What does the industrial city of Gary, Indiana share in common with the rural lowland communities of coastal North Carolina and South Carolina? The answer: flooding, degraded wetlands, and a history of underfunding and other inequitable policies. And, as it turns out, secretive marsh birds like Least Bittern. Audubon is proud to launch a new suite of climate resilience planning projects in partnership with coastal communities in Indiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Supported by grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Audubon Great Lakes and our community partners will work together to envision what’s needed to reduce flooding and improve quality of life, while also restoring and protecting the places birds need in the Calumet region and will provide an opportunity to conduct a community-driven planning effort and restore degraded wetland habitat along the West Branch of the Little Calumet River in Gary, Indiana.
The Indiana project officially kicked off on Earth Day with a celebration at Hatcher Park and Marshalltown Marsh, together comprising 300 acres of degraded wetlands and park space. Indiana State Rep. Ragen Hatcher joined the celebration at the park, named after her father, Gary Mayor Richard G. Hatcher, along with community members and partners. This summer, the community will have opportunities to get involved in the project at a community restoration day on July 22 at Hatcher Park. You can read more about the project in the Chicago Crusader and watch a video about the project.Learn more |
