Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.

This CCP articulates the management direction for Muscatatuck NWR for the next 15 years. Through goals, objectives, and strategies, this CCP describes how the Refuge intends to fulfill its purpose and contribute to the overall mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Prior to the CCP, Refuge management was guided by a 1982 Master Plan, which is now dated, and other short-term plans of limited scope. There is a need for a broad, long-term look at management direction given changed conditions and scientific information, and over 40 years of on-the-ground experience by the Service managing the Refuge.

The Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), established in 1966, manages 7,802 acres in Jackson, Jennings, and Monroe Counties of Indiana (Figure 1). The Refuge also administers nine conservation easements totaling 130.5 acres in five Indiana counties. The Refuge consists of wetland, grassland and woodland communities. The Refuge provides habitat for many avian species including ducks, geese, non-game grassland and forest birds including many neo-tropical migrants, shorebirds, wading birds, birds of prey and Wild Turkey. A wide variety of reptiles and mammals including the copperbelly water snake, Kirtland's snake, river otter, and white-tailed deer, many fish species and a broad range of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates also inhabit the Refuge. Included among the diverse assortment of wildlife and plants found on the Refuge are several federally listed species, including the federally listed endangered Indiana bat, and many more state-listed species. Species lists found in Appendix C note any state and federal designations.

The Myers cabin still sits on the original cornerstones where it has stood for over 130 years. The cabin's logs were cut from red beech that were numerous then. It was built around 1870 by Louis Myers with the help of Alvis and Samuel Banks who hewed the logs. After Carl Myers parents died in the mid 1940's the cabin was used for storage and also used to shed a school bus under the back porch roof. Later the front and back porches were removed and the protective weather boarding was removed leaving it to the mercy of the elements. In 1995 & 1996 the cabin underwent major restoration. Several logs had to be replaced as well as the chinking. The porches were put back on. Oak shingles were split too cover the roofs. The author and his two friends Mark Wolfal and Dick Sharke volunteered their time for this two year project. Also Norman Click helped when he could.