First nature preserve purchased through state conservation effort
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Indiana will begin to permanently protect 570 acres of undisturbed forests in Putnam County through the Next Level Conservation Trust in a new partnership with the Central Indiana Land Trust. Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office said Friday the organization has now purchased its first land to be protected.
Fern Station Nature Preserve was the first finalized property purchase through the NLCT.
Located west of Greencastle, CILT now owns the property thanks to a 3:1 state partner match with $3.1 million from the NLCT and $1 million from CILT donors.
“Through this first investment from the Next Level Conservation Trust, we are preserving land not just for today, but for generations of future Hoosiers to enjoy, protecting habitats and promoting quality of life,” Holcomb said in a news release.
The land features white oak, beech and hickory trees, ravines that support a wide variety of ferns, and is home to many rare species, including the cerulean, worm-eating and hooded warbler, broad-winged hawk, and Eastern box turtle.
As required through the partnership, CILT will create more opportunities for outdoor recreation at the park.
“This property has been on our wish list since first exploring it in 2008 because of its size, pristine condition and rich biodiversity,” said Cliff Chapman, Central Indiana Land Trust president and CEO. “Plus, it’s near another protected property – Fern Cliff Nature Preserve. Anytime you increase the critical mass of protected land, you provide a safer place for wildlife and plants to thrive.”
The NLCT has $25 million in funding, which is the largest amount given in the state’s history for conservation. The Indiana General Assembly appropriated funds from the federal American Rescue Plan for the trust.