Saving Our last Great Places is a new exciting and evolutionary era in the Indiana Chapter’s history. It is new in the sense that it will move us further down our mission path by expanding the use of non-confrontation solution-oriented strategies; exciting because it is the largest financial commitment this chapter has ever made; evolutionary in the sense that we have been preparing ourselves for this effort since our beginning 35 years ago.

The eight sites in Hoosier Landscapes represent regionally and nationally important ecological places at which The Nature Conservancy has actively worked for many years. Each place is special for many biological and sociological reasons, and each has a "sense of place.

FISH CREEK – Fish Creek represents what we believe is the Great Lakes Basin’s most diverse stream system: 31 species of mussels and 43 species of fish. Three mussel species are federally endangered, one of which is found no where else. For all its diversity, the stream is some what of an anomaly to scientists. The stream’s 110 square mile agricultural watershed in many respects makes this aquatic system an oasis of diversity.

PIGEON RIVER - Pigeon River represents almost all of what comes to mind when we talk of northeast Indiana's wetland systems. This site is rich in several types of wetlands, with some of the most diverse fens or "wet prairies" in the Midwest. The waters and wetlands of Pigeon River attract waterfowl, other migratory birds and harbor a diversity of animals from turtles to massasauga rattlesnakes. At the heart of this system is the Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area.

KANKAKEE BARRENS- This area, once defined by the Grand Kankakee Marsh and part of Indiana's Grand Prairie natural region, supports perhaps the best remaining black oak sand savannas or "oak barrens" in the Midwest, which defines the former range of this natural community. Sand prairies, some wetland remnants and one of North America's most spectacular migratory events - the sandhill cranes of Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area fame- are all found in the Kankakee Barrens.

SUGAR CREEK- Draining a large watershed in west-central Indiana, Sugar Creek represents an outstanding example of the Tipton Till Plain natural region, one of the most severely diminished natural regions of the state and Midwest. Magnificent hardwood forests, white pine and hemlock stands harken back to presettlement Indiana, Pine Hills, the chapter’s first project, along with Turkey Run and Shades State Parks, are some of the keystone areas within the Sugar Creek drainage.

BIG WALNUT – Much like Sugar Creek in its ecological significance, Big Walnut faces a unique threat: imminent expansion of the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area. Big Walnut is also one of the largest nature preserves in Indiana (currently at about 1,200 acres) and presents a significant opportunity to protect a large example of till plain forest, critically important to song birds and a variety of diverse flora and fauna.

WABASH-OHIO LOWLANDS – Shaped by the power of the Ohio and Wabash rivers and influenced by the southern latitude’s warmer climate, these lowlands at the extreme southwestern tip of Indiana support cypress sloughs, bottomland hardwood and floodplain forests. A globally uncommon natural community called a southern terrace flatwoods occurs throughout the site. Migratory birds flock to the rich; wet bottoms and make this area a critical stopover and nesting site. Nearly 3,000 protected acres of natural area and buffer anchor this incredibly diverse region of Indiana.

BLUE RIVER - The Blue Rivers diverse fish and mussel aquatic life make it among the state's most important streams. Its diversity is rivaled by its beauty as it courses through the rugged landscape of southern Indiana. Glades, barrens and other natural features are found throughout the drainage and surrounding landscape. Underlying the area are cave systems and waterways that harbor species unique to this site.

KNOBSTONE UPLANDS - The distinctly rugged hills of the Knobstone Uplands support Virginia pine, siltstone glades, very dry oak upland forests and a number of rare species of plants and animals. Hardin Ridge and Brock-Sampson preserves are core sites within the Knobs which lie about 20 minutes from Louisville, Kentucky.

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