In the Indianapolis area, it is unique to find such a diversity of fauna as observed in the Mud Creek Valley. Mud Creek with its rock and sand substrates and clear flowing waters paired with old-growth bottomland forests, rolling woodlands, spring fed tributaries, steep valleys and ravines, wetlands, floodplains, and vernal pools, form an extremely valuable wildlife habitat and refuge.  Connecting to Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park to the south, the Fall Creek greenway to the east, and the Mud Creek riparian corridor to the north, the Mud Creek Valley anchors one of the largest remaining forested corridors in Central Indiana. This corridor provides an ideal wildlife habitat for some of Indiana’s most beautiful and iconic creatures. From well known megafauna such as bald eagles, beaver, red fox, coyote, whitetail deer, pileated woodpeckers, wood ducks and barred owls to a diversity of lesser known warblers, woodland salamanders, snakes, moths, freshwater mussels, darters, minnows, native bees and butterflies, the diversity of species present in the valley is a direct reflection of the presence of the diverse habitats on which they rely.

 

By protecting, preserving, and restoring natural areas in the Mud Creek Valley, we allow these species to flourish and recover. As the world around us moves faster and faster, development, habitat fragmentation, pollution and spread of invasives, puts many of our native species at risk. We view the health and welfare of our fish and wildlife species as a key outcome of our work.

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Below is a sampling of the wildlife that has been observed and photographed in the Mud Creek Valley.