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ACRES Protects Disko Fen

Disko Fen, a 58-acre preserve located in Wabash County, first caught the eye of conservationists decades ago. This special place features marl and peat wetlands and is home to a variety of sedges and plants like swamp lousewort, lesser fringed gentian and shrubby cinquefoil. Rich Dunbar, regional ecologist with Indiana Department of Natural Resources, noted ...

  • 05/30/2023
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The Power of Nature: A Monthly Mental Health Ritual

We all have our go-to self-care routines, whether it’s curling up with a good book or finding comfort in our favorite meal. But have you ever considered nature as a tool for improving your mental health? For Monica Sweigert and her friend, Tina, spending time outdoors has become a monthly ritual that has profoundly impacted ...

  • 05/01/2023
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Retiring Trails: Patching Together Refuge

Written by Chris Fairfield, ACRES Volunteer Each day people traveling on the Indiana Toll Road and Highway 827 rush by Ropchan Wildlife Refuge with minimal time to appreciate the natural setting Sam and Adeline Ropchan envisioned and provided for in this corner acreage. This glacially sculpted refuge bordering and overlooking the 1879 Lakeside Cemetery includes ...

  • 04/10/2023
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Welcome Makayla Tedder!

Hello ACRES Community! I’m excited and honored to be your new communications manager.  With over six years of experience in communications and graphic design, I’m eager to learn more about, and share with our members and community, ACRES impactful work. In a world where being human sometimes feels like an extreme sport, nature’s been a ...

  • 04/07/2023
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Volunteer Spotlight: Larry and Delilah Watson

Volunteer preserve steward Larry Watson of Wabash, Indiana, describes his service as a “win-win.” Helping to care for ACRES properties and keep the trails clear for visitors is a way for him to give back while spending time in nature. He stewards Seven Pillars Nature Preserve, Kokiwanee and Hanging Rock National Natural Landmark. “I was ...

  • 04/03/2023
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Land Acquisition Gains Momentum

We’re excited to report that 2023 will be a record-breaking year for land protection! Recent and upcoming land acquisitions total 752 acres, meaning the amount of land ACRES owns and protects is about to increase by 10 percent. These acquisitions include eight properties that are valued at $7 million. Thanks to the full donation and ...

  • 03/09/2023
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Research Update: How One Wildflower Responds to Environmental Change

In 2021, we shared the story of Emma Boehm, a doctoral student at Indiana University, who was beginning research on blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia verna). She wanted to learn how populations of the wildflower respond to environmental changes. Her research included studying a phenomenon called “phenotypic plasticity,” an ability to quickly change traits without changing the ...

  • 02/28/2023
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Planting and Nurturing Future Forests

By Ben Taylor, ACRES Project Manager Our restoration efforts are my favorite projects to coordinate at ACRES, particularly tree plantings. Since the turn of the century, ACRES has planted roughly 300,000 trees on 600 acres of land! LAYING THE GROUNDWORK Much effort goes into planning and preparing before planting. We typically plant trees in areas ...

  • 02/23/2023
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2022-2023 Winter Photo Contest Winners

This winter, we challenge you to capture photos that inspire people to value, appreciate and support the places ACRES protects. Your submissions truly reflected the wonder of these natural areas and the joy they bring visitors. We selected five winners from the following categories: Wildlife, People/Pets on Preserves, Selfie, Landscape and Macro Photo. Winners will ...

  • 01/25/2023
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A Landscape Lost to Time

By Evan Hill, Stewardship Director ACRES can make better decisions on restoring and stewarding our land when we know more about what our local landscape looked like. A book called The Fifth Annual Report Of The Geological Survey Of Indiana Made During the Year 1873 provides detailed accounts of how several counties in our service ...

  • 01/23/2023
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