ACRES Expands Nature Preserve Near Warsaw

Wildwood nature preserve in Kosckiusko County (photo courtesy of ACRES Land Trust)

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Neighbors are to thank for the latest addition to ACRES Land Trust south of Warsaw. Tenant farmers Roger and Carla Wagoner recently purchased 80 acres on the east side of the Wildwood nature preserve, which includes 19 acres the couple donated to allow the trust to enclose the preserve’s small pond.

The newly donated 19 acres of woods has been forested since at least 1938, and was the last piece to ensure the pond would be enclosed.

“Although the pond is man-made, it has been established long enough to exhibit fairly stable ecologic functions,” says Casey Jones, director of land management. Prior to our ownership, someone could have negatively impacted its ecosystem on the other end of the pond.”

The Wildwood preserve adds to the 238 acre conservation area the land trust bought from Bob and Alice Frantz in 2002.