The US FWS Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge is associated with a Lower Wabash River LCD team exploring voluntary conservation on public and private lands in a region with fairly cohesive ecology, issues and practices in mixed habitat types of uplands, wetlands and floodplain forest in the mainstem and headwaters along the Lower Wabash River in two states: south of Terre Haute, IN; the Eel River & Lower White River below the confluence with the Wabash River in Indiana; and the Little Wabash and Fox Rivers below Highway 50 in Illinois. The project focuses on management of floodplains and headwater areas that have direct effects on these bottomland habitats. Initial objectives include: wildlife conservation; nutrient stewardship; adaptation to future changes; and maintaining working lands. The Lower Wabash River Landscape Conservation Design Strategic Plan & Landscape Conservation Design Framework presents a draft approach to collaborative conservation for the partner agencies and organizations (DRAFT May 2017).
