Volunteering

In a nonprofit partnership, students and staff at Oak Farm Montessori School, near Avilla, Indiana, have partnered with ACRES for the last few years. Our first collaboration, students growing seedlings for ACRES in the school’s greenhouse, quickly blossomed into more, led by Brett Bloom. by Brett Bloom I am the Ecoliteracy Coordinator at Oak Farm …

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 …

Did you know that autumn olive was once planted by many conservationists, including Tom and Jane, to provide wildlife habitat? Today, this invasive shrub is a prime target for removal on ACRES preserves and on managed land across the U.S. Why? Because its beautiful brush (with sweetsmelling spring blooms, signature silver-backed leaves and red berries) …

“I feel like I’ve made a difference, and it’s been fun,” said Sue Diefenbach, reflecting on serving as ACRES’ recording secretary for the past 12 years. Prior to retiring from her volunteer position at the end of 2018, Sue attended 71 board meetings, taking minutes and producing a near transcript of all conversations. New board …

This semester, Trine University students enrolled in a Conservation course will help ACRES Land Trust as part of a land management immersion, focused on caring for the Beechwood, Foster and Majneri Nature Preserves, adjacent to Pokagon State Park. Students will work at the preserve 8-10 weeks, battling non-native invasive species, learning land management strategies and …

Graham Seiler took the path less traveled. Given options for volunteer work toward earning Eagle Scout status, Seiler chose to replace a slippery, weathered bridge at Bicentennial Woods near Huntertown, Indiana. Wanting something that would last—that his grandchildren might see—Graham, now a senior at Eastside Junior-Senior High School in Butler, chose steel rather than simply …

“My appreciation and passion for natural places did not take hold until adulthood.  I was not an outdoorsy child or adolescent! I think my love of nature began with plants, indoors.  My mother has always been a collector and committed caretaker of houseplants. She shared that hobby with my sister and me and to this …

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 Olive from the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve. It was a bold goal, and the work continues. With many hands, we can beat this …

ACRES Land Trust’s newest board members will govern the organization as it enters a new strategic plan: Janel Rogers of Columbia City, Bob Hake of Fort Wayne and Marc Levy, also of Fort Wayne. Not Pictured: Stan Moore of North Manchester. Non-profit organizations cannot function without dedicated, engaged board members. Giving back through board service is …

If you’ve been a member over the past year or so, you’ve seen amateur nature photographer Thomas Sprunger’s preserve photos on your new preserve announcement postcards and in your Quarterly. You see his work on ACRES’ website, and in our media releases. Thomas visits the preserves often, on his own; he also volunteers “on call” …

“Biodiversity that should be there, and has potential to be there, is lost when a non-native species takes a foothold.” While some people can walk through the woods, take in the lush, green views, and be at peace, Casey Jones, ACRES’ director of land management, isn’t one of them. His trained eye goes straight to …

74 participants have registered for ACRES’ first ever Bird Blitz! Pledge your support online HERE. 74 Bird Blitzers! That’s many teams, families, duos and individuals who will be counting birds all day long on Saturday, June 3, on ACRES preserves throughout our 32-county service area. (You can read more about Bird Blitz here) Many registered Bird …