Category: Newsletter

Land Deal Clears Major Hurdle for Brandon Road

Contact: Anna Marie Zorn, ZornA@nwf.org,  734-887-7136 or Dan Boritt, Boritt@indianawildlife.org, 317-759-0661

May 23, 2025

CHICAGO — With Illinois securing this land parcel, the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project can move forward, marking a major milestone in protecting the Great Lakes, its wildlife, and people from the destructive effects of invasive carp.

“This linchpin moment solidifies what we’ve been working toward for over a decade,” said Marc Smith, Great Lakes policy director for the National Wildlife Federation. “With this property secured, construction can now advance towards building a gauntlet of technologies at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam that will help prevent invasive carp from causing undue harm to our fisheries, economy, and quality of life here in the Great Lakes. Thank you, Illinois Governor Pritzker, Michigan Governor Whitmer, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for advancing this critical project.”

“We are thrilled that this monumental project has cleared this hurdle,” said Dan Boritt, Executive Director for the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF). “Thanks to the leadership of our neighbors to the North and West, our Great Lakes will be protected for generations to come. Today is the culmination of decades of work by NWF, IWF, and all of our partners to protect one of America’s greatest treasures. We hope this will be a model for future state/Federal partnerships to protect our natural heritage.”

“The Great Lakes fishery represents a $2.3 billion dollar economic driver for Michigan, creating tens of thousands of jobs. The completion of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam is vital in protecting the fishery, a substantial economic driver for the state, and the health of the Great Lakes as a whole.” said Amy Trotter, Chief Executive Officer for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “Michigan has done its part, the federal government is all-in, and now Illinois is finally committing and ensuring this vital project can move forward for the betterment of the Great Lakes.”

“The Great Lakes ecosystem deserves our attention and investment as it faces evolving threats presented by invasive species. The impact of invasive carp, like the silver carp that leaps from the water when agitated, would be realized by all those who spend time near shorelines and on the water of the Great Lakes system if allowed to enter and establish breeding populations.” said Brad Gausman, Executive Director for the Minnesota Conservation Federation. “Thank you to those involved in helping to secure the health of these freshwater treasures through working to stop the introduction of invasive carp.”

“The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation strongly supports the continued state and federal commitments to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project. Committing to and completing this project is essential to protect the Great Lakes from the devastating impact of invasive carp,” said Cody Kamrowski, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. “These species pose an existential threat to the ecological balance, fisheries, and multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy of the Great Lakes region. We commend the efforts of our state and federal partners in advancing this vital project and urge the swift implementation of robust barriers at Brandon Road to safeguard the health and future of our Great Lakes.”

“Finalizing this project will help protect Lake Erie and Ohio’s walleye capital of the world.” said Matt Misicka, Executive Director for the Ohio Conservation Federation. “Keeping invasive carp out of our Great Lakes, rivers and streams is a major priority for Ohio’s 1.7 million anglers. We applaud the efforts by our federal and state partners to work together to get this project done.”

Invasive carp, which have already devastated waterways in the Mississippi River basin, pose an existential threat to the habitat and economic health of the Great Lakes, specifically the region’s $5.1 billion commercial and sport fishing industry. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has identified building additional structural measures at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, near Joliet, Ill., as the most feasible way to prevent the upstream migration of invasive carp. The states of Illinois and Michigan, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have provided assurances that the property secured today will be mitigated to help minimize any undue harm to the waterways adjacent to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam.

Hoosier Conservation Newletter | Spring 2025

Hoosier Conservation Newsletter – Spring 2025

Native Plant Sale

We have a new and exciting plant sale opportunity for Hoosiers! We have partnered with National Wildlife Federation and Garden For Wildlife® for a year now, offering a vast selection of high quality native plants in customizable kits. Whether you’re starting a brand new garden or supplementing an existing garden with a few of those hard-to-find species, we’ve got you covered. Check out the selection at the link below!

Buy Native Plants

Indy Urban Acres Plant Sale

We tabled at the Indy Urban Acres annual plant sale for the last couple weeks to discuss the importance of going native with visitors. The plant sale still has another week left so get out there and buy your natives while supporting a wonderful Indy organization.

INDY URBAN ACRES PLANT SALE

Even More Native Plants!

We will be partnering with the Greenwood Nature Center and Native Plants Unlimited to give you not only MORE native plants to buy, but a fun and educational presentation on why natives are so important to conservation.

SEE IWF EVENTS

Conservation Top Shot!

SAVE THE DATE ALERT! On August 21, one of our most exciting and popular events is back for our 4th Annual Conservation Top Shot. Sign up as an individual or sign up your workplace, friend group, or club for a friendly sporting clay competition.

This event will be open for registration on our website soon so stay tuned!

Letter from the ED

Now, more than ever, is the time to take a deep breath and renew our focus. IWF will be there every step of the way to keep you informed and fight for legislation that puts our natural spaces first. Executive Director Dan Boritt weighs in on the current state of affairs:

With so much going on in the world today it is easy to feel overwhelmed and in many cases it may be easier to check out rather than stay engaged. While this may be the easier route, I encourage each of you to continue standing up for wildlife and support organizations like the Indiana Wildlife Federation to advocate for common sense conservation. The list of threats is great, but with supporters like you I’m confident we can continue to garner wins for wildlife!

The Indiana legislature recently wrapped its 2025 session. While not all legislation was good, and the fiscal outlook is less than we’d hoped, we were able to record some major accomplishments. IWF, along with aligned conservation groups, was able to defeat chronic disease legislation which would have compromised our state’s herd of white-tailed deer. We helped champion legislation that will develop a framework for utilizing controlled burns on private property, a vital step to continue to manage our natural landscapes. Stronger rules around inspections of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations were signed into law. In May over 4000 acres of land was permanently protected by Indiana as Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area. All of these are small yet meaningful steps in helping to make Indiana better for wildlife, and I’m confident we will continue to have opportunities like this in the future.

On the federal front there seem to be a never ending list of potential threats. The Endangered Species Act, a hallmark of conservation law, is at risk of being greatly diminished. There is a movement to begin selling off public lands to raise revenue. Increased mining and timbering is likely on those remaining public lands, all putting our ability to utilize public lands as we like into jeopardy.

Yet amid this landscape of threats, we continue to produce wins. IWF, with the help of Senator Banks and Congressmen Mrvan, Yakym and Stutzman, were able to get a dozen federal employees reinstated after DOGE had terminated them. Thanks to the quick work by our Indiana delegation the critical work of applying lampricide in the Great Lakes is continuing uninterrupted. Just last week President Trump agreed to identify federal funds to move the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project forward. This project is vital to keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes, and after much concern that this decades long project would fall apart it appears to be back on track. Congresswoman Houchin continues to lead the Ohio River Congressional Caucus as it seeks to identify federal funding for restoration of the Ohio River Basin. Yes, many threats continue to threaten the wildlife and wild spaces we all love, but with your support we can continue to push forward.

With spring in full swing there is no better time to get outside and enjoy wildlife. Go listen to the song of a Swainson’s thrush as they migrate through Indiana. Enjoy the magic of ruby-throated hummingbirds as they dance among wildflowers. Go to our native plant sale, Garden for Wildlife, and turn your home into a Certified Wildlife Friendly Habitat. Get out on a river, either to paddle or take advantage of our world class smallmouth bass fishery. All of these actions can both recharge you and help wildlife to thrive in Indiana.

With love of wildlife –

– Dan Boritt, IWF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Please Consider Donating

Everything IWF does is made possible by the generous donations of people like you. Our mission is to preserve the natural spaces, thriving ecosystems, and recreational opportunities you love. We believe it is central to our value as Americans to be good stewards of our land and everything living on it. Become a member or donate to our cause and let’s stand together for the future of our amazing outdoors.

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Don’t Sell Our American Heritage: Why Federal Lands Matter to Indiana

ublic Lands are one of America’s greatest ideas. Access to our nation’s great landscapes and wildlife is uniquely American, copied by countries the world over. Shared ownership and pride in the greatest of our lands has created generations of conservationists and allowed those without vast wealth to experience our nation’s greatness. Despite overwhelming support for America’s vast network of public lands, this ideal is under threat. Large sales of public lands are currently being considered by our elected officials. Now is the time to reach out and make sure your members of Congress know that you value access to public lands for recreation and conservation.

 

Our Executive Director, Dan Boritt, recently published an op-ed in the Indianapolis Business Journal explaining the importance of these lands to Hoosiers and all Americans. Check it out https://bit.ly/4j23CND to learn more. Public lands throughout Indiana and our nation are drivers of our economy, reservoirs of environmental diversity, and vital to what it means to be American.

 

If you are unable to access the op-ed via the IBJ it is also reprinted below.

 

Don’t Sell Our American Heritage: Why Federal Lands Matter to Indiana

As budget talks heat up in Washington DC, Congress is considering selling off our nation’s heritage. When we think of America’s great public lands, Indiana does not immediately jump to mind, yet over 500,000 acres of Indiana’s land is jointly owned by the American people.  The idea of divesting our shared American heritage is a dangerous precedent that carries significant negative implications for Indiana and its citizens while betraying one of America’s greatest ideas, public lands for all.

Within Indiana’s borders our federal lands provide Hoosiers with an opportunity to experience real Indiana and be reminded of our nation’s heritage. Indiana Dunes National Park, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Muscatatuck and Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuges, Hoosier National Forest are all part of the fabric of our nation. This is truly what makes America Great. Selling off these iconic lands would lead to restricted access, prioritizing private profit over public use.

Indiana Dunes National Park photo from Pixabay

Just last week Indiana celebrated the opening of Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area. Over 4000 acres of land, permanently protected by our state for Hoosiers to enjoy in perpetuity. We are a state starving for public lands where Hoosiers can hike hunt and fish. Milestones like the opening of Busseron Creek are rightfully celebrated. We must make clear that Indiana needs more, not less public land.

Photo of ribbon cutting at Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area (photo by Dan Boritt)

Federal lands play a crucial role in conservation and biodiversity. They provide habitats for countless species. The fragmentation and potential development of these lands could have unforeseen consequences for our nation’s delicate ecosystems, impacting Indiana wildlife, our drinking water and Hoosier’s opportunity to hunt, fish, hike and experience our natural heritage.

Image by Eszter Miller from Pixabay

Beyond the economic and environmental arguments, there’s a fundamental principle at stake: these lands belong to all Americans. They are a legacy passed down through generations, offering opportunities for recreation, education, and spiritual connection with the natural world. Selling them off diminishes this shared inheritance and frankly devalues the American ideal.

Some proponents argue that selling federal lands could alleviate government debt or even solve the housing affordability crisis. However, this short-sighted approach overlooks the long-term value these lands provide. Once sold, they are gone, and the potential for future public benefit is lost forever. We must not sacrifice our national treasures for a tenuous temporary financial fix.

As Hoosiers, we must demand that our elected officials stand firm against any proposal to sell off federal lands. Let us protect America’s greatest idea, today and for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Dan Boritt

Executive Director, Indiana Wildlife Federation

 

  Public_Lands_opEd

 

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ERIN HOUCHIN, 9th DISTRICT OF INDIANA INSTALLED AS CO-CHAIR OF OHIO RIVER BASIN CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ERIN HOUCHIN, 9th DISTRICT OF INDIANA INSTALLED AS CO-CHAIR OF OHIO RIVER BASIN CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS

Indianapolis, Indiana, May 16, 2024 – “I am honored to serve as co-chair of the Ohio River Caucus, representing the vital interests of Southern Indiana. The Ohio River is not only a lifeline for commerce and industry but a symbol of our region’s rich history and potential for growth. As co-chair, I am committed to advocating for policies that promote economic prosperity and conservation along the Ohio River and beyond,” said Rep. Houchin.

Congresswoman Erin Houchin, 9th District of Indiana was recently installed as co-chair of the Ohio River Basin Congressional Caucus.

The Ohio River drains more than 80% of Indiana’s waterways and is home to about 30 million people – more than 8 percent of the United States’ population. Yet, the region doesn’t receive the attention given other regions such as the Mississippi River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. With 55 Congressional districts in 14 states covering the basin.

The caucus was founded on October 21, 2009, by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito and Rep. Steve Driehaus to unite all members of Congress whose districts reside within the Ohio River Basin to work together to resolve issues faced by their constituents.

The caucus was formed in conjunction with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, which is an organization that was formed by multiple state governments to manage and maintain the environmental quality of the Ohio River Valley.

The caucus is tasked with raising awareness of the Ohio River Valley and highlighting the river’s impact on the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and agriculture. Major goals of the caucus will include securing funding for environmental restoration and cleanup, educational outreach, as well as discussing how pending legislation will affect the Ohio River Basin.

The Indiana Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation plan to continue to raise awareness around the plight of the Ohio River Basin and advocate for Federal funding support to restore and protect the waters that affect the 14 impacted states.

 

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Hoosier Conservation Newsletter | August 2023

Read the August 2023 edition of the IWF Hoosier Conservation Newsletter. The Monarch Tagging Season is almost here! Dan has important legislative updates in his Letter from the ED. We have speakers for our upcoming Annual Conference and we’re very excited about what they have to share.

Goble shows multiple caterpillars on a leaf in one of her cages designed to keep them safe July 18, 2021. The caterpillars eat anywhere from fourteen to twenty before curving into a J and forming their cocoon.

Monarchs have a friend in Indiana

Monarchs have a friend in Indiana

Story and photos by Abbie Gressley, Indiana Wildlife Federation 2021 Summer Habitat Intern

When Amanda Goble first started raising monarch butterflies three years ago, she only knew there weren’t many in her area. Little did she know the process she loves so much would soon be making a larger impact on the monarch population.

“I realize it is a small part to help, but any small thing could make a big impact eventually,” says the 46-year-old from Marion, Indiana.

The eastern migratory population of monarch butterflies decreased by 84% between the winters of 1996–1997 and 2014–2015, and the much smaller western monarch population has declined 74% since the late 1990s, according to the Indiana Monarch Conservation Plan (IMCP).

The IMCP was influenced by those interested in monarch butterfly conservation and habitat restoration in an attempt to reverse the population decline of North American monarchs.

Goble says they had almost lost monarchs in the area due to chemical spraying for bugs on crops and people using them at their own homes without the pollinators. So, she planted milkweed seeds for the monarchs to lay eggs on and had her husband build screened in cages to protect the caterpillars and cocoons from other bugs.

“I have an abundance of praying mantis in my yard, and they will eat them, so this gives them a safe place to stay in hopes that they will make it to butterflies,” she says.

Goble starts her process in the spring to make sure the milkweed is growing and plant more if needed. In July, the monarchs start showing up for nectar and begin laying eggs on the plants. She then watches for caterpillars and takes them to the cages to finish growing. It takes about fourteen to twenty days for them to eat before creating a J with their bodies and forming a cocoon. The cocoon will hatch within seven to nine days.

“Finding the caterpillars and letting the butterflies go is about all the hands-on work you need to do, the rest they do on their own,” Goble says. “I try not to interfere with their process too much.”

Goble says she loves the whole process and only wishes to help them grow to adulthood.

“I think it’s fascinating how an egg the size of a pinhead can grow to a caterpillar then change into a butterfly out of a small cocoon,” she says. “Watching them fly away is my favorite part; I say goodbye to each one and wish them well on their journey.”

According to the IMCP, Indiana, along with other Midwestern states, comprises a particularly important portion of the range of the eastern population of monarch butterflies, supplying much of the breeding and migrating habitat that produces the migratory generation of the eastern monarch population.

Goble is one of many in Indiana playing a small role for a much bigger cause for these butterflies.

“I just let the butterflies fly away in hopes that they will live to make new caterpillars and butterflies,” she says. “I hope to continue to give the butterflies a chance to survive and keep coming back to our area.”