State nature preserve is dedicated in Adams, Jay County

The Natural Resources Commission has approved the dedication of the Limberlost Swamp Nature Preserve located in Adams and Jay Counties during its regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting at Fort Harrison State Park earlier this week.

According to Ryan Smith, regional ecologist for the East Central district of Indiana that covers 14 counties, the area will expand the Limberlost Conservation Area and add to existing wetlands area that provides permanent protection for significant natural areas within the state.

The nature preserve includes 719.23 acres and includes a parking area and more than three miles of walking trails. Smith noted this area has been in existence for some time and is not actually new wetlands area. An actual addressed for the nature preserve is CR 1999 W – CR 1200 S, which is also the AdamsJay County line.

Smith said the area is popular with individuals interested in nature and birdwatching as a variety of birds, including shorteared owls, Northern harriers, waterfowl, migrating shorebirds, sandhill cranes, and bald eagles being routinely seen.

The dedication of the area, which is southwest of Geneva, increases the number of state-designated sites protected by the Nature Preserves Act to 298, representing more than 53,000 acres of protected land.

The location is approximately one mile north of the Loblolly area in Jay County.

The NRC is an autonomous board that addresses topics pertaining to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Members of the agency represent the DNR, Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, and the Indiana Department of Transportation. Along with six citizens appointed by the Governor Eric Holcomb on a bipartisan basis, the chair of the DNR’s advisory council, and the present of the Indiana Academy of Science.

The Adams County location is open yearround and there is no charge to visit.