In addition to providing more than 50 trail systems 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.
The health and safety of our ACRES family is paramount, as is the public health of our communities.
Upcoming events (March 19 & 28, and April 11) have been cancelled. Future events will be decided at a later date.
The ACRES Office is closed due to COVID-19. We’ll see you soon. If you need to reach a staff member, please email [email protected] or call 260-637-2273 to leave a message.
Thanks to member support, our trail systems remain open 7 days a week, from dawn to dusk, at no charge. It’s no secret that spending time in nature benefits us both physically and emotionally. Feeling cooped up and stressed out? Find fresh air, peace and renewal at an ACRES preserve near you.
Ready for some fresh air? Rejuvenate yourself—and the preserves. This is a great time of year for a little spring cleaning as plants won’t be growing over litter. Gloves, bags, visibility vests and light snacks provided. Bring a friend and take yourselves on a hike afterward!
Thursday, March 5, 10 am
NOBLE COUNTY | Detering Nature Preserve
1421 Kammerer Road, Kendallville, IN 46755
Thursday, March 12, 10 am
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY | Eastlake
3010 Frontage Road, Warsaw, IN 46850
Meet behind Hansen Skating Center, where parking is available.
CANCELLED: Thursday, March 19, 10 am
DEKALB COUNTY | James P. Covell Nature Preserve
Approximately 2727 County Road 52, Auburn IN, 4670
All trail systems are still open to the public, feel free to grab a bag and do you own “clean up” as you hike!
Saturday, March 14, 9 am – noon
WABASH COUNTY | Asherwood
7496 W. SR 124, Wabash, IN 46992
Can you smell the warm pancakes and fresh-made maple syrup? Feel the cool, crisp air of the winter woods on your cheek? It’s sugar bush season and ACRES members are invited to breakfast at Asherwood!
No reservations required. $5/person, children under 5 free. Come early or stay late and explore the trails along the creek and ravines.
Saturday, March 28, 10 am – 12 pm
STEUBEN COUNTY | Brammall and Richard Bruner Nature Preserves
2630 E. US Highway 20, Angola, IN 46703
All trail systems are still open to the public, feel free to grab a bag and do you own “clean up” as you hike!
Saturday, April 11, 3:30 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Mackel Nature Preserve along Cedar Creek
This event has been cancelled, but ACRES will look into having another listening session in the future!
Saturday, April 18, 2 – 4 pm
WABASH COUNTY | Kokiwanee
5825 E. 50 S, Lagro, IN 46941
Discover the spring wildflowers and enjoy the waterfalls along the Salamonie River. This is a great way to introduce others to ACRES, so don’t forget to bring a friend!
Hosted by Dave Hicks and Jason Kissel. Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273 by April 16
Co-hosted with the Indiana Native Plant Society
Saturday, April 25, 10 – 11:30 am
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve Dustin Barn
Just east of 1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
We’ll share readings from the new children’s book, “Wake Up, Woods”, written by retired Indiana state botanist Michael Homoya, with illustrations by Bloomington artist Gillian Harris and verses by Sycamore Land Trust educator Shane Gibson.
After a few short readings, we’ll explore these woods waking up on a short walk. INPS will bring books available to purchase for $18.95 each.
Space is limited; a number of spots are reserved for INPS members. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273.
Saturday, May 2, 10 – 12 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Mengerson Nature Reserve
5895 Stellhorn Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815
Get in the spring cleaning spirit and join a nationwide movement to pick up litter in community spaces like ACRES’ urban Mengerson Nature Reserve. Gloves and bags provided.
Saturday, May 2, 1 – 3 pm
NOBLE COUNTY | Edna W. Spurgeon Woodland Reserve
9478 N. 600 W, Ligonier, IN 46767
Explore 65 acres of this state dedicated nature preserve to enjoy and learn about a variety of spring wildflowers.
Hosted by Tony Fleming and John J. Smith. Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273 by April 30.
Sunday, May 3, 2 – 4 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve Dustin Barn
Just east of 1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
NICHES Land Trust volunteer Dan Childs will present his new field guide “Into the Woods,” featuring beautiful color photographs of Midwestern flowers. Afterwards, discover and purchase Indiana native plants that are perfect for your garden or yard. Proceeds benefit ACRES.
Friday, May 8, 2020, 1 – 5 pm
MULTIPLE COUNTIES | Multiple preserves
ACRES volunteers Janelle and Larry will lead an afternoon caravan to enjoy spring wildflowers at three different preserves. This fast-paced, hilly hike totals 4.5 miles, with an overview of Evelyn and Wendell Dygert Nature Preserve, Ralph Gates Nature Preserve (in the DNR Crooked Lake Nature Preserve), and Edna W. Spurgeon Woodland Reserve.
Space is limited. For starting location, RSVP to [email protected] or call 260-637-2273 by May 1.
Saturday, May 16, 1 – 5 pm
STEUBEN COUNTY | Wing Haven
180 W. 400 N, Angola, IN 46703
Celebrate the spring season amongst the ridges and lakes of Wing Haven. Make your own trail mix and grab a drink as you enjoy music in the historic artists’ cabin. Local musician Ken Jehle and friends will present an original acoustic composition, commissioned as part of our 200 Ecological Reflections project at this preserve.
Learn more about our 200 Year project and see previously submitted work: acres200er.org
Saturday, May 30, 10 am – noon
STEUBEN COUNTY | Lee Family Perfect Lake Nature Preserve
Just north of 6500 S 100 E, Pleasant Lake, Indiana; approximately 1/3 mile north of the intersection of E 700 S; This is a closed preserve; we are parking on a neighbor’s land with permission. Much of this 84-acre property occupies a prominent esker, with vistas over a small lake.
Perfect Lake is an undeveloped lake with a marl bottom and healthy aquatic communities, marsh areas, and wetlands, including a high quality fen/sedge meadow/marl flat. There are no trails at the site. Expect soggy conditions. Hike led by State Botanist Scott Namestnik.
Limit 20 participants, RSVP online at bit.ly/DNRPerfectLakeHike by May 28.
Saturday, May 30, 12:15 pm
STEUBEN COUNTY | Lee Family Perfect Lake Nature Preserve
Just north of 6500 S 100 E, Pleasant Lake, Indiana; approximately 1/3 mile north of the intersection of E 700 S
Tom Swinford, Assistant Division Director, IDNR Division of Nature Preserves, will join land donor Federal Judge William Lee, in honoring Perfect Lake as Indiana’s 289th statededicated nature preserve. The designation provides additional protection to this land under the Indiana Nature Preserves Act of 1967. ACRES founders were instrumental in writing and working to pass this act.
A brief walk to the pond will conclude the event. This preserve is closed and has no trails. Expect soggy conditions. Read more about Perfect Lake: acreslandtrust.org/perfect
Saturday, June 6, 10 am
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY | Wildwood
409 E SR 14, Silver Lake, IN 46982
Join ACRES on a hike through protected prairie and forest to celebrate National Trails Day!
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!
By the Numbers
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acres of Cedar Creek corridor preserved with partners
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Brett Bloom and Bonnie Fortune
