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For staff development, relationship building … and fun! …  the ACRES staff enjoys seasonal outings for each equinox or solstice. We aim to stay close to the land and the communities we serve, so we take these days out, closing the office and hitting the road. We meet regional partners, businesses, educators, farmers, or other …

ACRES was founded in 1960 and since then has been producing the Quarterly, a much-loved seasonal publication. This article by William R. Eberly was printed in ACRES 1962 Spring Quarterly. Enjoy this archived article as we reflect back on 60 years of protecting local land. “The lakes of northern Indiana are the brightest gems in …

Spring has arrived, bringing beautiful woodland wildflowers with it. To celebrate the season, ACRES invites you to take a virtual hike with us! Retired professor and botanist Dr. Dave Hicks is joined by Jason Kissel on the trails of Kokiwanee. Hike along with them to learn more about the many species of spring flowers thriving …

2018-2019 Strategic Evaluation Findings & Updates Following a period of unprecedented growth, the ACRES Board of Directors chose to focus the 2018 – 2019 Strategic Plan on evaluation. This time of reflecting together allowed us to prepare for continued growth. Here’s what we found, and how we’ve responded. Read the full 2018-2019 Strategic Evaluation Land Management: Committing …

To expand our ability to protect and care for land, ACRES aims to grow our most transformative asset: membership Membership goals: By 2024, grow from 1,700 members to 2,400 members supporting ACRES through membership. To do this, ACRES will attract new members while keeping the vast majority of today’s supporters. Membership levels are now simplified: …

Happy 60th Anniversary ACRES Land Trust! ACRES was incorporated on March 2, 1960, becoming Indiana’s oldest and largest local land trust. ACRES’ 12 founders became our first members, with goal of preserving land – forever. Read more on ACRES history Today, thanks to member support, ACRES and the places we protect together continue to thrive How …

ACRES founders spelled out, in a detailed half-page statement, how our mission would be achieved. Today, with 60 years of history, the ACRES mission statement has been refreshed to clarify the essentials of our original mission. ACRES Land Trust owns and protects natural and working lands, inspiring people to value, appreciate, and support these places, …

UPDATE April 1, 2020: an additional spot is now open with no restrictions on county of residency. Huntertown, Ind., February 13, 2020 – ACRES Land Trust is seeking applications for two summer land management internships. For ten years, ACRES interns have helped care for the organization’s ever-increasing number of permanently protected places. 2020 Land Management …

As snow begins to fall, the ACRES land management crew gets ready to curl up with hot chocolate around the office fireplace where they will enter hibernation, a state of deep sleep maintained until early spring… ah…just kidding. The Land Management crew is hard at work during winter treating non-native invasive plants, managing properties and …

Many search for the right words to explain why they want to protect land, including Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, who have recently protected 138 acres with ACRES. Their search for clarity in stewarding the land of Victory Noll resulted in a documented land ethic, steeped in their spirituality. They recently shared the origins …

The trail along the north bank of Willow Creek in Bicentennial Woods has been dedicated in honor of Florence Thyrza Pauly, a native of Fort Wayne and long-time resident of Bloomington and Indianapolis. Florence’s estate was donated to ACRES Land Trust in 2018 as a tribute to the comfort and healing she found in nature. …

We did it! Last weekend ACRES held our final tire cleanup at the Walter H. and E. Marie Myers Nature Preserve on Flowers Creek. In total, with five years with volunteer, staff and intern effort, our teams have heaved 1,751 tires from this Miami County preserve. Caption, left: In 2020, warmer temperatures made for a …