SULLIVAN CO.– Outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists are celebrating the grand opening of the Busseron Creek Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA), a sprawling, nearly 4,000-acre expanse of permanently protected land in Sullivan County. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officially announced the opening, marking the start of its conservation project since acquiring the initial acreage for Goose Pond FWA in 2005.
The newly established Busseron Creek FWA encompasses a diverse array of natural habitats, including forests, woodlands, marshes, swamps, lakes, and grasslands, offering a significant boost to conservation efforts in southern Indiana.
“Today’s a day for the record books,” said Suzanne Jaworowski, Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources. “With the addition of nearly 4,000 acres of permanently protected Indiana landscape, Hoosiers and wildlife alike gain an expansive natural place ready for exploration. I’m thankful for the many partners who came together to achieve this record achievement in conservation.”
This landmark achievement was made possible through a collaborative effort involving numerous organizations, including the Conservation Law Center, leader of the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape; The Conservation Fund; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America Program; The Nature Conservancy (TNC); and the U.S. Navy, the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division, and Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane.
The DNR invested $10.8 million in the property acquisition, with crucial funding support derived from hunters, trappers, and recreational shooters through the Wildlife Restoration Program. The U.S. Navy contributed an additional $910,000 to support a conservation easement on a portion of the land via the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program, and a $600,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America program further bolstered the acquisition.
Michael Spalding, coordinator of the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “The Conservation Law Center is excited to lead an incredible project like this through the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape partnership, which brings together private, state, and federal funding to unite around a common vision of strengthening national security, enhancing conservation, and supporting thriving rural landscapes.”
The Busseron Creek FWA is poised to become a vital habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including turkey, deer, waterfowl, rabbit, quail, and numerous migratory songbird species. The DNR has already established hunting units, parking areas, and access trails, with plans for continued infrastructure development to enhance visitor accessibility. The area is expected to be a prime location for wildlife viewing, hunting, trapping, fishing, and foraging. It is anticipated to be open for hunters during the upcoming spring turkey season.
The newly protected land has a history of conservation, having been leased by the DNR for over 30 years and operated as the Minnehaha FWA. When the lease was not renewed in 2016, the area was closed to the public, highlighting the importance of this permanent acquisition.
In 2022, the potential for securing the entire property arose when a small parcel was listed for sale. The Conservation Fund and the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape stepped in to negotiate with American Land Holdings of Indiana, a subsidiary of Peabody Energy, to purchase the full 3,950 acres, ensuring the land’s ecological integrity. The Conservation Fund’s proactive purchase provided critical time for the DNR to secure the necessary public and private funding.
Emy Brawley, vice president at The Conservation Fund, lauded the collaborative effort, saying, “The Conservation Fund was able to act quickly to purchase this at-risk land, valued at over $12 million, allowing critical time to secure public and private funding for permanent protection. The Busseron Creek Fish & Wildlife Area means so much to so many people, and The Conservation Fund is honored to have played a leading role alongside such great partners to ensure this land benefits communities and the environment forever.”
Larry Clemens, state director for TNC in Indiana, added, “The Nature Conservancy is proud to have helped set the wheels in motion for this project, and we’re honored to be here today with this fantastic group of partners. As with TNC projects throughout the state, this investment in outdoor recreation and conservation will leave a permanent legacy for the natural heritage of Indiana.”
Ryan Pettigrew, senior manager at Walmart U.S. Real Estate and Acres for America, also expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Walmart’s Acres for America program is excited to be part of the innovative collaboration that made the Busseron Creek project possible. Acres for America aims to protect vital natural habitat and provide access to outdoor recreation, and this project will do just that in southern Indiana for generations to come.”
The Busseron Creek FWA is strategically located near the Lake Glendora Test Facility, operated by NSWC, Crane Division. Recognizing the importance of an undeveloped land buffer for the military facility, the U.S. Navy provided significant support and funding for a conservation easement on the watershed and surrounding lands, ensuring compatible land use and safeguarding natural resources.
CDR Luis “Homie” Martinez, installation commanding officer of NSA Crane, emphasized the mutual benefits of the project, stating, “The tremendous collaboration between the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program and Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape have allowed critical mission support and warfighter readiness to continue at Lake Glendora Test Facility while strengthening community partnerships. While we celebrate the opening of the Busseron Creek Fish & Wildlife area to enable military encroachment protections, none of this would have been possible without NSA Crane’s Community Planning Liaison Officer, Mark Dobbs, and countless others, who worked tirelessly to make this a reality.”
Visitors can find more information and access a video of the property on the Indiana DNR website at IN.gov. Additional details about the Busseron Creek FWA and its history are available at the provided link. Project details can also be viewed at conservationlawcenter.org.
