Blog

Our executive director Jason Kissel has been in awe of land for several decades. He traces his love of natural areas back to when he was just a kid, watching his dad work with the U.S. Forest Service. Below, Jason shares his experiences with ACRES and the main threads in the stories of several of …

Why protect land forever? Culture. History. Spirituality. Health. Conservation. Adventure. Heritage. The motivations behind why folks choose to help ACRES Land Trust protect land are as numerous and varied as the species of flora and fauna on our preserves. Often, there is no singular reason why people visit our properties or become members. Our relationships …

Do you, or does someone you know walk the trails for general wellness benefits? In agreement with ACRES Land Trust, The Wilderness Element, a newly-forming nonprofit, held a clinical counseling summer camp for teens on The Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve in June. The group shared the trails as part of a two-week preparation …

In 2016, ACRES Land Trust launched quarterly staff development days in honor of seasonal changes. The ACRES Office is closed for the spring and fall equinoxes as well as for summer and winter solstices. ACRES staff use these days to explore places, build the team and discover natural wonders. Here’s the view from our 2018 …

Scott Namestnik’s eagerness to explore Quog Lake last summer was quickly replaced with trepidation. “It has to be the most challenging site on which I’ve ever conducted a survey,” he said of the ACRES Land Trust property in LaGrange County. Scott Namestnik supports ACRES’ plant species inventories. He’s leading an in-the-field Plant Workshop July 12–13. …

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 …