Resources Commission (NRC) has approved nature preserve status for three
sites, increasing to 277 the number of state-designated sites protected by
the Nature Preserves Act, which turns 50 years old this year.
At its monthly
meeting on Tuesday, the NRC formally designated the following as new nature
preserves: Pisgah Marsh in Kosciusko and Whitley counties; Greenbrier Knob
in Harrison County; and County Line Glades in Harrison and Crawford
Pisgah Marsh Nature
Preserve is a 118-acre property that is part of the larger Pisgah Marsh Fish
& Wildlife Area and is owned and managed by the DNR Division of Fish &
Wildlife. It features high-quality examples of fen, sedge meadow, marsh, and
oak woodland natural communities--with an ADA-accessible boardwalk leading
visitors to Pisgah Lake--and provides habitat for a number of
state-endangered wildlife species, including Blanding’s turtle, spotted
turtle, Virginia rail, sedge wren and least bittern.
owned and administrated by the DNR Division of Forestry and comprised of two
separate tracts in Harrison-Crawford State Forest, protects mesic upland
forest that borders the Blue River along with gravel-wash sites and a
high-quality example of a riverine limestone ledge community that hosts
several rare and endangered plant species.
species at Greenbrier Knob include state and federally endangered Short’s
goldenrod, Appalachian bugbane, prairie redroot, sand grape, and cleft
phlox. Its state-rare species include barren strawberry and wild false
indigo. The watch-listed meadow spike-moss and American wild basil also can
be found there. Noteworthy animal species include several mollusks along the
banks of the Blue River: the state endangered clubshell and snuffbox, and
the state special-concern kidneyshell and little spectaclecase. Also present
is the state special-concern spotted darter.
County Line Glades,
owned and administrated by the DNR Division of Forestry, is also comprised
of two separate tracts in Harrison-Crawford State Forest. It features
limestone glades and adjoining dry upland forest with a diverse assortment
of site indicator species, including Indian grass, New Jersey tea, American
columbo, blackjack oak and post oak. Noteworthy plant species include the
state rare golden alexanders and limestone adder’s-tongue as well as the
state threatened pink thoroughwort. Noteworthy animal species include the
watch listed springtail and the state endangered Indiana bat.