Home / Environment / Indiana Wetlands Saved: 4,000 Acres Protected!
Indiana Wetlands Saved: 4,000 Acres Protected!
5 Nov
Summary
- Nearly 4,000 acres in Sullivan County are now protected.
- Effort began with a single 191-acre parcel listing in 2022.
- Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area opened in April 2025.
Nearly 4,000 acres in Sullivan County, Indiana, have been permanently protected, establishing the Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area. This conservation initiative safeguards crucial wetlands, forests, and former coal-mining land for wildlife and public recreation. The project was sparked in late 2022 by the listing of a 191-acre parcel, prompting a larger effort to protect the entire 3,950-acre holding.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources finalized the acquisition in December 2024, valued at over $12 million. This landscape is ecologically significant, bridging prairie and forest ecosystems and providing essential flood control and water filtration through its wetlands. Its proximity to a U.S. Navy test facility also made its protection vital for military operations.
Opened in April 2025, the Busseron Creek Fish and Wildlife Area offers diverse outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and hiking. This success highlights the power of partnerships and swift action in conservation, transforming a potentially fragmented landscape into a protected natural habitat and public space for generations.
