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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, …

Huntertown, Ind., February 13, 2020 – ACRES Land Trust is seeking applications for two summer land management internships, generously funded by the Olive B. Cole Foundation. For ten years, ACRES interns have helped care for the organization’s ever-increasing number of permanently protected places. 2020 Land Management Summer Intern Application (PDF) “ACRES interns help fight non-native …

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 …

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 …

HUNTERTOWN, Ind., December 2, 2019 –ACRES Land Trust is launching a Capital Campaign to help build a barn and renovate the home it uses as an office. The investments will help the nonprofit care for its expanding acreage, following a period of 50 percent growth in the land it owns and protects. Founded in 1960, …

LAGRANGE, Ind., November 26, 2019 –ACRES Land Trust recently expanded its Quog Lake preserve, part of a priority conservation area south of LaGrange, by 12 acres. The property houses two historic school buildings, one of which serves a congregation that has met on the site since the mid-1800s. ACRES, Indiana’s oldest and largest local land …

Looking for stocking stuffers or special gifts for land lovers? Buy ACRES gear and show support! Shop online: acreslandtrust.org/shop or in the office. ACRES is open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm. Due to the nature of our work, we may be in the field. Please call ahead to be sure we’re here to help you. The …

ACRES’ Breakthrough Grant study, part of an initiative funded by the Foellinger Foundation, is complete. With support from the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, ACRES worked with local nonprofits to determine the feasibility of a multi-use nature development. The study offered key insights and is a great starting point should another group want to pursue it. …

Dear Land Lovers, Sketch by Mary (Dustin) Gustafson As many of you know, trees are my primary draw to nature. But I’m also fascinated by many other aspects of nature, including bogs. While my interest in trees continues to lead me to learn all I can about them, my interest in bogs takes me in …