Nature Conservancy Adds Acreage at Douglas Woods

Olive B. Cole Foundation Gift Allows for 64-acre Acquisition

ANGOLA, IN — The Nature Conservancy recently acquired approximately 64 acres in DeKalb County at its Douglas Woods Nature Preserve. The purchase was made possible in part by a generous gift from the Olive B. Cole Foundation of Fort Wayne.

Douglas Woods

The Conservancy’s Douglas Woods is a 500-acre nature preserve that includes a large forest block important as migratory bird stopover habitat. Douglas Woods also acts as a filter to help protect water quality in Fish Creek, which is home to a number of threatened and endangered freshwater mussel species. Fish Creek is also a tributary to the Upper Saint Joseph River, which is used as a source of drinking water by the city of Fort Wayne.

The latest acquisition contains wooded floodplain acreage along Fish Creek, as well as some isolated wetlands and approximately 40 acres of agricultural fields.

The Conservancy is finalizing a restoration plan for the site, which includes plans to restore wetlands and reforest the property over the next few years. Elizabeth Mizell, land steward for the Conservancy in northeast Indiana, says “Once the restoration is completed, the new tract will provide additional protection for Fish Creek, as well as expanding the habitat available for the endangered Copperbelly Watersnake and migratory birds.”

This recent purchase is a continuation of the conservation work begun by The Nature Conservancy’s Upper Saint Joseph River project office over fourteen years ago. In this fourteen years the Conservancy has worked with many farmers, landowners, and other partners to promote conservation within northeast Indiana, while helping landowners meet the goals they have for their property. This science based, ‘common sense’ approach to conservation has resulted in the protection of approximately 2,000 acres in LaGrange, Steuben, and DeKalb Counties. In addition, the Conservancy has reforested or restored wetlands on hundreds of acres by working with partners and local landowners.

Douglas Woods is named for the Douglas family, local landowners who wanted to preserve part of the family’s farm. Harold and Pat Douglas knew The Nature Conservancy would keep the land in a natural state. Born on this farm, Harold recalls a time when people would ask, “Why don’t you folks cut those trees?” His mother would just reply, “We think we’ll just let ‘em grow a little longer.” Harold’s mother, like Harold himself, understood the intrinsic value of undisturbed woods. Thanks to the foresight of Harold and his family, visitors can enjoy this Indiana treasure for generations to come.

The Olive B. Cole Foundation was established in Indiana in 1954 with funds donated by the late Richard R. Cole and Olive B. Cole. The goal of the Cole Foundation is local giving, chiefly in the areas of education, community projects, and recreation. The Foundation has supported projects of The Nature Conservancy since 1986, starting with Olin Lake in Lagrange County.

For more information about the Conservancy’s Douglas Woods Nature Preserve, please visit www.nature.org/indiana.

Photo: Douglas Woods, by Ron Leonetti

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.