The two-plus acres of land at the IWF headquarters in Zionsville has been dedicated to creating a model wildlife habitat in honor of past IWF president and champion of IWF causes, Paula Yeager.

The IWF office habitat demonstration area, which is made possible by funds from the IWF Paula Yeager Memorial Fund and donations from volunteers and local businesses, will be named “Paula’s Habitat” in her honor. 

“We all feel that Paula would be thrilled to know that her memory will be preserved in a living way through this area,” said Debbie Twardy, IWF’s office manager.

IWF Habitat Stewards™ put their expertise to work on several habitat demonstration areas around the 106th street office this past summer. Volunteers gathered for two days in May to prepare the soil and plant seed and plugs, and nurtured the areas over the summer.

The areas will be used to show how backyard habitats can benefit wildlife while blending easily into the home landscape. IWF plans to partner with the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society and local scout groups, using these areas to teach the benefits of native plants.

A big “thank you” goes to the Habitat Stewards™ who volunteer time and materials. Special thanks go to Seasons Gardens for giving us a load of seedlings, the DNR for several small Burr Oaks, plus Tiffany’s and the city of Zionsville for donating mulch.

Plans are set for further expansion. A water garden, pond and larger prairie are on tap for the coming winter and spring. Karen Arwood, an IWF member and owner of Progressive Lawnscaping in Indianapolis began the preparation for work to be completed in the spring with volunteers.  Get involved in the project or make a donation to the Paula Yeager Memorial Fund. Call the IWF office at 1-800-347-3445 to charge by phone, or pay online using PayPal by clicking one of the buttons on the rightside of this page.

Help build and maintain Paula's Habitat! Charge your online contribution now, or over the phone by calling us at 1-800-347-3445
$25.00 $50.00 $100.00 $500.00

On November 9, 2005 Paula R. Yeager lost her battle with  Breast Cancer. For six years, Paula served as the Executive Director of Indiana Wildlife Federation.  She was passionate about the fight against Canned Hunting and worked tirelessly learning everything she could about the issue.  She loved the backyard habitat program and incorporated it into her own backyard and the 5x6 area in front of the small office she occupied.  She dreamed of having an area like the one that houses the current IWF office staff.  We miss her and offer this area as a token to her dedication and love for Indiana's Wildlife and Wild Places. On November 15, 2005 Senator Evan Bayh honored her before the US Congress with a Congressional Statement. Click the link below to read the statement. Congressional Record