Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve

Overview

Part of the Long Ridge conservation area, Meyer Nature Preserve’s steep slopes, ridges and valleys offer a dramatic hike through a large forest block unbroken by roads. Its forest interior habitat shelters rare native species like hooded and worm-eating warblers, Eastern box turtle, and the state-endangered cerulean warbler.

Plants characteristic of the acidic, sharply drained soil of the ridges are chestnut oak, black oak, pignut hickory, greenbriar, and star chickweed. American beech, red oak, white ash, painted sedge, yellow trout lily, and bloodroot are found in the more protected ravines of this beautiful state-dedicated nature preserve.

History of the Property

The purchase of this special property was made possible by a significant donation from Bob Meyer and his family, with additional support from the Indiana Heritage Trust. Bob’s father, Fred Meyer, was instrumental in getting the state’s first dedicated nature preserve established in 1969. The original 14 acres of the preserve is known as Shalom Woods. That property was donated by the Cohen family in the 1990s.

Planning your Visit

From Mooresville, head south on State Road 67 about five miles. Turn right on Observatory Road and go up the hill about half a mile. Parking is available at a small gravel parking lot on your right side. It is right before the big white house at the bend in the road.