The Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area represents one of the largest bottomland hardwood ecosystems in southern Indiana, with meandering oxbows, marshes, ponds, managed moist-soil units, and constructed wetlands that provide suitable habitat for a wide range of wildlife.
An important group of organisms that inhabit these wetland areas are the Odonata, more commonly known as damselflies and dragonflies. Odonata play vital roles as predator and prey, are important bioindicators of ecosystem health, and are of conservation concern in wetland and aquatic habitats.
Don Bateman, a retired chemistry, and environmental science professor at the University of Evansville, led a study to determine what species of Odonata occurred on the Refuge with an emphasis on locating rare, threatened, and endangered species. To learn about the amazing Odonata of the Patoka River NWR and their importance to the general public, please join Don on May 18, 2024, at 10 am central time at the Oakland City Public Library.
