Muncie wetland project wins national honors

MUNCIE, Ind. — A team of central Indiana conservation groups has won national honors for restoring a 27-acre wetland that's become a rest stop for migrating birds and a haven for other wildlife.

The John M. Craddock Wetland Nature Preserve Team received the 2010 National Earth Team Volunteer Group Award on Tuesday.

The team restored the area in Muncie near the White River to a condition close to what European settlers found when they arrived in the area. They also built wooden boardwalks for the public and placed signs identifying plants and animals. Team members have also worked to clear trash and invasive plants from the site.

The award recognizes outstanding work by participants in the Earth Team Volunteer program, which is sponsored by the federal government's Natural Resources Conservation Service.