Pecan Basin: Cates-Clawson Reserve
A 155-acre property edging the Wabash River in southwestern Fountain County that includes 3/8 of a mile of river frontage with mature floodplain forest. The Wabash River floodplain fields, previously in corn/ bean production when NICHES purchased the land, were reforested in 2001.
The restored forest offers a natural buffer along the edge of the river, while providing habitat for native flora and fauna.
North of the parking lot is a deposit of sand that is home to sand loving flora such as horsemint.
East of the property parking lot and across the road a mature upland forest that NICHES has thinned and returned fire to the beneift of the native plants and animals that call this property home.
Activities
- Bird Watching
- Fishing
- Handicap Accessible Trail
- Mushroom Harvesting Allowed
- Trails
- Wildflowers
History of Acquisition and Property
An excellent example of collaborative partnerships fostering conservation efforts, NICHES Land Trust acquired Pecan Basin December 2000 with the assistance of grants from the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission, the Roy L. Whistler Foundation, and the Covington Community Foundation.
Ducks Unlimited reforested the bottom lands with the help of a grant from Cinergy Corporation. Pheasants Forever supplied native grass seeds for reseeding six acres of bottomland under the high tension power lines.
In 2017 NICHES partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife to restore the oak woodlands on the east end of the property, eliminating invasive species and thinning the canopy to give oaks a better chance to recruit.
How to Get There
From Perrysville, take State Road 32 east to Silver Island Road (the first road to the right). Follow the river south on this road for 1 1/2 miles to its intersection with Liberty Church Road, Pecan Basin’s southern boundary. The lowlands are to your right, the uplands to your left. The coordinates for the parking lot are: N 40° 01.584′ , W 87° 25.103′.
Noteworthy Information
A half-mile paved handicap accessible asphalt loop trail leads from the parking lot to the corner of the old Wabash and Erie Canal and back.
Closures
Closed in November for Deer Control Hunt
Parking
Gravel and grass lot
Number of Acres
155
Trail Description
.5 mile mostly paved loop
