Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve Archives

Accessible Trail and Deck Coming Soon!

ACRES Land Trust has started work on a new accessible trail and deck at the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve in Huntertown! If you’ve visited the preserve recently, you might have noticed that a portion of the existing trail is blocked off where our stewardship team is clearing the way for a .25-mile loop ...

10/15/2021
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ACRES to host benefit concert Sept. 10

ACRES Benefit ConcertFriday, Sept. 10, 6:30-9 pmAllen County | Tom & Jane Dustin Nature Preserve1992 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748Admission: Free, donations encouraged The community is invited to enjoy an evening of live music and outdoor fun while supporting an accessible trail at the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve. ACRES will host a benefit ...

08/10/2021
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Fighting for the Forest: Volunteers battle autumn olive on the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve

Did you know that autumn olive was once planted by many conservationists, including Tom and Jane, to provide wildlife habitat? Today, this invasive shrub is a prime target for removal on ACRES preserves and on managed land across the U.S. Why? Because its beautiful brush (with sweetsmelling spring blooms, signature silver-backed leaves and red berries) ...

10/24/2019
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The long view: glimpsing forever, one day at a time

Dear friends, Since ACRES protects land forever, I often engage in conversations envisioning what natural areas will look like during the course of forever. We think about how much bigger trees will be in a hundred years, how some lakes will become bogs in a thousand years, how rivers will move. We wonder what plants and animals ...

01/17/2019
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ACRES Land Trust’s picks for leaf peeping spots in northeast Indiana this fall

Arrr, there be gold in them there hills, matey! If you’re looking for treasure this fall, look no farther than your local nature preserve. The trees are awash in golden and jewel colors. No shovel or pirate ship required. Each ACRES Land Trust preserve holds its own marvels, with unique flora and fauna, topography, and ...

10/26/2018
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Tom and Jane Dustin built a legacy from this home.

“Tom and Jane Dustin built a legacy from this home,” the bold headline at the top of the commemorative panel reads. As you stand among the tall trees, listening to the music of the preserve, you can see that legacy is thriving still today. The Dustins helped launch ACRES Land Trust. Inspired by the budding ...

10/10/2018
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Winter Fun

Others may think of cold, biting wind and want to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. No matter what winter brings this year, think about going outside and visiting an ACRES’ preserve. You can visit any of the open preserves, but parking areas at the following will be maintained ...

01/24/2018
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Winter Solstice 2017 | Staff Outing

When you serve ACRES donors and members in protecting land, you’d better spend some time walking it, wondering over it – and working it. You also need to appreciate natural cycles. In 2016, ACRES Land Trust launched quarterly staff development days in honor of seasonal changes. The ACRES Office is closed for the spring and ...

01/03/2018
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Bee happy: summer solstice in the field!

When you help ACRES donors and members protect land, you’d better spend some time walking it, wondering over it – and working it. You also need to appreciate natural cycles. Last year, ACRES Land Trust staff launched quarterly staff development days in honor of seasonal changes. The ACRES Office is closed for the spring and ...

06/22/2017
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Digging our region’s natural groove: Cedar Creek’s Tunnel Valley

You’ve probably read about the Cedar Creek Corridor, but have you stood 80 feet over the creek and wondered how this dramatic topography happened? Right here? Recently, Tony Fleming, geologist and long-time ACRES friend, shared geologic theory and evidence as we walked along the corridor’s 80-foot elevated Lanham’s Promontory overlooking Cedar Creek in the Tom and Jane ...

06/16/2017
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