Posted by John H. Frischie
The Kentland Rotary Club enjoyed an informative presentation
by Stephanie Frischie Seed Collection Manager. In 1996 three key natural areas
in northern Newton County—Conrad Savanna, Beaver Lake Prairie and Willow Slough
Fish and Wildlife Area—were imbedded within a matrix of corn and bean fields.
To improve the long term survival of the plants and animals on those natural
areas, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) purchased 7,200 intervening acres from
Prudential Insurance. This single purchase connected the three properties—a
crucial step to ensure that plants and animals isolated on a single site would
have a more natural bridge to interact, share genetic material and increase the
vigor of the populations. Located along
the eastern extent of the Central Tallgrass Prairie, the Kankakee Sands
Macrosite currently encompasses about 22,000 acres on either side of the
Indiana/Illinois state line including Willow Slough according to the TNC website. Much of the area was covered by Beaver Lake
(once the largest lake in Indiana) until it was drained to produce corn and
soybeans. The property is infested with
invasive species and controlled burns, manual removal, and herbicides are used
to prepare for seeding. A local farmer
is using of the area for cattle pasture to attempt to replicated the harvest
process that bison once provided. Seed is collected from sites on the property
and other areas within 50 miles and grown in the TNC nursery near North Newton
High School. Much of the seed is
handpicked but some can be harvested with a combine or seed stripper. The seed is cleaned and combined in
appropriate mixtures. Senesac Fertilizer
Inc. mixes the seed with age lime and approximately 600 acres are planted each
January.
Some of the land is still rented for agriculture production
and the proceeds are used to pay local property taxes and fund the restoration
project. The Indiana DNR manages the
hunting rights on the land. Stephanie
was the guest or Rotarian Patrick Leahy.
The Kentland Rotary Club also hosted a membership dinner on
August 29th at the Kentland Depot.
Smoked ribs and a member carry-in provided the food and guests were
introduced to the goals and mission of Rotary.
New Signage at Cast Park Donated by Kentland Rotary
The Kentland Rotary Club has received a grant from Rotary District 6540
for new signage and seating in the Kentland Parks. Thanks to Greg Logan and the Kentland Town
work crew fro installing the new “Cast Park Kent Pond” sign in front of the
Kentland Depot. The Kentland Rotary Club
has received a grant from Rotary District 6540 for new signage and seating in
the Kentland Parks. Thanks to Greg Logan
and the Kentland Town work crew for installing the new “Cast Park Kent Pond” sign
in front of the Kentland Depot.