp invasion of the Great Lakes. Read the press release here.

Dreaded Asian carp headed toward Indy--8/19/2010

If you enjoy riding boats on the White River, you had better get in as much of it as you can, while you can. The Asian carp, perhaps the worst invasive species to ever hit Indiana and the bane of boaters, anglers and ecologists alike, is on its way up the White River. Read more at IBJ.com.

Chinese Environmental Group Visits Indiana--8/17/2010

Members of the China Environment Forum will be in northwest Indiana today. They will discuss initiatives to help improve the region's environment and address severe water pollution in China's Lake Tai. IWF and other regional partners led the group on a tour of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Read more at Inside Indiana Business, the NW Indiana Times (pics), or the Chesterton Tribune.

Enviros seek $2.7 billion for wastewater infrastructure--8/10/2010

IWF hosted a press conference with leaders from around northwest Indiana to discuss the need for increased funding for wastewater infrastructure improvements. Get the story here.

AmeriPlex lauded for being wildlife friendly--8/5/2010

AmeriPlex at the Port in Portage, IN earned IWF's Wildlife Friendly Certification. It was the second corporate complex to achieve certification. Read more here.

Portrait of life: Goose Pond biodiversity survey paints a picture of wildlife that call southern Indiana wetlands home--7/25/2010

A recent, impressive species count from Goose Pond. IWF is proud to have advocated for this remarkable natural area. Read more here.