The Potter Unit Nature Preserve

In October 2003, the Potter Unit Nature Preserve was accepted by the NSS. The Potter Unit Nature Preserve objectives include protecting habitat to assure the continuing existence and aid in recovery of federally listed endangered and threatened Ozark cave species and to reduce the need for future listing of species of concern in the Ozarks.

Federally listed endangered and threatened species known to occur on this land are the Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) and gray bats (Myotis grisescens). There are two caves, Crystal Cave and Blue Moon Cave, on the Nature Preserve, along with a Natural Bridge and many karst features.

The original donor of the property had hoped to give it the US Fish & Wildlife Service in 2003, but they were unable to accept it at that time, due to internal issues. Those issues were resolved recently, so the NSS transferred the Potter Unit Preserve to the US Fish & Wildlife Service in August, 2009.

The Potter Unit Nature Preserve Management Committee had been chaired by Billy Howard.

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