Welcome Natasha Manor, ACRES Office and Volunteer Manager

“My appreciation and passion for natural places did not take hold until adulthood.  I was not an outdoorsy child or adolescent! I think my love of nature began with plants, indoors.  My mother has always been a collector and committed caretaker of houseplants. She shared that hobby with my sister and me and to this day, when we get together, we talk about plants-especially flowers.  We have all since become avid gardeners and enjoy sharing bulbs, seeds and advice.

In my early twenties, I moved from northeastern Indiana to Washington State.  It was then that I began hiking. I was wild about the enormous ferns and moss drenched forests of the Pacific Northwest.  I would seek out new city, state and national parks to visit and hit the trails. I found that spending time in natural places filled me with a deep sense of awe and joy that I did not experience elsewhere.

When I moved back to Indiana a few years later, I began seeking out parks and nature preserves to continue hiking and developed a deeper appreciation for Midwestern forests.  I later found out about ACRES sites. ACRES preserves have provided me with unique areas to hike and practice some amateur plant identification. I love to take enough time on a hike to find a wildflower or fungus and snap some photos.  I especially enjoy the wildflower show at Bicentennial Woods each spring!

My professional background is in accounting and human resources and I have worked in the industries of construction and higher education.  I am committed to using my skills and experience to help keep Acres Land Trust operating smoothly and efficiently to protect land, forever.”

-Natasha Manor, ACRES Land Trust Office and Volunteer Manager