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.
Thursday, May 16, 9 am
HUNTINGTON COUNTY | Pehkokia Woods
1570 Flaxmill Road, Huntington, IN 46750
Join us for a casual hike led by ACRES volunteer Angie O’Neill followed by a “treat yourself” stop for coffee at JJ Java in Huntington.
Sunday, May 19, 10 am – 4 pm
WHITLEY & NOBLE COUNTIES | RSVP for starting location
Get moving and breathing in glorious, protected places!
ACRES volunteer Janelle will lead fast-paced walks through multiple hilly preserves. This challenging and invigorating walk will introduce you to the preserves. You are welcome to drop to your own pace and leave the hike or the caravan as you need.
Space is limited. RSVP by May 15 to [email protected] or 260.637.2273.
This excursion features a caravan with stops for fast walks through: Lloyd W. Bender Memorial Forest, Edna W. Spurgeon Woodland Reserve, Ralph Gates Nature Preserve (in the DNR Crooked Lake Nature Preserve) and Evelyn and Wendell Dygert Nature Preserve for a total of about six hilly miles.
Celebrate birding and help protect land.
Sunday, June 2 – Saturday, June 8
On any open ACRES preserve, dawn to dusk
Count birds as an individual or on a team
Registration is $2 per person and includes a sticker designed by Yonder Clothing Co.
Register here: acreslandtrust.org/birdblitz
Learn more here: acreslandtrust.org/bbinfo
New to birding? Learn with a birder! Join local Audubon chapter-led Bird Blitz outings:
TIPPECANOE AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRD BLITZ OUTING
Sunday, June 2, 5:30 am
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY | Wildwood
409 E. SR 14, Silver Lake, IN 46982
Presented by Casey Jones.
STOCKBRIDGE AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRD BLITZ OUTING
Thursday, June 6, 10 am
ALLEN COUNTY | Fogwell Forest
9630 Whippoorwill Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Presented by Ed and Cynthia Powers.
MISSISSINEWA AUDUBON CLUB BIRD BLITZ OUTING
Saturday, June 8, 9 am
WABASH COUNTY | Asherwood
7496 W. SR 124, Wabash, IN 46992
ROBERT COOPER AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRD BLITZ OUTING
Saturday, June 8, 9 am
JAY COUNTY | Bibler Nature Preserve
5504 S. 400 E, Portland, IN 47371
SOUTH BEND-ELKHART AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRD BLITZ OUTING
Pending. Event details will be published as available.
Saturday, June 1, 10 am
ALLEN COUNTY | McNabb-Walter Nature Preserve
16138 Davis Road, Spencerville, IN 46788
Celebrate National Trails Day in this 192-acre, state-dedicated nature preserve. Here, ACRES members protect a picturesque high south bank of the St. Joseph River, ravines of Davis Fisher Creek and an old-growth maple woods where a maple sugar camp operated for many years. The woods have sugar maple, tulip, red and white oak, beech, ash and sycamore along relatively flat trails.
Share the Trails Hikes are free to the public, donations encouraged. These
casual, non-interpretive, volunteer-led hikes are easy-going social walks, welcoming new folks to the trails and to ACRES.
Sunday, June 2, 7 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve, Dustin Barn
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
(entrance is east of the main drive)
Members, gather to celebrate protected land with a group pleasantly stuck between years gone by and those to come. Two more performers join our pals The Matchsellers to form this four-piece string band.
Come early to hike before the show, and feel free to bring a friend and YOLCAR (your-own-lawn-chair-and-refreshments).
ACRES members, you’re encouraged to bring friends and family to members-only events.
Saturday, June 15, 10 am – 3 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
Join ACRES’ land management specialists for an in-depth look at identifying the many invasive plant species present in northeastern Indiana.
Following a cookout lunch provided by ACRES, the team will go over several methods to eradicate these plants.
Space is limited. RVSP to Evan Hill at 260-637-2273, ext. 3 or [email protected].
Friday, June 28, 7 pm
STEUBEN & LAGRANGE COUNTIES
RSVP for beginning location; hike concludes at Fawn River Nature Preserve at sunset and includes Ropchan Wildlife Sanctuary and Ropchan Memorial preserves.
Join ACRES volunteers Janelle and Larry for a fast-paced, late summer evening hike through a few northern ACRES preserves. Swift hikes are invigorating, with restful stops while driving between preserves.
Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273 by June 25 to reserve space.
Saturday, June 29, 2 pm
WABASH COUNTY | Asherwood
7496 W. SR 124, Wabash, IN 46992
Enjoy a casual walk or jog through the shaded forests and hills of Asherwood. This is not a typical 5K event with t-shirts, timing equipment, prizes, etc. but rather a chance to pursue your fitness goals with other nature lovers in a great setting. Water and restroom facilities available on site.
Thursday, July 25, 6 pm
HUNTINGTON COUNTY | Victory Noll Center, Guadalupe Room
1900 W Park Dr, Huntington, IN 46750
Review preliminary plans and provide your input into ACRES’ next strategic plan that begins in 2020.
Hosted by board president Steve Hammer and Jason Kissel.
Saturday, July 27, 8 am
NOBLE COUNTY | Art Hammer Wetlands
9706 N 125 W, Wawaka, IN 46794
Paddle a portion of the Elkhart River through this 356-acre preserve featuring a swamp forest, small lake and low wetlands, into Waldron Lake, then enjoy a light lunch. Bring your own canoe or kayak—we’ll provide the meal.
Space is limited. RSVP to Evan Hill by July 22 at 260-637-2273, ext. 3 or
[email protected]
Saturday, August 3, 3 pm
WABASH COUNTY | Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run
1866 E. Baumbauer Road, Wabash, IN 46992
This spectacular creek is o¨ limits the rest of the year, so here’s your chance: It’s once again time to get up close and personal with leeches, pinching crayfish and biting mosquitoes, fossils, waterfalls, cliffs, minnows, salamanders, and—if we are lucky—a snake or two. You’ll get wet, dirty
and inspired.
Presented by the Kissel family.
Thursday, August 8, 9 am
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin, Robert C. and Rosella C. Johnson
and Whitehurst Nature Preserves
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748
Join us for a casual hike through this 88-acre complex of meadows and woodlands followed by a “treat yourself” stop for coffee at Well Grounded Café in Huntertown.
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
Blue Cast Springs
By the Numbers
150+
volunteers worked 2,500 hours in the field, office and on the trails
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