The majority of ACRES’ privately-owned properties are closed to the public for their protection, keeping our nonprofit’s resources aligned with our mission to protect land, forever. ACRES Land Trust offers more trails per protected acre than the majority of land trusts we surveyed. Read more about our trail philosophy on our blog.
ACRES members support trails on over 50 trail systems, open dawn to dusk daily, at no charge, to inspire you to join us in preserving natural places. ACRES is not a recreational nonprofit; we are a preservation organization that offers trails. By offering trails, ACRES shows visitors their spectacular local natural places, so you may notice, be awed and be inspired to take action.
Nothing speaks more clearly about the value of a natural area than your own direct experience of it. From this, you can infer the value of protecting places. We offer trails to engage you in our work.
By all means, enjoy the trails ACRES members make available. And then, join us. The ACRES mission is big. Protecting, restoring and managing local land forever requires focus, commitment and renewing support from an ever-growing circle of people who value natural places.
Follow these rules to allow the preserve’s plants, wildlife and natural formations to thrive here, in place, for generations:
Open Dawn Til Dusk
Foot Traffic Only
Dogs Allowed, Always On Leash
Take Nothing, Leave Nothing
Stay On The Trails
Download Comprehensive ACRES Preserve Rules (PDF)
Why does ACRES exist?
ACRES provides individuals, families and communities a unique service in our way of treating land. Our service to the community is in leaving our privately-owned lands alone. When we do manage land, our goal is to work with a light touch, to remove past human disturbances. It is unusual to manage land in this way.
ACRES was formed because our founders were rebellious enough to take action for the intrinsic value of natural places. This is not conventional; it is, however, essential to healthy communities that natural places thrive.
What is a nature preserve? How is it different from a park?
A nature preserve is a protected place where plants, animals and natural features remain, undisturbed. ACRES preserves deepen visitors’ understanding, appreciation and connection to nature. ACRES nature preserves offer experiences in the natural world where flora and fauna will continue to live and die, in place, for generations.
Why do I need to stay on trail?
You need to stay on the trails to help protect the plant, animal and even microbial communities in the preserves. By staying on trails, you also help prevent the spread of non-native invasive species.
Science doesn’t yet fully understand the value of leaving natural systems undisturbed, but we know enough to realize that there is great benefit in keeping some places wild. Our founders called the preserves “Living Museums,” places where you can visit, observe and marvel. They will always change; they will always be protected.
Why are some trail connections fenced?
ACRES closes trails for a variety of reasons; the fences are meant to keep visitors out of an area. Some closures are short-term temporary, others are longer-term and rarely, ACRES closes trails permanently.
Often, we close lengths of trails to protect sensitive habitat, reduce or prevent erosion, for safety while we’re working (note: we may not always be present to be “working” in an area; some projects take return visits.) Other times ACRES closes trails to reduce pressure (foot-traffic or use) on the preserve.
Our intent is to show visitors the most spectacular places within a preserve by taking you there on the trail system. Please, stay on the trails.
What do I need to know before walking through an ACRES preserve?
Other than our simple rules, you don’t need to know much! In fact, much of the time, you’ll be able to follow the trail back to your car without any outside information or guidance.
This blog post offers guidance on:
What are ACRES trail conditions?
ACRES trails are natural; they aren’t paved or altered in any way other than the disturbance it takes to clear the path and keep it trimmed. We mow preserves about once a month in the growing season. Depending on when you visit between our work days, you may encounter tall grass.
Our team is not aware of trail conditions for all 50 of our trails systems all the time. Your best guide is local conditions; if it has been rainy, trails will be muddy. If lawn grasses are growing quickly, the same will be true in our preserves.
Do I need to be a member to hike?
Nope. ACRES trails are free for everyone and open from dawn dusk, thanks to member support! If you want to be a part of this community protecting land, you can become a member and enjoy the many benefits of preservation: pride, joy, exclusive invitations to closed preserves and more.
A tree is down across the trail. What should I do?
Can you step over it? Keep on trekking. ACRES staff or volunteers will remove it during their next monthly visit if necessary.
Is it a large tree, making the trail impassable or dangerous? Please let us know. If you can take a photo and share your location this helps ACRES prioritize trail system maintenance. Thank you!
Can I run on the trails?
Yes! The trails provide excellent natural running paths. You might appreciate the cooler temperatures provided by a forest canopy during hotter seasons. The preserves also provide you the opportunity to engage all your senses in scenery that is always changing – on land that is thriving with life. Please be considerate of other preserve visitors.
Can I bring my school classroom, youth group, family nature club or walking group to the preserve? Can we host our own event?
Yes! You are encouraged to use the preserves as venues for your non-commercial group activity. Simply follow the comprehensive list of ACRES preserve rules and allow preserve visitors not associated with your group access to the trails and parking during your outing.
Please contact ACRES for commercial use inquiries: 260-637-2273 or [email protected]. Generally speaking, commercial use is prohibited. Commercial uses that promote conservation may be reviewed; Indiana state law prohibits commercial use in our state-dedicated nature preserves.
Why do dogs always need to be on a leash?
Your dogs need to always be on leash not only to protect the plant and animal communities in the preserves, but also to ensure other preserve visitors feel safe.
Why don’t the trails go through an entire preserve? Why can’t I see the bog and rare plants at Spring Lake Woods and Bog?
Our job is to protect these sensitive areas. Trails are offered in support of preservation and trail systems must balance your experience with our mission to protect natural areas.
At Spring Lake Woods and Bog, in particular, the bog is inaccessible and sensitive. The bog ground is not solid, making trail construction expensive, difficult and, most importantly, disruptive to the natural community that ACRES protects there.
You will find an accessible example of a bog at Glennwood Nature Preserve in Kosciusko County.
Why can’t I hike on all the ACRES properties? Why are some closed?
Though ACRES offers over 50 trails systems, open dawn to dusk at no charge to visitors, this service is a small part of our work.
ACRES Land Trust members, donors and supporters invest in our promise to protect these natural places – forever. Trails support our mission, helping folks enjoy the benefits of nature and inviting preserve visitors like you to invest in helping to protect them.
Our general philosophy is that opening new trails is an exception that would require careful consideration. That said, there are sometimes specific reasons that some properties remain closed.
Does ACRES compete or cooperate with Little River Wetland Project, The Nature Conservancy or other natural resource groups?
ACRES Land Trust and each of these organizations are separate nonprofits with shared values, strong ties, and distinct missions. Our organizations work together to benefit our community’s appreciation and understanding of natural areas, to share knowledge, and to complement each other’s skill sets, priorities and missions.
How does ACRES protect land?
Once ACRES Land Trust protects a property, our name will always remain on the deed, guaranteeing its permanent protection.
ACRES does everything possible to ensure permanent protection within the current legal framework of private land ownership law. Our founders wrote and helped introduce Indiana’s Nature Preserve Act established in 1967 to extend protection to preserves throughout the state.
Today, thanks to your generous support, dividends from the ACRES endowment now provide the financial sustainability to ensure that we can protect these properties – forever. A conservative draw on dividends earned on our endowment will pay necessary assessments, drainage taxes and fees on the properties we currently own.
ACRES protects land in three categories: Nature Preserves, Protected Lands, and Transferable Properties. Learn more about ACRES Land Trust’s Categories (PDF)
How does ACRES manage land?
When you observe how natural systems change with human disturbance, you can appreciate why ACRES attempts to limit our own management.
ACRES aims to minimally disturb the land we manage; we actively manage non-native invasive plants by 1) focusing on major threats and 2) focusing on specific places over a period of time. This approach allows us to see success in letting native plants and/or diversity re-establish and gain a stronghold before we move on to manage another place.
What’s unique about our approach in the community, is that we aren’t managing the preserves for profit. ACRES does not manage a natural place for its profitability. We don’t plant trees based on their market value; we don’t try to grow them straight or cut them down before they are too large. Trees on ACRES preserves will die in place and rot, continuing to serve the system. It’s an uncommon approach – and why we exist.
ACRES Land Trust is one of few land owners managing land this way in the long term.
How is ACRES funded?
As a nonprofit organization, ACRES is funded primarily through your private donations. Your gifts and contributions of all sizes join together with those of others, protecting these special places in perpetuity.
People protect land for a variety of reasons; community conservation serves many and meets many goals. Check out our Deep Map for more.
ACRES receives generous support from our region’s community foundations, local private foundations and major donors.
How can I help?
We’re so glad you asked! ACRES invites you to take action for what you value.
Featured Preserve
Hathaway Preserve at Ross Run
By the Numbers
150+
volunteers worked 2,500 hours in the field, office and on the trails
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