Grant Recipient:  The Nature Conservancy

 

Grant Award:  $382,211

 

Lake Basin:  Erie

 

Project Location:  Along Fish Creek in Steuben County, IN

 

Project Desciption:  The Nature Conservancy will restore approximately 80 acres of wetlands and reforest approximately 500 acres of adjacent uplands along Fish Creek in the Upper Saint Joseph watershed.  The restoration will connect more than 1,500 acres restored by The Nature Conservancy, representing one of the largest remaining forest blocks in northeastern Indiana. This work will result in reduced sediment and nutrients reaching Great Lakes waters, as well as restored groundwater recharge and improved habitat for migratory birds, the endangered copperbelly watersnake, and several species of freshwater mussels including the only known population of the endangered white cat's paw pearly mussel.