Located outside Middlebury in Elkhart County, the Jesse and Agnes Riegsecker Natural Area encompasses a diverse mosaic of wetlands, early successional fields, and oak-hickory forests across its 203 acres. Small pockets of scattered black oaks and their diverse understories offer glimpses into the region’s historical landscape.

The property comprises equal parts wetland and early successional fields, with about 30 acres of oak-hickory forests persisting on steeper slopes. A high-quality fen wetland and bog-like system adds significant ecological value to the preserve.

The Riegsecker family stewarded this land for over six decades after acquiring it in 1950, planting thousands of trees and managing invasive species. ACRES continues this conservation work, planting 11,000 trees in spring 2025, retiring the final agricultural field.