The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

"Resources will only be conserved as a result of intent."  (Ray McCormick, Indiana Farmer)

The Indiana Conservation Alliance (the Conservancy serves on the steering committee) worked diligently this session to help create the Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force. The 2011 Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Bill 375, creating the Task Force. Senator Phil Boots and Representative Tom Saunders were the authors the bill. It overwhelmingly passed both houses and had the support of conservation groups around the state.

There are four legislative members and one individual representing each of the following organizations: the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Indiana Farm Bureau, the Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners, Association, the Indiana Land Protection Alliance, the Indiana Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy.

• Senator Doug Eckerty (R-Yorktown)
• Senator Richard Young (D-Milltown)
• Representative Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo)
• Representative Phil Pflum (D-Milton)
• Ray McCormick (Vincennes--Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts)
• Dave Wyeth (North Salem--Indiana Farm Bureau)
• Robert Woodling (Unionville--Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association)
• William Weeks (Bloomington--Indiana Land Protection Alliance)
• Steve Cecil (Indianapolis--Indiana Wildlife Federation)
• Mary McConnell (McCordsville—The Nature Conservancy)

The legislation charged the members of Task Force with the following duties:

1. Collect programmatic and funding information concerning current natural resource protection programs in Indiana.
2. Perform a needs assessment concerning the natural resource programs in Indiana, including current programs and associated costs.
3. Collect information concerning natural resource protection programs in other states, particularly states bordering Indiana, as well as the funding levels and funding mechanisms for these programs.

The Task Force will be reporting their progress to the Natural Resources Study Committee at both their first meeting in 2012 and their last meeting in 2012. Copies of the progress reports will be sent to the Governor. Beginning November 1, 2012, the task force, at the direction of the legislative council and the Natural Resources Study Committee will conduct any follow-up research and policy analysis and the prepare their final report. The report will set forth their findings and recommendations, including a report card on the health of natural resources in Indiana. 

Next Meeting of the Task Force:

Wedneday, August 22nd (tentative date)
Time : 2:00 pm
Place: The Nature Conservancy's Efroymson Conservation Center, 620 E. Ohio Street, Indianapolis
Public Welcome

We will keep this website up-to-date on meetings, agenda, minutes and other information. If you have questions, contact: Lynn Dennis at ldennis@tnc.org or you may call (317) 829-3810.