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Expanding Empathy

Written by ACRES member, Joanna Stebing “To meet all things with recognition and empathy” This line from a podcast I listened to recently has stuck with me, and I think it’s a fitting way to start an article about “unloved” or underappreciated species. We might be apprehensive toward these plants and animals for a variety ...

  • 06/16/2023
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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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22 Things ACRES Supporters Made Possible in 2022

Thanks to ACRES supporters — members, volunteers, land donors and many others — we were able to achieve so much in 2022! As this year comes to an end, we want to share 22 things our supporters made possible in 2022. 1. We protected and cared for over 7,400 acres of natural and working lands ...

  • 12/29/2022
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A Closer Look at Grass Lake

Since acquiring Grass Lake in 2018, ACRES has learned about several rare and endangered species living—and thriving—here at one of our most unique nature preserves. To better understand what makes this LaGrange County property unlike anywhere else in the state of Indiana, ACRES Communications Manager Bridgett Hernandez reached out to two botanists to learn more ...

  • 10/12/2022
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ACRES completes headquarters improvements

Recent improvements to our headquarters have increased our capacity to do even more! Thanks to your generous support, ACRES is pleased to announce the completion of its headquarters expansion at the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve! The project took two years to complete and includes a newly-constructed maintenance barn, improved lane access, new signs, ...

  • 08/29/2022
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Nurturing Growth

Did you notice anything different about the summer Quarterly? It’s been 36 years since the Quarterly front cover had people on it. For this edition, we wanted to do something different and celebrate YOU! ACRES members make our mission possible. We all work together nurturing growth and protecting places we love. In this letter, ACRES ...

  • 06/10/2022
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One of Indiana’s Precious Few

By Chris Fairfield This article is part of a series highlighting preserves where ACRES will retire trails as part of our comprehensive plan to update visitor amenities at nature preserves. For a complete list of retiring trails and public access updates, visit acreslandtrust.org/raisingourstandards. Walking up the narrow entrance trail of Glennwood Nature Preserve, I anticipate something great and ...

  • 03/01/2022
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Member Spotlight: Tedra Hemingway

ACRES member and volunteer Tedra Hemingway’s fascination with nature has touched every part of her life. Some of her happiest memories have been spending time outdoors. She remembers playing in the woods all day and mushroom hunting with her family in the springtime. “When I was a child growing up, we were always outside,” she ...

  • 03/01/2022
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2021–2022 Winter Photo Contest Winners

For ACRES Winter Photo Contest, we challenged you to take to the trails and capture photos that celebrate our forever-protected places. Your submissions truly reflected the beauty of these natural areas and the joy they bring visitors. Members of ACRES board and staff selected five winners from the following categories: Wildlife, People/Pets on Preserves, Selfie, ...

  • 02/08/2022
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