The Nature Conservancy’s Indiana Chapter has recently bought 1,700 forested acres in Pike County that is home to at least 63 animal species and 20 plant species considered threatened or endangered by the state, according to a conservancy media release.

The land, which is next to the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, adds to land already protected by the refuge and creates more than 20,000 acres of contiguous habitat for wildlife.

This land protection project was created with the launch of the conservancy’s $48-million Human:Nature campaign, which focuses on the connection between humanity and nature.

Donations raised from the campaign will help:

• protect an additional 40,000 acres of Indiana’s disappearing prairies, forests and wetlands for future generations;
• clean up waterways and build healthy, fertile soils by working with the agricultural sector from farm–to table;
• drive climate solutions by providing guidance on renewable energy sites that are compatible with nature, community needs and the economy;
• inspire at least a million more Hoosiers to connect with nature and act on its behalf.

“Indiana has amazing natural diversity,” said Larry Clemens, state director of The Nature Conservancy in Indiana. “It boasts sandy beaches in the northwest part of the state, deep glacial lakes and wetlands in the northeast, and rich oak-hickory forests, limestone cliffs and bottomland swamps with massive cypress trees in the south. But it is threatened. Our growing demands for food, water and energy are pushing our natural world to its limits.”

To learn more about the campaign, visit here.