Protecting and Preserving

The goals of the Friends of Cedar Creek are to preserve Cedar Creek in Northeast Indiana as a natural stream flow unaltered from its present condition, to eliminate all polluting materials that enter Cedar Creek from its watershed, to encourage preservation of wildlife habitat, to protect the flood plain and to cooperate with public and private agencies and groups who concur that maintenance of Cedar Creek as a natural stream represents its highest condition and use.

Formed by the Wisconsin glacier in what are now Allen, DeKalb, and Noble counties in northeastern Indiana, the Cedar Creek valley is "one of the most unusual valley systems in the world," according to geologist Dr. Jack Sunderman. Cedar Creek is the largest tributary to the St. Joseph River, Fort Wayne's only drinking water supply. The Cedar Creek watershed forms an important wildlife habitat and migratory songbird route enjoyed and studied by residents of and visitors to this region.

Because of its unique natural, scenic, and recreational character, Cedar Creek became the second of only three natural streams in Indiana to be designated as a preserved waterway. Under the State of Indiana Natural, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers Act, the Indiana Natural Resources Commission in 1976 protected 13.7 miles of Cedar Creek, from County Road 68 in DeKalb County to confluence with the St. Joseph River in Allen County. In addition, the A-3 zoning of most of Cedar Creek's valley increases property values and limits high-density, commercial, and industrial development while protecting and maintaining the watershed's natural qualities.

Cedar Creek's headwaters have been extensively ditched and dredged for agricultural drainage, which has increased the watershed's vulnerability to erosion. Increased development has also created problems with bacterial contamination resulting from inadequate home septic systems. Misguided and inappropriate flood control schemes and "debrushing" projects that alter natural hydrology and vegetation are further threats to Cedar Creek's water quality and integrity as an outstanding state resource.



Educate and Inspire.

Fosters understanding of the critical role the natural environment plays in the health and well-being of our community.

Provides and/or coordinates programs, speakers and print materials on topics such as water quality, drainage,
        septic system management, wildflowers, and Cedar Creek's fascinating geological history.

Researched and published "Protecting Neotropical Migrant Birds by Saving Watershed Riverine Forests" (1997), which
        lists and describes 48 neotropical songbirds (such as the Red-Eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tanager and Yellow Warbler)
        that use the unique Cedar Creek valley as a migratory route each spring.

Stimulates ideas and creative thinking for strategies to preserve the Cedar Creek valley.

Inspires a healthy respect for our shared environment on earth by increasing public awareness and appreciation of the
        Cedar Creek valley's rich and diverse natural features, such as the following:

         Massive trees, including Oak, Maple, Beech, Buckeye, Walnut, Cherry, and Sycamore

         Majestic birds such as Great Blue Herons, hawks, owls, ducks, warblers and woodpeckers
                including Downy, Hairy, Pileated, and Red-bellied

         Steep wildflower-covered hillsides rimming Cedar Creek that include rare plants such as
                Yellow Lady's Slipper, Blue-Eyed Mary, Blue Lobelia, Goldenseal, Green Dragon, and Blue Cohosh

         Dramatic mosses and ferns

         Wild turkeys, raccoons, deer, coyote, fox, mink, muskrats, beaver, otter, clams, mollusks, and fish

         Valuable wetlands that replenish Allen County aquifers and provide habitat for turtles, toads, snakes,
                salamanders, and frogs