(Jefferson County, IN) – A “Save Big Oaks” Rally is set for Saturday, June 13 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse Square.
A podium and microphone will be set up for public comment.
Statehouse candidate Victoria Martz (HD 55-D-Batesville) has launched an online petition to save Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. It garnered more than 1,000 signatures less than 24 hours.
Big Oaks sits on 50,000 acres of public land spanning Ripley, Jennings, and Jefferson counties, and serves as a sanctuary for more than 120 bird species.
It also provides a habitat for rare and endangered plants and native wildlife.
Big Oaks has offered the public opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, and outdoor recreation for more than two decades.
The refuge is an economic driver for local rural communities, and brings tourism dollars to local bait shops, outdoor retailers, gas stations, and restaurants.
But because of federal budget cuts, Big Oaks is down from five full-time employees to just one to oversee 50,000 acres.
As a result, public access is now limited to two days a week. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 Office is considering terminating its management agreement, which would permanently close the gates of the refuge to the public.
“The rapid surge of over 1,000 signatures in under a day shows just how deeply the rolling hills, winding trails, hunting lands, and fishing waters of Big Oaks are woven into the fabric of our Hoosier identity,” said Martz. “Losing 50,000 acres of public land isn’t just an ecological tragedy; it’s an assault on our local heritage and outdoor way of life. This rally isn’t about me—it’s about elevating the collective voice of our community. We need federal decision-makers to hear directly from the people who love and rely on this land.”
