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.

 

FOREST BATHING FOR MEMBERS

Tuesday, May 23, 6 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748

Spring clean your senses!

Come see what Forest Bathing is all about – no soap required. Join Christy Thomson, Indiana’s only certified forest therapist, for fun, simple activities to refresh your connection to the natural world.

Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273.


WILDFLOWER & GEOLOGY HIKE FOR MEMBERS

Saturday, May 27, 3 – 5 pm
NOBLE COUNTY | Lloyd W. Bender Memorial Forest
1891 N. River Road W, Albion, IN 46701

Bender’s wet, diverse terrain is rich.

Here, you’ll find multiple habitats as well as wildflowers that you won’t see in many other ACRES preserves: American Columbo, Green Dragon, Yellow Water Butter Cup, Tufted Loosestrife, and American Gromwell. You’ll also see wildflowers that are common to other ACRES preserves.

Hosted by John J. Smith and Tony Fleming. RSVP to outreach@acreslandtrust.org or 260-637-2273.

Photo by Jay Solomon

SHARE THE TRAILS

Saturday, June 3, 10 am
STEUBEN COUNTY | Robb Hidden Canyon
425 Lane 201, Ball Lake, Hamilton, IN 46742

Celebrate National Trails Day! Explore trails through steep, wooded ravines and views from the grassy meadow overlooking Ball Lake.

 

THE MATCHSELLERS BARN CONCERT

Thursday, June 8, 6 – 8 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve, Dustin Barn
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN; The Barn entrance is east of the main drive

Celebrate protected land with world class hillbilly music, deeply rooted in bluegrass with a mix of old time tradition. Bring your own refreshments. Free concert. Donations to ACRES encouraged.

MIDNIGHT MOON MEANDER

Friday, June 9, 11:59 pm
WABASH COUNTY | Kokiwanee
5825 E. 50 S., Lagro, IN 46941

It’s late! The nightlife and full-moon-lit waterfalls of this incredible place will be well worth your lost sleep. Come make some moon shadows with us.

Presented by the Kissel family.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER

Thursday, June 15, 6 – 8 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve, Dustin Barn
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748; The Barn entrance is east of the main drive

All volunteers welcome. Spend some time getting to know new and seasoned volunteers as we celebrate your efforts and show our appreciation of your time and talents. Dinner compliments of ACRES’ staff. RSVP by June 8 to [email protected] or call 260-637-2273, ext 4.

Photo by Dave Brumm

SUMMER BARN CONCERT FOR MEMBERS

Thursday, June 22, 6 – 9 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve, Dustin Barn
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748; The Barn entrance is east of the main drive

Members, gather to enjoy a summer evening in the barn with great company, good food and drinks and the lively sounds of local band, The Distractions. Made possible by the Edward D. and Ione Auer Foundation. Hosted by Nancy and Joe Conrad.

DEEP LISTENING FOR MEMBERS

Saturday, June 24, 10 am – 1 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748

Deep Listening explores the difference between involuntary hearing and the voluntary, selective act of listening. Participants will practice different methods of listening, or sonic meditations, experiencing the preserves in rich, wild and surprising ways. Sessions are introductory and standalone. Presented by Brett Bloom, Deep Listening facilitator.

RSVP to [email protected] or call the office at 260-637-2273.

SHARE THE TRAILS

Saturday, July 1, 10 am
JAY COUNTY | Bibler Nature Preserve
5504 S. 400 E., Portland, IN 47371

Once part of a homestead called Spring Brook Farm, this preserve has once-cultivated farm fields, as well as grasslands and second-growth woods of oak, hickory and maple.

DEEP LISTENING FOR MEMBERS

Saturday, July 29, 10 am – 1 pm
WABASH COUNTY | Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run
1866 E. Baumbauer Road, Wabash, IN 46992

Deep Listening explores the difference between involuntary hearing and the voluntary, selective act of listening. Participants will practice different methods of listening, or sonic meditations, experiencing the preserves in rich, wild and surprising ways. Sessions are introductory and standalone. Presented by Brett Bloom, Deep Listening facilitator.

RSVP to [email protected] or call the office at 260-637-2273.

SHARE THE TRAILS

Saturday, August 5, 10 am
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY | Bock Nature Preserve
11630 S. SR 14, Akron, OH 46910

Enjoy tall-grass prairie plants and a beech/maple forest with tulip, sycamore, black cherry and blue ash.

CREEK STOMP IX

Saturday, August 5, 10 am
WABASH COUNTY | Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run
1866 E. Baumbauer Road, Wabash, IN 46992

It’s that time again—time for your exclusive invitation to explore this amazing gorge off trail. You’ll get up-close-and-personal with leeches, pinching crayfish, biting mosquitoes, fossils, waterfalls, cliffs, minnows, salamanders, and — if we are lucky—a snake or two.

Presented by the Kissel family

200-YEAR ECOLOGICAL REFLECTION KICKOFF PARTY

Saturday, August 12, 2 pm
STEUBEN COUNTY | Wing Haven
180 W 400 N, Angola, IN 46703

Celebrate the kickoff of a 200-year study of Wing Haven through both art and science. Learn about Ecological Reflection, participate in hands-on activities, and enjoy the musical musings of The Goat’s Beards — “a dynamic and ornery duo featuring fiddle, banjo and guitar.” Learn more about this 200-year project online.

VICTORY NOLL TALK & WALK FOR MEMBERS

Saturday, August 19, 10 am
HUNTINGTON COUNTY | Victory Noll Acres
1900 W. Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750; Meet at the Administration Building

Explore land that is not yet open to the public. Learn about the land ethic of Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters from a discussion with Sister Ginger Downey and Jason Kissel. Then, tour the Victory Noll campus, followed by a walk through the forests and fields of Victory Noll Acres.

DEEP LISTENING FOR MEMBERS

Saturday, August 26, 10 am – 1 pm
NOBLE COUNTY | Edna W. Spurgeon Woodland Reserve
9478 N. 600 W., Ligonier, IN 46767

Deep Listening explores the difference between involuntary hearing and the voluntary, selective act of listening. Participants will practice different methods of listening, or sonic meditations, experiencing the preserves in rich, wild and surprising ways. Sessions are introductory and standalone. Presented by Brett Bloom, Deep Listening facilitator.

RSVP to [email protected] or call the office at 260-637-2273.

16TH ANNUAL WING HAVEN CANOE TRIP FOR MEMBERS

Saturday, September 9, 2 – 5 pm
STEUBEN COUNTY | Wing Haven
180 W 400 N, Angola, IN 46703

Relax as you paddle Seven Sisters Lakes, then enjoy a light meal and social time with other ACRES members. Bring your own canoe or kayak — we’ll provide the meal.

RSVP to Heather Barth by September 1 at 260-637-2273, ext. 5 or [email protected]

 

 

 

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!