Tom & Jane Dustin Built a Legacy
Their persistence and determination saved natural places in Indiana and across the nation.
Read Story →
Allen County, IN
For decades, ACRES Land Trust has supported willing landowners in protecting the Cedar Creek Corridor, a twenty-mile stretch of the creek from Auburn, Indiana, to its terminus into the St. Joseph River near Leo-Cedarville, Indiana.
Our office, housed in the former home of founders Tom and Jane Dustin, overlooks the creek from an 80-foot ravine in northern Allen County. This unique natural feature represents one of only three rivers designated in Indiana's Natural, Scenic and Recreational River System under the 1973 Act.
Eight preserves with trails open to the public from dawn to dusk, every day
View All Cedar Creek PreservesThe Cedar Creek Corridor supports exceptional biological diversity
Cypripedium parviflorum
Rare native orchid blooming in small clumps throughout the corridor in spring.
Penstemon canescens
Beautiful tubular flowers attracting native pollinators in early summer.
Zizia aurea
Important host plant for black swallowtail butterflies.
Ardea herodias
Active rookery with 75+ nests, protected on ACRES land.
Lontra canadensis
Returned to Cedar Creek after decades of absence, a sign of improving water quality.
Lynx rufus
Elusive predator requiring large, connected forest habitat.
Dense forest along the creek banks providing wildlife corridors and water quality protection.
Mature oak-hickory forests on the ravine slopes and uplands.
Seasonal and permanent wetlands supporting amphibians, waterfowl, and unique plant communities.
Rare remnant prairie habitats on south-facing slopes.
Their persistence and determination saved natural places in Indiana and across the nation.
Read Story →
Geologist Tony Fleming explains the dramatic landscape carved by glacial meltwater.
Read Story →
ACRES reforested 106 acres in the corridor, restoring former farmland to forest.
Read Story →Explore 10 miles of trails across 8 preserves, from easy strolls to challenging ravine hikes.
Find TrailsCanoe or kayak through the scenic corridor. Multiple access points available.
Learn MoreGuided hikes, volunteer days, and educational programs throughout the year.
See EventsHelp care for Cedar Creek through trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and more.
Get InvolvedProtecting Cedar Creek requires collaboration across organizations
Your support makes permanent protection possible. Every acre protected contributes to a healthier, more resilient natural corridor for wildlife and our community.