Indiana Heritage Trust Program Annual Report 1997-1998

INTRODUCTION

The Indiana Heritage Trust is a public/private conservation partnership established in 1992 by the Indiana General Assembly to ensure that Indiana's rich natural heritage is conserved for, and held in trust by, its citizens today and the generations to come.

No other single endeavor has shown so much promise in ensuring the preservation of the state's natural and scenic beauty. Lands and waters are acquired from willing sellers and land donors, are conserved as part of Indiana's system of state parks, reservoirs, forests, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves, historic and archeological sites, trail and stream corridors, and wetlands.

The purpose of this 1997-1998 Annual Report is to present a brief summary of the program status. Information is provided through December 31, 1998.

1993-1998 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

FUNDING FROM STATE SOURCES

The state of Indiana's commitment to the Heritage Trust since the inception of program is nearly $25.7 million. State funds were generated as follows:

1. One of the major sources of funding is provided on a voluntary basis by citizens who purchase Environmental License Plates- "The Soaring Eagle" Plate sales since the inception of the program through 1998 amounted to 415,828 plates raising $10,395,700. Few public participation endeavors in the state's history are matched by the accomplishments of this program.

2. The other major source of funding has come from the Indiana General Assembly: $5 million in 1995 and $5 million in 1997 for a total of $ 10 million.

3. $3 million was transferred from a special fund from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

4. Other significant funding has come from dedicated wetland funds on hand at the inception of the program ($669,541 ), interest earned on fund balances, and donations.

It is important to note that the General Assembly made three important leveraging decisions to advance the cause of the Indiana Heritage Trust: 1) They advocated program start-up through the development and sale of environmental license plates; 2) They had the foresight to contribute nearly half of the state funding through biennial appropriations; and 3) They provided the mechanism to utilize non-state funds to enhance the program by forming partnerships with federal and local governmental agencies, and with private-sector organizations and individuals.

PARTNERSHIP LEVERAGE:

FUNDING FROM NON-STATE SOURCES

Since the inception of the program, 71 non-state partners have given and pledged over $19 million to 74 IHT projects. A total of 137 projects are completed or pending purchase.

In effect, through the first 6 years of the program, the citizens of Indiana are getting nearly a dollar for dollar match on their investment ($19 million non-state: $21 million state).

CONSERVATION PERFORMANCE:

PROTECTING LANDS AND WATERS

During the past 6 years, the IHT program has acquired 71 projects throughout the state, protecting 20,572 acres valued at nearly $30 million. It has approved and is in the process of acquiring 66 projects that total 7,011 acres valued at nearly $ 11 million.

Projects pending: Non-IHT funds represent 31 % of the total project costs. Projects completed. Non-IHT funds represent 53 % of the total project costs.

THE CHALLENGE

The program accomplishments to date have exceeded all expectations. The apportionment of IHT funds for state parks, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves, state forests and outdoor recreation sites meets the diversity of interests of the citizens while the geographic distribution of the projects makes them accessible to people through-out Indiana's cities, towns and country sides. But with the state's population growth we know we must make our investments today - tomorrow future land and water conservation opportunities will prove to be scarce and expensive.

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