New Nature Preserves Approved
Pisgah Marsh is one of the newly-named nature preserves. (photo courtesy Department of Natural Resources)
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Natural Resources Commission has approved three new nature preserves in Indiana. The locations, which cover properties in Kosciusko, Whitley, Harrison and Crawford counties, bring the total number of state-designated sites protected by the Nature Preserves Act to 277.
The NRC approved nature preserve status for Pisgah Marsh, a 118-acre property in Kosciusko and Whitley counties. The site is owned and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife and provides habitat to several state-endangered species, including the Blanding’s turtle and the spotted turtle, among others.
Greenbrier Knob in Harrison County received nature preserve status. The DNR says the site protects mesic upland forest that borders the Blue River and includes state- and federally-endangered plant species, such as Short’s goldenrod. It also has state-endangered animal species, including the clubshell and snuffbox, which are types of mollusks located in the Blue River.
Finally, the NRC approved County Line Glades as a nature preserve. The site protects limestone glades and the adjoining dry upland forest. The DNR says the nature preserve includes the state-threatened pink thoroughwort plant and the state-endangered Indiana bat.
Both Greenbriar Knob and County Line Glades are composed of two separate tracts in the Harrison-Crawford State Park. They are owned and administrated by the DNR Division of Forestry.