Eagle Slough Could be Area's Newest Wildlife Preserve

It hasnt been called "Eagle Slough" on maps for years, but the historic name for 127 acres of low, swampy ground bordered by I-164 on the north, US 41 on the east, and Ellis Park on the south, is once again finding its identity. A group of preservationists, lead by the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District, convinced the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to work with them to assemble three plots of land to create a new wildlife preservation area. Eagle Slough will be operated by Four Rivers Resource Conservation and Development agency. All the interested parties began researching the history of Eagle Slough, and discovered that the land was held in three parcels, two of which were owned by the state. Another portion was held by Traylor Brothers Construction of Evansville. Four Rivers and their partners worked to get deeds to all of the land from the state, and were fortunate enough to have Traylor Brothers donate their parcel. The property is essentially useless for developers because it is a swampy flood plain. But that terrain is exactly why preservationists love it. "We sort of look at it as a Motel 6 for migratory ducks and geese," said Eagle Slough steering committee member Greg Meyer. In addition to being a flood plain, there are large lakes on the land, which are perfect habitat for water fowl. Organizers also discovered an abandoned railroad bed running from north to south on the property. "It gives us a ready made trail thats out of the flood zone... makes this property handicapped accessible and is the perfect platform to turn this area in to not only a conservation area, but an educational area," said Meyer. There is no time line on getting the property ready for public visits. It needs to be cleared of litter, which has accumulated over the last several years, and includes several dozen tires, and even a rusted over pickup truck. Organizers hope the public will step up and help with clearing the litter. A clean up date has been set for April 5 at 8 a.m. You can access the site from the north end of Ellis Park. A rain out date for the clean up is April 26. There is also a chance for public input on the preserve. March 13 at 6:30 at the Evansville Central Library, the Eagle Slough steering committee will be taking suggestions on ways to make the best use of the preserve.