Your Stories

“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 …

As 2018 comes to a close and ACRES reflects on the passing year in gratitude, it’s the people and the places we protect together that come to mind. One person, who helps us connect people with places, helps us look back. Enjoy this revitalized article on Thomas Sprunger and his photography. Enjoy, too, an incredible …

Ask any ACRES member about finding ACRES and their reasons for joining to take responsibility for the land, and you’ll most likely get responses ranging from naming other members, social media, and their own, often exceptional experiences hiking in the preserves. As part of ACRES’ strategic plan to evaluate our work, starting last winter, we …

Have you seen ACRES’ new video on protecting land? If so, then you’ve “met” a couple members of the Canino family and discovered their passion for the preserves. Janet Canino shares more about what protecting places with ACRES means—they are now life members. Why do you protect land with ACRES? ”‘If not now, when? If …

  The bridge needed some TLC. Standing on the old bridge, Graham Seiler dreams of the possibilities. 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 …

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 …

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. …

When David and Tracy Fox, the first members of the Acorn Society, talk about being forward-thinking people, they really mean forward. They’re thinking a good century out. So it’s no surprise they became life members of ACRES in 2014, and no surprise they decided they wanted to do more. “We have seen so much growth …

When Elizabeth and Mark Leppek sat down to make a list of their priorities for philanthropic giving, ACRES Land Trust immediately came to mind. The Leppeks, of Fort Wayne, say that while they appreciate the benefit of manicured parks, they find something special about wild, natural places. They consider ACRES the “hometown hero” regional equivalent …

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” …