Conservation Partners
INPAWS is one of a whole community of organizations and government agencies working toward similar conservation goals. Get to know these organizations, and look for opportunities to collaborate. There’s strength in numbers!
Local Organizations
The Nature Conservancy, Indiana Chapter The Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy got its start by purchasing Pine Hills, a 600-acre jewel in Montgomery County, in 1960. In the past 50 years, it has helped to protect more than 67,000 acres at 187 sites throughout the state.
Brown County Native Woodlands Project Focused on controlling the invasive plants threatening Brown County’s natural areas, the project has mapped invasive species along county roadsides, trained volunteers, and begun eradication of the devastating Japanese knotweed. The project has also completed more than 50 free invasive-plant assessments on private property and created an informative website. Every September BCNWP sponsors Nature Daze, a free all-day family event with a focus on being good stewards of the land.
Center for Urban Ecology at Butler University Seeking to be a national leader in the study and practice of urban ecology, the Center focuses on the interactions between and among organisms and their urban environment, viewing the city itself as an ecosystem. Its mission is to innovatively explore, steward, and enhance urban ecosystems. The Center facilitates interdisciplinary research and education, place-based projects, and public discourse by engaging Butler students, faculty, staff, and community partners.
The Indiana Land Protection Alliance This is a collaboration of land conservation organizations working around the state of Indiana. ILPA members meet quarterly and strive to improve the effectiveness of land protection efforts by land trusts and their partners. Collectively, local land trusts in Indiana have protected more than 20,500 acres of natural habitat, working lands (farms and forests), and other special areas (2005 Land Trust Alliance Survey). Permanent protection of natural areas enhances our quality of life by protecting air and water quality, providing sites for environmental education, and creating recreational opportunities such as hiking and canoeing. Protection of agricultural lands helps to provide food and fiber for our growing population, strengthens our economy, and maintains open space for scenic views of our Hoosier landscape.
Environmental Education Association of Indiana Seeking to build an environmentally literate citizenry of lifelong learners and good stewards of Indiana’s natural resources, EEAI promotes environmental education, networking and communication, and opportunities to educate, motivate, and inspire citizens to meet society’s needs while maintaining a healthy environment.
Friends of the White River The White River flows in two forks across most of Central and Southern Indiana, creating the largest watershed contained entirely within the state, draining all or part of nearly half the counties. The Friends of White River seek to preserve and protect the river, representing those who use it for recreational purposes, those who live near its banks, and all citizens interested in the preservation of the river as a natural resource.
Gibson Woods Wild Ones “Wild Ones” is a national organization headquartered in Wisconsin. The Gibson Woods chapter was established in 2000, when several people gathered at Gibson Woods, eager to learn about the benefits of landscaping with native plants. The chapter holds an annual native plant sale in May.
For additional conservation partners, visit eco-usa.net’s comprehensive list of Indiana Environmental Organizations.
Government Agencies
Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves The Division of Nature Preserves seeks to identify, protect, and manage an array of nature preserves and natural areas in sufficient numbers and sufficient sizes to maintain viable examples of all of Indiana’s natural communities. It also manages and maintains viable populations of endangered, threatened, and rare species.
Environmental Protection Agency Download EPA Strategic Goals 2011-2015 to learn how the EPA intends to act on climate change and air quality, protect America’s waters, clean up communities, advance sustainable development, prevent pollution, and enforce environmental laws. The EPA Great Lakes region Greenacres site provides information about landscaping with native plants.
National Organizations
Plant Conservation Alliance The PCA is a consortium of ten federal government Member agencies and over 225 non-federal Cooperators representing various disciplines within the conservation field: biologists, botanists, habitat preservationists, horticulturists, resources management consultants, soil scientists, special interest clubs, non-profit organizations, concerned citizens, nature lovers, and gardeners. PCA Members and Cooperators work collectively to solve the problems of native plant extinction and native habitat restoration, ensuring the preservation of our ecosystem.
Native Plant Conservation Campaign A national network of affiliate native plant societies, botanical gardens, and other plant conservation organizations, collaborating to exchange information and create a strong national voice to advocate for native plant species and community conservation. Among other things, NPCC promotes equal funding and protection for plants and other species in conservation law and practice, improved staffing and funding for plant conservation and research, and stronger federal laws for conservation of native plants and ecosystems. Their brochure “Wild Plants Wild Places” can be ordered in quantity for plant sales, presentations, and other plant conservation events.
Center for Plant Conservation A network of 36 leading botanic institutions dedicated solely to preventing the extinction of U.S. native plants. Maintains a living collection of rare plants with more than 700 of America’s most imperiled native plants. Live plant material is collected from nature under controlled conditions and then carefully maintained as seed, rooted cuttings or mature plants.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Wildflower Center’s mission to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. Its collaborative Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) is pioneering a rating system for sustainable landscaping.
Wild Ones Natural Landscapers A not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization that promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities. Their comprehensive “Landscaping with Native Plants” guidebook, recently revised to include a wider variety of native landscaping ecoregions, is available for purchase on their website.