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Ahoy, bird-lovers! Did ya bird blitz with ACRES last week? If you were perched in a preserve, binoculars fervently scanning the canopy, the brush, or waterside for a tail, a flutter, even a hint of feathered frenzy, you were not alone. Logo by Yonder Clothing Co. 76 volunteer backyard birders and life-long bird watchers pitched …

With support from a $500,000 bequest, ACRES recently expanded its land management efforts, adding a second full-time specialist to the team that cares for the nonprofit’s seven thousand-and-growing acres. The bequest, from the estate of Patricia Barrett, adds to ACRES’ land management endowment, a fund established by Patricia’s husband, the late James W. Barrett, III, …

Inspired by generations of family history, two families recently donated their adjacent land and lake to ACRES Land Trust for permanent protection. Little Lake, just west of Albion, served as outdoor haven to two generations of the Richman family who owned the north portion and to three generations of Tiptons who owned the south portion. …

Fund Development Director Heather Barth cuts the silvery branches of Autumn Olive on a staff workday. Don’t let her fool you, this is tough work.  Are you looking for a rewarding service project on the land? ACRES is putting out a new call for help. Last year, volunteers started the process of completely removing Autumn …

It comes with much joy and sadness that I am leaving the staff of ACRES. The past nine years have been fun, challenging and rewarding. I was blessed to work with some amazing people over the years. Amazing staff members who made me laugh and cry through good times and bad, but at the end …

Scarlet Tanager photo by Dave Fox The registration deadline is swiftly approaching for ACRES Land Trust’s 2nd Annual Bird Blitz, to be held June 3-9. ACRES Land Trust welcomes backyard bird-watchers and avid birders alike to register by May 18 to participate at acreslandtrust.org/birdblitz. This year, to encourage new birdwatchers, ACRES partnered with regional Audubon …

A stunningly unique habitat of native, endangered species flourishes on ACRES Land Trust’s recent acquisition eight miles southeast of LaGrange. The 102-acre Grass Lake property contains a marl prairie – an unusual mix of acid-hungry plants and basic soil-loving plants growing heartily atop the limestone-rich sand and gravel. Some say the marl is almost 30 …

Bloodroot by Shane Perfect The curtain is going up on the greatest show on earth. Its nature’s display of spring wildflowers. And we have ringside seats, because the most beautiful display of spring wildflowers in the world is found in the American Midwest. Actually the curtain parted over a month ago, but few people recognized …

Celebrate the preserves and have fun helping ACRES track bird species. You’re invited to count birds, either as an individual or on a team, on any ACRES preserve from June 3 – June 9. Register here: acreslandtrust.org/birdblitz by Friday, May 18.   New for 2018 New to birding? If you’re looking for pointers before blitzing, enjoy a Birding …

Something life-changing happened to Indiana native Kevin McKelvey in 2006 in Costa Rica. After a frustrating search for an elusive bird, he returned to the United States with a new perspective on wildlife, people, and place. Enjoy McKelvey’s fascinating tale as part of the backstory of ACRES’ 200-year Ecological Reflections initiative at Wing Haven Preserve. …