In addition to providing more than 70 miles of trails open dawn to dusk, ACRES offers a variety of hikes & events throughout our region, all year long.
ACRES events are held rain or shine, sleet or snow. We love sharing the natural world with you in all seasons.
Bock Nature Preserve
Saturday, September 8, 10 am
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY | Bock Nature Preserve
11630 S. SR 14, Akron, IN 469
Share the Trails hikes are non-interpretive walks in ACRES preserves. These casual, easy-going, social outings welcome new folks to the trails and to ACRES. Free to the public, donations encouraged.
Sunday, September 16, 1 pm
JAY/ADAMS COUNTIES | Bibler Nature Preserve
5504 S. 400 E. Portland, IN 47371
From Bibler, caravan to Madison Township School Nature Preserve, then 40 minutes north to Munro Nature Preserve. End your afternoon at the Gene Stratton Porter site in Geneva for the last-half of their (free) Bluegrass Jamboree.
Sunday, October 28, 1 pm
HUNTINGTON COUNTY | Pehkokia Woods
1570 Flaxmill Road Huntington, IN 46750
From Pehkokia, caravan to Tel-Hy, then to Victory Noll Acres, a closed preserve.
Free to the public, donations encouraged. Fast-paced, multi-preserve hikes, caravanning with ACRES volunteer, Janelle.
Join Kelly Shepherd, Outreach team member, for 1-hour walks followed by “treat yourself” stops at local coffee, pie or soda shops. Tour the region’s finest with good company.
Wednesday, September 12, 9 am
ALLEN COUNTY | Blue Cast Springs
21412 Bluecast Road, Woodburn, IN 46797
Followed by coffee and a slice of pie at Bob’s Restaurant in Woodburn
Wednesday, October 10, 9 am
ALLEN COUNTY | Fogwell Forest
9630 Whippoorwill Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Followed by a coffee stop at Mocha Lounge on Covington Road, Fort Wayne
Wednesday, November 14, 9 am
DEKALB COUNTY | James P. Covell Nature Preserve
Approximately 2727 County Road 52, Auburn IN, 46706
Followed by a coffee stop at Jeremiah’s Brewed Awakenings in Auburn
Thursday, September 13, 6 pm
WABASH COUNTY | Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run
1866 E. Baumbauer Road, Wabash, IN 46992
Spend an evening fighting autumn olive in the young forest of the front field. Tools will be available, but feel free to bring along your gloves, favorite (unmotorized) tool of destruction, and anything else you find useful when cutting brush. Presented by Jason Kissel.
Saturday, November 3, 10 am
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
Invest some sweat equity on the land you love: help fight Autumn Olive. Tools and gloves will be available, but feel free to bring your own.
Trail Stories and S’mores! Tyke Hike
Saturday, October 13, 6 pm
WABASH COUNTY | Mary Thornton Nature Preserve
1541 E. 300 N., Wabash, IN 46992
Stroll through an autumn forest, stopping for nature-themed story books. Make your own s’mores at a campfire after your hike. All ages welcome; geared toward young children. Presented by the Kissel Family.
Saturday, October 13, 1 – 4 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Emanuel M. Popp Nature Preserve
12129 Tonkel Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46845
Campfire hotdogs, refreshments, cabin tours and hiking in this old-growth forest open only once a year. Presented by Larry Biggerstaff, Popp caretaker.
Hike Leader Seminar
Saturday, October 13, 3 – 4:30 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Emanuel M. Popp Nature Preserve
12129 Tonkel Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46845
ACRES hike leader volunteers, let’s hit the trails of this closed to the public preserve to practice simple photography skills and share tips and tricks for leading hikes. New volunteers welcome. RSVP to Kelly Shepherd at [email protected].
Sunday, October 21, 1 – 4 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve, Dustin Barn
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
Parking and activities at the Dustin Barn, located east of the main drive
Fun for all ages! Members gather once a year for a state-of-the-organization update and to celebrate protecting local land. Enjoy a meal and activities including hikes, Cornhole and a nature-themed craft. Music by Ken Jehle. Food by Feders Meats, beer by LaOtto Brewing, ice cream by Sweet Sanity. Meal and meeting at 1 pm, activities to follow. For tickets ($10/person, children 10 and under free), call 260-637-2273 or buy online at acreslandtrust.org/annualpicnic.
As a benefit of membership, you can vote at the Annual Meeting for Board of Director nominees and to amend the Articles of Incorporation. 2018 Nominees returning are: Steve Hammer, Ashley Motia, Dawn Ritchie and David Schnepp; new are Wayne Shive and Jerry Sweeten. Complete nominee bios and details regarding the Articles of Incorporation amendments are online at acreslandtrust.org/vote
Saturday, November 17, 10 am – 4 pm
NORTHERN INDIANA | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
It’s a seven-preserve swift grand tour trail celebration! From Dustin, caravan to Bicentennial Woods, Robb Hidden Canyon, Wing Haven, Ropchan Memorial, Fawn River Nature Preserve and Lonidaw.
Fuel up your vehicle for this extended caravan! Pack a sack lunch for a stopover in the cabin at Wing Haven. Participants will make a caravan/carpool plan at Dustin. If you choose to carpool for the full grand tour, you’ll return to Dustin after 4 pm. Otherwise, the day concludes by 4 pm at Lonidaw.
Saturday, November 17, 1 – 4 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
Create a “Take a Hike” pennant and trail mix, then hit the trails! Guided hikes at 2 pm and 3 pm. Hosted by Kelly Shepherd.
In addition to our public hikes & events, we also offer guided hikes and presentations to private groups. From youth groups, to senior clubs, we’d love to share the trails and our story with you and your group!
Featured Preserve
Wing Haven
By the Numbers
600+
acres of working land protected
Take Action
Protect More Land
Join ACRES
Save Your Land
Your Stories
Connie & Steve Richie
