Motus Tower Project Reaches Key Construction Milestone

Ouabache Land Conservancy advanced its Motus Wildlife Tracking Tower project earlier this week with a hands-on workshop held in Bedford, Indiana, marking a critical construction milestone for the initiative.

The workshop focused on preparing wiring for the Motus antennas and control box, an essential technical step prior to installation. Working collaboratively under Rick Nicholson’s expertise and direction, participants spent several hours crimping and assembling a large volume of wire needed for the tower’s operation. The session served as both a productive build time and a valuable learning experience for those involved.

The day benefited from the participation of Allen Pursell, Director of Forest Programs for the Sam Shine Foundation and Allisyn Gillet, Ornithologist at Indiana Department of Natural Resources, whose presence added depth and technical insight as the project moved closer to completion.

Special thanks go to Rick, who coordinated the workshop, sourced the necessary components, and generously hosted the build day at his location. Rick and his wife have a Motus tower at their home and also operate Raptors Rise, a bird rehabilitation center.  By providing equipment, materials, and a warm indoor workspace, Rick helped streamline a complex phase of the Motus build and made the process far more efficient than it would have been otherwise.

This collaborative effort represents another important step toward bringing the Motus Tower online, expanding regional research capacity, and supporting the study of bird migration and wildlife movement throughout the Wabash River corridor.

What Lives Beneath Our Feet: A Winter Walk Reveals the Quiet Power of a Salamander

On a cold November morning, with the first snow of the season dusting the woods, a group of Ouabache Land Conservancy members moved slowly along a creek-bottom forest in Putnam County. Shoes stepped softly over soon-to-be-frozen leaves. Breath hung in the air. Then, with a gentle motion, one log was rolled aside, and an entire hidden world appeared.

Curled beneath the damp wood was a red-backed salamander, glossy and still, a living reminder that conservation is not just about scenic views or miles of trail. Sometimes, it is about what survives quietly under a single fallen log.

A Scientist’s Eye on the Forest Floor

The salamander sighting was no accident. It was revealed by decades of experience provided by Dr. Diana Hews a retired biologist and emeritus professor from Indiana State University, whose career has been devoted to understanding how animals behave, survive, and interact with their environments. Originally trained in animal behavior and physiology, her research has spanned frogs, lizards, and salamanders, with a particular focus on hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and stress hormones, and how they shape behavior, immunity, and survival.

That training translates directly to moments like this one. Creek-bottom forests, rich with leaf litter and moisture, are prime habitat for salamanders. Large, decaying logs act like natural sponges, holding water even through dry summers. When she spots one, she knows how to lift it carefully, roll it in one direction, observe, and then return it to preserve the fragile microhabitat beneath.  “It’s important not to disturb the soil or leaf litter too much. That moisture-retaining structure is everything for salamanders,” Dr. Hews explained.

Meet the Red-Backed Salamander

The species revealed that day was the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), the most common salamander in the eastern United States. Brick-brown rather than bright red, it is small, secretive, and astonishingly abundant. Collectively, red-backed salamanders represent one of the largest vertebrate biomasses in eastern forests.

Credit: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Despite their abundance, they are easy to overlook. In cold weather, they move slowly, sometimes resembling shiny worms if only a tail is visible. Look closely, though, and their importance becomes clear. Red-backed salamanders are lungless. They breathe entirely through their skin, which must remain moist. This makes them exquisitely sensitive to changes in soil conditions, moisture, and pollution. Acid rain, water contamination, and soil compaction from logging or heavy equipment can all reduce their numbers. “They’re indicators. If they’re doing well, it tells us the forest floor is still functioning,” Dr. Hews explained. 

Why Conserved Land Matters

A healthy salamander habitat depends on undisturbed forests. Logging and development compact soils, destroy leaf litter, and erase the tiny creeklets that maintain moisture across the landscape. While salamanders rarely live in the water itself, nearby rivulets create the damp conditions they need to survive. Red-backed salamanders also sit squarely in the middle of the food web. They consume insects, nematodes, and other invertebrates and are, in turn, prey for birds, mammals, and snakes. Disturb their habitat, and the ripple moves outward. 

A Magical Teaching Moment

As word spread along the trail, hikers gathered. Children crouched close, eyes wide. Adults leaned in. Questions flowed. How does it live? What does it eat? What should we do if we see one? Moments like this, she believes, are where conservation begins. Not with statistics or regulations, but with wonder. “When people realize these animals are under our feet, living their entire lives where we walk, something shifts. You start valuing the land differently,” Dr. Hews exclaimed.

Seasons, Survival, and a Changing Climate

That snowy November day came at the tail end of the salamanders’ fall breeding season. Red-backed salamanders breed in fall and spring, laying eggs that hatch in early spring. During moist periods, they forage actively, storing energy for winter. When temperatures drop, they retreat deep into soil cracks and tunnels to overwinter. But moisture is the linchpin, and that is where concern enters the story.

According to Dr. Hews, climate models predict that parts of Indiana may experience lower rainfall over time, trending toward conditions more typical of parts of Texas. For moisture-dependent species like salamanders, that shift could push populations northward or to higher elevations. Indiana, with its modest topography, offers limited refuge. “They may not disappear entirely, but they could vanish from places where they’ve always lived,” Dr. Hews added.

Will today’s children be able to show their own kids a red-backed salamander beneath a log?

Why Salamanders Matter to Humans

For a biologist, the value of salamanders is obvious. Biodiversity matters in its own right. But there is another layer, one that reaches directly into human health and technology.

Dr. Hews shared that salamanders have played outsized roles in scientific discovery. Studies of salamander hormones revealed entirely new ways that stress hormones act on cells, discoveries that later reshaped biomedical research in mammals. Other salamander species have inspired advances in adhesives and materials science. Color variations in salamanders are linked to genes associated with melanin and even cancer research. “You never know where a discovery will come from. Basic science often starts with curiosity, not a clear application,” Dr. Hews added.

The red-backed salamander itself comes in multiple color morphs, a genetic puzzle that continues to intrigue researchers. Each variation is another doorway into understanding evolution, genetics, and disease.

Looking Down to Look Ahead

The log was returned, the salamander slipped back into darkness, and snow continued to fall.

Yet, something had changed. What had been an ordinary walk exploring a potential future property for OLC, became a reminder that conservation is as much about awareness as acreage. Protecting land protects systems, relationships, and futures that unfold just inches below the surface. Sometimes, saving a forest begins with learning how to gently lift a log and then, just as carefully, put it back.

Trail #2 at Atherton Island Natural Area Adjusted

Earlier this month, Ouabache Land Conservancy Board Members Jim Nardi, Bill Mitchell, and Denise Sobieski spent the afternoon in the woods at Atherton Island Natural Area, boots muddy, hands busy, and spirits high. Together, they worked on Trail 2, making a thoughtful but important change: rerouting a section of the trail so it no longer runs directly through the creek bed. At first glance, a trail through a shallow stream might seem charming, but from an ecological and conservation standpoint, it’s something we work hard to avoid.

Trails Shape How We Care for the Land

Trails are not just lines on a map. They quietly guide how people move, where feet fall, and how often certain places are touched. When a trail runs directly through a stream or creek bed, every footstep has consequences. Repeated use compacts soil and gravel, which disrupts aquatic habitat. It stirs up sediment that clouds the water, making it harder for fish, amphibians, and insects to breathe, feed, and reproduce. Over time, what looks like harmless splashing becomes erosion, widened channels, and degraded water quality downstream.

By moving the trail out of the stream, we’re giving the creek room to do what it’s supposed to do: flow naturally, support life, and change gently with the seasons.

Protecting the Small Things That Matter Most

Creeks like the one at Atherton Island are living systems. They’re home to salamanders, macroinvertebrates, frogs, and countless organisms we rarely see but deeply depend on. These small species are often the first indicators of ecosystem health.

Keeping trails out of waterways helps:

• Reduce erosion and sedimentation

• Protect spawning and shelter areas for aquatic life

• Maintain cooler water temperatures by preserving stream banks

• Prevent trail widening and habitat loss over time

This is quiet conservation work. No ribbon cuttings. No heavy machinery. Just careful decisions that add up to healthier land.

A Better Experience for People, Too

Rerouting the trail doesn’t just benefit the creek, it improves the hike. A stable path is safer, more accessible, and more resilient during wet seasons. It keeps hikers from trudging through mud, slipping on slick rocks, or unintentionally damaging sensitive areas. The goal is always balance: welcoming people into nature while ensuring nature isn’t loved to death.

Stewardship in Action

At Ouabache Land Conservancy, this kind of work reflects a larger philosophy. Conservation isn’t only about protecting land on paper. It’s about ongoing stewardship, returning to places again and again, and adjusting as we learn more.

Building Trails, Building Partnerships at Bushnell’s North Star Woods

Ouabache Land Conservancy took an important step forward this month in expanding public access at Bushnell’s North Star Woods, spending the day on site with Pete Banta, Terry Usrey, and Jeff McClain from the Hoosier Hikers Council to begin the early planning stages of a future trail. 

The visit focused on evaluating the landscape and identifying potential routes that align with sustainable trail design principles. Rather than formal construction, the work involved walking the property, reviewing existing features such as former logging roads, and discussing how a trail could be developed to protect natural resources while providing a safe and enjoyable visitor experience.

Bushnell’s North Star Woods is one of OLC’s newest conservation properties and is slated to open to the public in the future. Trail development is a key step in preparing the site for responsible public access.

The Hoosier Hikers Council brings extensive experience in trail planning and construction across Indiana, helping land trusts and communities design trails that minimize erosion, protect sensitive habitats, and remain durable over time.

This initial assessment marks the beginning of a longer planning process. Additional site visits, design work, and future volunteer involvement are expected as OLC continues to move toward opening Bushnell’s North Star Woods for hiking and passive recreation.

More updates will be shared as the project progresses. Learn more about Hoosier Hikers Council at hoosierhikerscouncil.org.

Listening to the Forest: How Chickadees, Sound, and Social Life Reveal the Hidden Costs of Habitat Disturbance

To most people, a chickadee is a cheerful flash of black, white, and gray flitting through winter branches, punctuating the cold with its familiar “chick-a-dee-dee-dee.” But to Dr. Jeff Lucas, professor at Purdue University, that tiny 10-gram bird carries one of the most sophisticated communication systems known in the animal world, and a powerful story about how habitat disruption reshapes life in ways we rarely notice.

Dr. Lucas, who studies animal communication and auditory processing, has spent decades elucidating how chickadees communicate, how they hear, and how changes in the landscape alter not only where they live but also how they behave, socialize, and survive.

A Bird With a Surprisingly Complex Voice

Carolina chickadee

Chickadees belong to a family of birds that includes titmice and tits, all of which produce versions of the well-known chickadee call. But the Carolina chickadee, in particular, stands out. “They have one of the most complicated vocal repertoires of anything we know, which is astonishing for a bird that small.”

Unlike many birds with relatively fixed calls, chickadees use a rich combination of tones, frequency changes, and timing to communicate detailed information. Their vocal system enables them to signal a range of signals, from predator threats to foraging opportunities and social status.

This complexity, Lucas explained, is not accidental. It is deeply tied to their unusual social system.

Summer Families, Winter Coalitions

In spring and summer, chickadees behave much like other songbirds. Pairs raise young within well-defined territories, feeding their chicks and defending their space. Then fall arrives, and everything changes. “At the end of summer, parents essentially kick their kids out.”

What happens next is remarkable. Adult chickadees from several neighboring territories merge into a single winter flock. Overnight, birds that once only needed to communicate with a mate and offspring must now navigate defense, foraging, cooperation, and dominance within a much larger social group.

“That sudden social complexity creates the need to talk about a lot of things. And we think that’s why their vocal repertoire is so diverse.” Young birds may either drift together in loose groups or wait for openings in established dominance hierarchies when older birds disappear, a dynamic rarely seen in other species.

When the Forest Changes, So Do the Birds

The only albino chickadee Dr. Lucas has seen in 38 years

Lucas and his colleagues have studied chickadee populations across a gradient of forest disturbance, from high-quality, intact woodlands to heavily altered landscapes. In undisturbed forests, chickadees maintain tight territories and stable social structures. But in areas where forests have been logged or converted, such as sites replanted with walnut trees, everything shifts.

“To a chickadee, a walnut tree is basically a boulder. It doesn’t provide food.” In these degraded habitats, territoriality disappears. Birds range over much larger areas, forming what scientists call fission-fusion flocks, where individuals associate with different birds from day to day. This flexibility may help birds find food, but it comes at a cost. “If there’s nothing worth defending, territoriality isn’t useful. So they spend more time foraging and less time defending space.”

Trust, Caching, and Winter Survival

One of the hidden consequences of habitat disruption involves food caching, an essential survival strategy for chickadees. Chickadees regularly store seeds in thousands of hidden locations, retrieving them later when food is scarce. But caching only works if a bird can trust its territory. “If you don’t have a territory, you can’t trust space, and if you can’t trust space, caching stops being useful.”

Without reliable caches, winter survival becomes more difficult, especially during snow or prolonged cold. Even common species such as chickadees, Lucas noted, are subtly affected when their social systems unravel.

Hearing the Seasons: A Shape-Shifting Auditory System

Beyond behavior, Dr. Lucas’s research revealed something even more surprising: chickadees’ auditory systems change with the seasons. His lab was the first in the world to demonstrate that birds reconfigure how they hear depending on the time of year. In spring and summer, their auditory system is tuned to process tonal songs used in mating. In fall and winter, it shifts to better detect the rapid, complex chickadee calls essential for flock coordination.

This discovery was accidental. “We thought our data were wrong. The results disappeared when we added more birds, until I realized half were collected in spring and half in fall.” What began as confusion turned into a breakthrough now recognized across vertebrates, including fish, birds, mammals, and humans. “When estrogen levels are high, the auditory system is better at detecting fine details. That’s true across species.”

Song, Culture, and Indiana’s Fragmented Forests

Chickadee songs are not hardwired. Like human language, they are learned, making them a form of culture. In central and southwestern Indiana, Lucas has documented substantial variation in chickadee songs, attributable to habitat fragmentation. “Indiana used to be a closed-canopy forest. Now, high-quality habitat often exists as ribbons along rivers.” These ribbons allow song variants to persist and evolve, even if they arise from mistakes or experimentation. Some populations transpose songs across pitch levels with precision; others do not. “We don’t yet know what all that variation means. But it’s mind-numbingly complex.”

Atherton Island and a Living Laboratory

Lucas’s work has brought him to Atherton Island Natural Area, now protected by Ouabache Land Conservancy. He was introduced to the property through Jim Nardi. Lucas collected chickadee calls there and found that birds on the island behave differently from those in other parts of the region, yet another reminder that place matters. “These populations are shaped by their landscape, and Atherton Island is a beautiful, important piece of that puzzle.”

Why This Matters to Everyone

For those who wonder why any of this matters to daily life, Lucas offered a simple answer. “Being outside in green space improves quality of life. And the more complex the ecosystem, the more valuable it is.”Birds move seeds, shape forests, and maintain ecological relationships that humans depend on, often invisibly. Disrupting those systems doesn’t just remove species it erodes the integrity of the entire landscape. “If all the chickadees disappeared tomorrow, the government would still exist. But the quality of the world around us would decline in subtle but profound ways.”

Understanding the Pieces to Protect the Whole

Lucas sees his role not as an advocate telling people how to live, but as a scientist helping others understand how the world works. “The integrity of a habitat depends on the associations among all its parts. From fungi to trees to birds to mammals.” Protecting land through organizations such as the Ouabache Land Conservancy, he believes, safeguards not only scenery but also the delicate social and sensory systems that enable ecosystems and people to thrive. “The more we understand what we’re seeing when we step outside, the richer our lives become. And that matters not just for us, but for the generations that follow.”

Atherton Island Natural Area is now an eBird Hotspot

Atherton Island Natural Area is now listed on eBird, the world’s largest citizen-science platform for bird observations, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Atherton Island joins other Ouabache Land Conservancy properties already listed on eBird, including John O. Whitaker Woods Nature Preserve and Jackson-Schnyder Nature Preserve.

eBird allows birders and nature enthusiasts to record sightings, build species checklists, and contribute valuable data used by scientists to track bird populations and migration patterns. Listing OLC properties on eBird helps elevate the ecological significance of these protected lands while supporting research, conservation planning, and nature-based tourism.

With each new property added, OLC continues to strengthen a regional network of habitats that invite people to observe, learn from, and help protect the natural world, one bird sighting at a time.

❄️ Motus Tower Update: Heavy Lifting, Lightning Protection & A Whole Lot of Concrete ⚡

If you ever wondered what dedication looks like, picture this: Curt Stanfield braving snow and sleet with a hammer drill, driving one of three 10-foot copper-clad ground rods deep into the earth. These rods, along with 90 feet of buried static ground wire, will help protect the Motus antenna from lightning and keep our future wildlife data flowing safely.

Then came the big lift, 3,660 pounds of hand-mixed concrete poured into the foundation. Yes, hand-mixed. On a cold, snowy, rainy day.

A huge thank-you to Marty Jones, Bill Mitchell, Rick Nicholson, and Curt Stanfield for pushing this crucial phase forward. Their work sets the stage for the final tower section and antenna installation coming in January and February.

The toughest part is now officially behind us, and the Motus Tower is one step closer to bringing cutting-edge wildlife monitoring to west-central Indiana.

We are now on the Covered Bridge Festival Map

This year, something wonderfully quiet and powerful happened.

Atherton Island Natural Area officially earned a spot on the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival Map, and that little dot on the map carries a big story.

For the Ouabache Land Conservancy, this recognition is more than a pin on paper. It means one of our region’s most unique natural areas now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Indiana’s iconic bridges, woven into the journey of thousands of visitors who explore Parke County each October.

For festival tourists, it opens a new doorway to wonder. Between bridges and craft tents, they now have the chance to step into the woods and experience a landscape protected forever because local people cared enough to save it.

Atherton Island Natural Area is rugged, rare, and beautifully wild. Being included on the map shines a light on the conservation work happening right here in west-central Indiana and invites more people to discover the landscapes that make this place special.

So if you’re traveling the Covered Bridge loop next fall, carve out a little time to wander a trail where nature tells the story. Thanks to this new listing, Atherton Island Natural Area is ready to greet a whole new wave of adventurers.

Hands-On Leadership Brings North Star Woods Closer to Opening

Bushnell's North Star Woods is one big step closer to opening, thanks to board members Bill & Denise!

Plus, board member Marty Jones purchased all the signage, and Bill found a good price for the signposts, and the team brought it all home! The installation of all the new signs at the parking area is a required step before the property can officially open to the public.

These signs:

• protect sensitive habitat

• guide safe parking for up to 16 cars

• improve visitor safety at the Hunt/Roberts Road curve

• include accessible reserved spaces near the shelter

• clearly mark the service road as no-parking/no-driving except for emergencies

And here’s the coolest part:

The entire parking area (~$20,000) was paid for through the 2025 Annual Celebration & Music on the Prairie with lots of help from many wonderful board members and volunteers.

Please join us in thanking Bill, Denise, and Marty for their hands-on leadership and their heart for the land. Bushnell's North Star Woods is almost ready… and it’s because of people like them.

🌿 Indiana Wetland Wonders: Why OLC Shows Up

On November 11, OLC Board Member Marty Jones attended Indiana Wetland Wonders: Connecting Communities & Nature—an inspiring gathering co-hosted by the Hoosier Environmental Council, Marian University’s Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, and Wetlands Not Warehouses.

Having OLC leadership present at statewide conservation events is essential. These are the places where new partnerships form, best practices are shared, and the future of Indiana’s natural lands is shaped. Marty’s participation ensured that west-central Indiana and OLC’s mission had a seat at the table.

The event began with a guided tour of Marian University’s restored 75-acre EcoLab, one of the earliest ecological restoration projects in the world, designed in 1911 by Jens Jensen using entirely native Indiana plants.

Marty’s Highlights:

• A thriving beaver colony and lodge

• 30 acres of wetlands winding through the historic Riverdale estate

• Cobblestone bridges reminiscent of Acadia National Park

• Marian students conducting hands-on environmental research

• 20 radio-tagged eastern box turtles on site

• Major progress in removing invasive species like honeysuckle

After the tour, Marty attended expert presentations, including remarks from Tom Swinford of Sycamore Land Trust, and explored a stunning photo exhibit. Three of Marty’s photos were featured, along with photos by Michael Lunsford. Both are contributors to HEC’s upcoming book Indiana’s Wetland Wonders: Connecting Communities & Nature, expected next spring.

Why this matters:

When OLC board members like Marty Jones attend statewide gatherings, we stay connected to the broader conservation movement, bring home new ideas, and elevate the visibility of the natural areas we protect in west-central Indiana.

Motus Tower Update: Making Big Progress

We are excited to share a major milestone in our Motus Wildlife Tracking System installation. OLC Board Members, including Curt Stanfield, pictured in action, dug the hole where the tower’s base will be set.

This foundational step is critical: the tower needs a sturdy, level base to safely support the antenna that will track migrating birds, bats, and other wildlife as they move through west-central Indiana.

The next step is pouring the concrete, which will anchor the structure and allow us to move on to assembling and raising the tower. Once installed, this Motus station will join a growing international network helping scientists understand migration patterns, habitat use, and species movement across landscapes.

We’re grateful for the hard work of our board members and partners who are making this project possible. Stay tuned—our Motus tower is almost ready to take flight!

Cleaning Seeds for Next Season’s Prairies

On November 15th, Ouabache Land Conservancy volunteers gathered at Sportland Park’s Ed Shannon Shelter in Clinton, Indiana for a hands-on restoration effort. With plenty of wind rustling through the shelter, everyone stomped into action—using the inelegant but effective method of stepping on dried seeds and seed pods to help separate seeds from their chaff.

Cleaning and prepping these seeds is simple work, but it’s essential. They will be planted soon to expand future prairie and pollinator habitats, supporting birds, butterflies, bees, and the many species that depend on native plants to thrive.

It was a productive morning of conversation, teamwork, and a shared commitment to returning these seeds to the landscape.

A Magical First Snow: OLC Board and Advisory Hike

Members of Ouabache Land Conservancy’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board recently gathered for a private hike, which happened to fall during the first snowfall of the season, transforming the woods into something truly magical. Snow dusted the leaves still clinging to branches, a fleeting blend of autumn and winter that made the day feel special. Several members brought their children to experience the beauty of the season firsthand.

Adding to the excitement, the group spotted Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), a small woodland species that thrives in healthy forest ecosystems.

Moments like these remind us why we do this work—to protect the land, learn from it, and share its quiet magic with the next generation.

Sharing Our Story with TREES Inc.

Ouabache Land Conservancy was honored to be featured at November’s TREES Inc. meeting, held at ReTHink Inc. Board member Dr. Jim Nardi served as guest speaker, sharing about OLC’s work to protect and restore natural areas across west-central Indiana, with a special focus on Atherton Island Natural Area.

Jim highlighted the diversity of trees found on the preserve and the vital role they play in sustaining healthy ecosystems. As both a scientist and conservationist, he brought deep insight into how native trees form the foundation of our region’s natural heritage.

Attendees also enjoyed a delicious lunch of chana masala, adding warmth and hospitality to a thoughtful afternoon of learning and connection.

We’re grateful to TREES Inc. for the invitation and to ReTHink Inc. for hosting. Partnerships like these strengthen the shared roots of our conservation community and remind us how much can grow when local organizations come together.

Grant Awarded for Sanctuary Oaks Parking Area

Ouabache Land Conservancy is honored to receive a $5,000 grant from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation’s Sullivan County affiliate to support a new parking area at Sanctuary Oaks Nature Preserve.

A Place Rooted in the Community

Sanctuary Oaks spans 14 acres of classified forest in Sullivan County—a peaceful landscape of mature trees and thriving wildlife. Access has been limited, and this project will make it safer and easier for visitors, volunteers, and local groups to enjoy this special place.

Local Support, Local Impact

This project is truly by the community, for the community. OLC is partnering with the Sullivan County Highway Department, Wholesale Drainage Supply (a local business providing supplies), and a Sullivan County–based contractor for construction. Every step—from materials to manpower—supports local people and strengthens our shared investment in conservation.

Why It Matters

Improved access may sound simple, but it’s essential to long-term stewardship. The new parking area will make Sanctuary Oaks more safe and welcoming, helping connect more people with the beauty of west-central Indiana’s woodlands.

We’re deeply grateful to the Wabash Valley Community Foundation’s Sullivan County affiliate for their partnership and trust. Work will begin soon, and we look forward to sharing progress updates as this community effort takes shape.

Learning from the Land: Prairie Field Day at Atherton Island

Credit: Vigo County Soil and Water Conservation District

Staff from the Vigo, Vermillion, and Parke County Soil and Water Conservation Districts and others recently came together for a hands-on field day focused on prairie restoration and native seed collection, all eager to learn from Dr. Jim Nardi, who helped restore two remarkable prairie sites in Parke County—one along the riverbottoms within the Healthy Rivers INitiative and another at Ouabache Land Conservancy’s Atherton Island Natural Area.

Jim shared insights into what plants would have naturally grown before these lands were cultivated, helping guide today’s restoration work. Participants spent the day walking through the prairie, learning, and collecting native wildflower seeds.

Field days like this are about more than learning techniques—they’re about reconnecting with the land, sharing knowledge, and rediscovering the wonder that drew so many of us to conservation in the first place.

Teaming Up for Prairie Care at Smith Cemetery Nature Preserve

The Wabash River Invasives Project (WRIP) organized a great volunteer morning at Smith Cemetery Nature Preserve in Vermillion County! Helping hands came together to tackle an unusual challenge—controlling sassafras seedlings that were starting to overtake the prairie.

While sassafras is a native species, in prairie habitats it can behave more like a weed, quickly spreading and shading out the native wildflowers and grasses that define these rare ecosystems. At the request of the Indiana Division of Nature Preserves, volunteers worked together to remove young trees and help keep this special site thriving.

Ouabache Land Conservancy was proud to partner on this project with WRIP, Purdue Extension Vermillion County, and the Vermillion County Soil and Water Conservation District. It was a great day of teamwork, conservation, and shared care for one of Indiana’s beautiful prairie remnants.

Ouabache Land Conservancy Showcases Artist Jim Nardi at the Covered Bridge Art Gallery

Credit: Covered Bridge Art Gallery

We are excited to announce a new partnership with the Covered Bridge Art Gallery on the Square in Rockville, Indiana. Beginning with the Covered Bridge Festival, OLC will have a booth inside the gallery, offering visitors a chance to experience art and conservation together.

Featuring Jim Nardi, Scientist & Artist

The featured artist representing OLC is Dr. James Nardi, a retired research biologist from the University of Illinois, as well as an accomplished author and illustrator. His career in biology, paired with his extraordinary artistic talent, gives his work a unique perspective that celebrates both the beauty and intricacy of the natural world.

Visitors will find a range of his creations available for purchase, including fine art prints, books, and illustrated note cards. Each purchase supports OLC’s ongoing efforts to conserve land across the Wabash Valley.  Eighty percent of all proceeds from sales at OLC’s booth will go directly to support the Conservancy’s mission to protect land and natural resources in West Central Indiana, while the remaining twenty percent benefits the Covered Bridge Art Gallery.

Why It Matters

“Having Jim Nardi’s work featured at the Covered Bridge Art Gallery is significant because it highlights the deep connection between art, science, and conservation. Jim’s illustrations don’t just capture nature’s beauty; they remind us of what we protect through land conservation,” OLC VP of Programs Phil Cox stated.

The Covered Bridge Festival is one of Indiana’s largest and most beloved events, drawing thousands of visitors each October. This new collaboration provides an opportunity for festivalgoers to enjoy world-class artwork while also supporting local conservation initiatives.  

Visit the Gallery

Festival attendees and art enthusiasts alike are encouraged to stop by the OLC booth at the Covered Bridge Art Gallery on the Square in Rockville during the festival and the coming months.  See Jim Nardi’s work, take home a piece of art, and be part of the mission to protect the lands and waters of West Central Indiana.

Koch Brothers Cultivate Conservation in Northern Vigo County

In the rolling fields of northern Vigo County, brothers Joe and Chad Koch, along with their father, James W. Koch Jr., are proving that good stewardship of the land and profitable farming can go hand in hand. Operating as Koch Farms, the trio has embraced conservation practices that not only benefit their cattle operation but also protect the soil and improve water quality for the entire community.

About five years ago, Sara Peel approached them with information about the 319 Grant program, a state and federal initiative that helps farmers implement practices to reduce water pollution. The Ouabache Land Conservancy manages the 319 grant for the Otter Creek Watershed. Sara Peel is a contractor for OLC who helps OLC manage the 319 grant program. Initially, the Kochs were interested in planting cover crops for winter grazing. But soon, they realized the benefits went far beyond feeding cattle. “We started doing it for the cattle, but then we saw it was keeping erosion down and building up soil fertility. It just made sense to keep expanding,” Joe Koch said.

Cover Crops: Cattle Feed and Soil Protector

On Koch Farms, cover crops like wheat, and soon rye, serve a dual purpose. During fall, winter, and early spring, cattle graze on the green growth, reducing the need for expensive hay and corn feed. Meanwhile, the plants’ root systems anchor the soil, keeping it from washing away during rain or blowing off the sandy fields.

The benefits are visible on the farm’s hilly terrain, where conventional tillage once left small ditches and bare spots. “Those plants keep the dirt in place. If it washes, you lose fertilizer and have to go back in with equipment to fix the field, which defeats the whole purpose of no-till,” Joe explained.

No-Till Farming: Saving Time, Fuel, and Moisture

The Kochs have been experimenting with no-till methods for more than 25 years, starting with one field near Joe’s home. By reducing the number of times they work the soil, they save on fuel, limit soil disturbance, and preserve valuable moisture in their sandy soils. “Not all ground is suited for no-till, but where it works, it cuts costs and labor. You can’t find as many people to work these days, so you’ve got to do what you can with family,” Joe Koch admitted.

Equipment Upgrades Through the 319 Grant

Through the 319 Grant, Koch Farms has been able to make key equipment upgrades that improved efficiency and crop establishment. The first project involved refurbishing their Case 5400 drill, replacing worn seed hoses, and adding new closing wheels to ensure the seed is adequately covered with soil. “Without dirt over your seed, it won’t grow. Birds will eat it, or it’ll dry out before it germinates. The closing wheels make sure it’s covered and gets a chance to sprout,” Joe Koch explained.

The grant also helped purchase a second planter with spike closing wheels for variable soil conditions and a GPS-enabled fertilizer truck monitor. The latter allows them to spread seed or fertilizer with precision, even in wetter conditions that might bog down a tractor.

Protecting the Watershed

While the upgrades have improved efficiency and profitability for Koch Farms, they also serve a bigger purpose, protecting the local watershed. By keeping soil in place and maintaining year- round plant cover, the Kochs are reducing sediment and nutrient runoff into nearby creeks. “It all comes back to erosion. If your dirt washes away, it’s not just your field that suffers; it ends up in the water we all share,” Joe Koch said.

Looking Ahead

The brothers aren’t planning to convert every acre to no-till and cover crops, but they expand the practice a little each year. With the added soil fertility from cover crops, they’ve been able to reduce fertilizer use in some areas, cutting costs without sacrificing yields. And while Chad may prefer working with grain Joe might be the more outgoing spokesman, the balance works for them. “We’re night and day, but that’s why it works. We each do our part,” Joe Koch laughed.

As they look toward the future, the Kochs say they’ll keep adopting practices that make sense for their operation and for the land they hope to pass down. After all, in farming, good business and good conservation often grow best together.

OLC at the 20th Annual Indiana Bat Festival

The 20th Annual Indiana Bat Festival at Indiana State University was all about celebrating bats—and having fun while learning about them! Ouabache Land Conservancy was thrilled to be part of the festivities with a booth designed to engage kids and families.

Our bat-themed coloring pages kept little hands busy and sparked conversations about these fascinating creatures. Families stopped by to color, ask questions, and take home information about how OLC protects land (and wildlife) here in west-central Indiana.

From crafts to live bat demonstrations, the festival offers something for everyone. We loved being part of this family-friendly tradition and sharing in the excitement of discovery and play!