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.
Social distancing (keeping at least 6-feet of distance between individuals at all times) will be implemented at all events. PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU FEEL ILL or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19
Please check this page or contact the ACRES office to check the status of an event:
260-637-2273
[email protected]
The ACRES office will be open in a limited capacity. Staff will be on hand to assist you from 9 am to 4 pm. Please wear a mask to enter the office. We have some available for use if you need one.
Maps and water will be left outside the door. If you’re stopping by to make a donation or purchase merchandise, please ring the doorbell and someone will come out to help you.
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.
Saturday, September 5, 10 am
ALLEN COUNTY | Mengerson Nature Reserve
5895 Stellhorn Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815
Join ACRES volunteers on a casual, easy-going group hike through this forested wetland. Free to the public, donations encouraged.
Thursday, September 17, 9 – 11 am
PAULDING COUNTY | Black Swamp Audubon Sanctuary
Address available with RSVP
Join ACRES for a one-hour hike through Black Swamp Audubon Sanctuary, a property normally closed to the public. Gather in nature’s gold via blooms, birds, bees and butterflies. We will walk this mixed landscape of woods, meadow and wetland to find six types of goldenrod, prairie plants, visiting warblers and possible sightings of turkey and deer. Afterward, you are invited for a treat-yourself stop at the Genesis House in nearby Antwerp, Ohio, for some excellent brew or light snacks.
Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273 by September 15.
Sunday, September 20, 3:30 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Mackel Nature Preserve along Cedar Creek
Address available with RSVP
Listen! Do you hear the noises of the fall season? Brett Bloom will help you explore the sense of sound as you hike through the Mackel woods, a preserve closed to the public.
Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273 by September 17.
Saturday, October 3, 10 am – 12 pm
STEUBEN COUNTY | Brammall and Richard Bruner Nature Preserves
2630 E. US Highway 20, Angola, IN 46703
Help ACRES remove shredded tires and debris from the trails this fall. Gloves and bags provided.
Space is limited. RSVP to Natasha Manor at [email protected] acreslandtrust.org or 260-637-2273 ext. 4 by October 8.
Saturday, October 10, 10 am
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 state dedicated 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. The event will conclude with a brief walk to the pond.
This preserve is closed and has no trails. Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273 by October 8. Read more about Perfect Lake.
Saturday, October 17, 1 – 4 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Emanuel M. Popp Nature Preserve
12129 Tonkel Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46845
An afternoon of hiking in this mature forest open only once a year for ACRES members. Light refreshments provided.
Presented by Larry Biggerstaff, Popp caretaker.
Saturday, October 24, 10 am – 12:30 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Fogwell Forest
9630 Whippoorwill Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Join ACRES Land Management Specialist Evan Hill, along with other volunteers, for a workday to help harvest prairie grass seeds. No prior experience necessary. The event will begin with a short introduction to grass identification and harvesting techniques. Seeds will be used for upcoming restoration projects on other ACRES properties. All equipment will be provided.
Space is limited. RSVP to Evan Hill at [email protected] or 260-637-2273 ext. 3 by October 22.
Tuesday, November 17, 10 – 11:30 am
HUNTINGTON COUNTY | Pehkokia Woods
1570 Flaxmill Road, Huntington, IN 46750
Join ACRES on a group hike through protected forest to celebrate National Take a Hike Day!
Saturday, November 21, 1 – 3 pm
HILLSDALE COUNTY | Kauffman Nature Sanctuary
Parking lot is just west of 13211 Beecher Road, Hudson, MI
Join us in celebrating ACRES first Michigan property, Kauffman Nature Sanctuary. Acquired in winter 2019, this 78 acre preserve features wetlands, grasslands, forests and a headwater stream. Come anytime between 1 – 3 pm to chat with staff and explore a new trail system!
Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273 by November 19. Read more about this acquisition.
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!
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Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run
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