Grasslands for Gamebirds & Songbirds
The Grasslands for Gamebirds & Songbirds Program provides technical and financial assistance to improve or develop grassland and pollinator-friendly habitat in selected regions of Indiana.
Grasslands are declining across the U.S. and Indiana. The Indiana State Wildlife Action Plan identifies loss of grasslands as the single greatest threat to wildlife species in Indiana. Many pollinators (bees, butterflies, etc.) are exhibiting population declines as well, and face many threats, including loss of habitat and food resources. Estimates suggest that 1 in 3 bites of food consumed worldwide are a direct result of pollination services. Healthy grasslands rich in native wildflowers and grasses can provide mutually beneficial habitat for pollinators, songbirds, gamebirds and many other wildlife species.
If you are interested in restoring important grassland or pollinator habitat and live within one of their focal regions (DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, and Steuben counties), they can help.
If you would like additional information, please contact the SWCD office.
Wood-Land-Lakes (WLL) Resource Conservation and Development, Inc
WLL is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was established in 1994 to address natural resource needs in DeKalb, Elkhart, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley Counties in northeast Indiana. They are a group of volunteers committed to working together for responsible stewardship of our natural resources and establishing conservation easements for farms, farmlands, woodlands, forestlands, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and open spaces.
WLL works with owners of operating farms to create conservation easements which will preserve their farmland, while allowing the landowner to maintain a profitable farming operation in an ever-changing agricultural industry. Their Land Trust Committee is a well-rounded, diverse group of volunteers including farmers who understand today’s unique farming needs. The Land Trust currently holds easements on 10,500 acres of farmland in 9 counties in Indiana.
Holding conservation easements for family farms is both an important and long-term responsibility. The Land Trust works with families to ensure continued agricultural use of the land while preserving it for future generations of farmers.
Please contact Wood-Land-Lakes if you are interested.
Wood-Land-Lakes RC&D
59566 County Road 31
Middlebury, IN 46540
Phone: (574) 612-5063
E-mail: woodlandlakes.landtrust@gmail.com
Website: https://wood-land-lakes.org/
The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund
The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund is dedicated to establishing high quality pollinator habitat to ensure pollinator populations thrive. If you would like to learn more or are ready to apply, please visit BeeAndButterflyFund.org.
Steuben County Soil & Water District Cost-Share Program
If you have a project and would like to learn more about the Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District cost-share program, contact us to discuss your project or ideas. Please call (260) 665-3211ext. 3 or email us at steubenswcd@gmail.com