Eagles have returned

Eagles are alive and well in Indiana.

“It’s definitely an awesome success story,” Indiana Department of Natural Resources interpretive manager Teresa Rody told the 59th annual meeting of the Jay County Soil and Water Conservation District on Wednesday.

More than 200 members of the SWCD gathered at Jay County Fairgrounds to elect officers and honor those who have taken the lead in conservation.

Rody noted that in 1897 eagles had pretty much disappeared in the state. The “last” historically documented nest dates from that period, but a federally-supported effort dating from 1985 to 1989 re-introduced bald eagles to the Hoosier state.

Seventy-three eagles were first brought to Lake Monroe in Monroe County. By 2005 they had spread to areas along the Wabash River. And by last year, more than 300 active nesting territories were recorded in Indiana.

“The eagles have moved over to the east side of the state,” said Rody.

At least two active eagle nests have been reported in Jay County.

Though bald eagles were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007, they are still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

If someone encounters an injured bald eagle, she said, the best course of action is to contact the sheriff’s department or check the DNR’s website which includes a list of licensed raptor rehabilitation organizations.

The SWCD recognized Robert Berryhill as its 2017 Conservationist of the Year. He owns 100 acres south of Pennville in Knox Township. Sixty ares are in woods, and 40 acres are enrolled in conservation reserve programs for upland bird habitat and native grasses.

Also recognized were Jordan Wall, who has been honored as a River Friendly Farmer of Indiana, and the Jay County High School soil judging team.

Barry Miller and Bob Schmit were re-elected to three-year terms on the board of supervisors.