Douglas Woods Nature Preserve Expands by 265 Acres
The Nature Conservancy strengthens habitat and water quality in Steuben County.
Media Contacts
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Chip Sutton
The Nature Conservancy
Phone: 3178293915
Email: csutton@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Indiana has acquired 265 acres in Steuben County, expanding Douglas Woods Nature Preserve and advancing long-term efforts to protect Fish Creek, one of the most biologically diverse streams in the Great Lakes region. This new tract connects two disjunct sections of the preserve, ensuring a large, connected forest remains intact for rare species—such as Blanding’s turtles—to move over land and within Fish Creek while also improving the creek’s water quality.
Fish Creek is home to an exceptional variety of freshwater mussels, including the federally endangered clubshell and more common species like spike and Wabash pigtoe. Mussels act as natural water filters—one mussel can filter up to 15 gallons of water per day—helping keep waterways clean for wildlife and people.
TNC began protecting Fish Creek more than 30 years ago with the purchase of 45 acres at Douglas Woods. Since then, local farmers have adopted thousands of acres of conservation practices, and TNC has expanded its land protection work. Today, 1,635 acres are permanently protected at Douglas Woods Nature Preserve.
Douglas Woods has been the tale of two nature preserves. While both portions of this preserve provide protection for Fish Creek, the protected parcels were separated by this large block of unprotected land. This new addition adds momentum to connecting the two disjunct natural areas. Protection of this tract will not only help bridge the gap between the two sections of Douglas Woods, but also provide additional protection to the water quality in Fish Creek as forested stream banks are ideal for improving stream habitat.
“Improvements to Fish Creek wouldn’t have happened without the community’s direct involvement,” said Nathan Herbert, Northeast Indiana conservation land manager for TNC’s Indiana chapter. “Clean water benefits everyone—not just the organisms that live in it but the communities downstream.”
Plans are underway for new visitor amenities, including hiking trails, wildlife viewing areas, accessible parking and educational signage, making this land protection effort especially timely.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. For more news, visit our newsroom or follow The Nature Conservancy on LinkedIn.