American burnet Founders Fen newsmag winter 2023 blog post Dec 2024 res
American burnet at Founders Fen
Innovation, Flexibility, and Speed Bring Conservation Victories
Written By: John Bacone
Date Published: December 18, 2024
John Bacone
We asked our board secretary, John Bacone, to reflect on some of our most significant land protection wins of 2024.
It is always fun to look back on the valuable work CILTI has accomplished in the past year. It is especially gratifying this year, for several reasons. CILTI again protected quite a few conservation projects, and most importantly, they were high quality habitats. But perhaps more significant is the way CILTI has partnered with a range of entities to protect nature.
Often CILTI is asked to assist because a quick reaction time is needed, and we are able to provide this quick assistance. One of the most exciting of these projects was the Lowe Tract.
This site, located in Orange County, was desired by the Hoosier National Forest because of its special natural features. This site contains two pit caves, a natural bridge, a sandstone barrens, and several rare plant species. The property was for sale as part of an auction, and the US Forest Service was unable to bid on such short notice.
Fortunately, we were able to go to the auction, and prevailed. Now, this amazing site is protected for the benefit of future generations, and it will be part of the Hoosier National Forest forever.
CILTI was also happy to provide assistance to DNR’s Division of Nature Preserves, acquiring an addition to Baseline Barrens Nature Preserve in Washington County. This addition is a key expansion to lands acquired several decades ago, making the 91.5-acre preserve easier to manage and more resilient into the future.
The land hosts unusual native plants from blackjack oak to rough blazing star, and it features both limestone barrens and chert barrens. Bison may have roamed these grasslands for thousands of years. CILTI worked with the DNR to protect these acres.
Finally, Founders Fen was officially transferred to CILTI ownership this year. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) owned a portion of this high-quality fen in southeastern Hancock County. The agency had acquired it as mitigation for work being done on Interstate 70. This fen contains a number of rare plant species, including the state-endangered American burnet (Sanguisorba canadensis).
INDOT transferred this valuable parcel to CILTI under 2017 legislation that allows the agency to transfer nonmarketable land to a land trust for its perpetual care. CILTI is honored to be the first land trust to receive land under this innovative law that benefits conservation.
These three projects illustrate examples of the creativity, flexibility, and speed with which CILTI can accomplish critical land conservation.
In the coming year, look for CILTI to continue to be innovative, flexible, and quick to action. There are still many important natural areas that need to be protected, and we remain focused on this critical conservation work.
Breaking news: Just before Thanksgiving, we closed on another assist, Larimer Fen. Read about that land protection victory here.
Ben Valentine
Guest Blogger
Ben Valentine is a founding member of the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve and is active in several other conservation organizations. He leads a series of NUVO interviews with Indiana's environmental leaders, and he cherishes showing his son all the wonders of nature he grew up loving.
DJ Connors
Guest Blogger
DJ Connors, a Central Indiana native and late-to-life hunter, combines a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors with a deep passion for exploring the natural beauty of the area he has called home for most of his life. As a husband and father of three, he is committed to ensuring his children have the same opportunities to connect with nature and appreciate the outdoors in their community. DJ’s unique journey into hunting emphasizes sustainability, responsible stewardship, and the importance of preserving these experiences for future generations.
Bridget Walls
Guest Blogger
Bridget is our first ever Communications and Outreach Intern. She is a graduate of Marian University, where she combined English, studio art, and environmental sciences in her degree studies. As treasurer for Just Earth, the university's environmental club, she helped plan events encouraging a responsible relationship between people, nature, and animals.
Jordan England
Guest Blogger
Jordan England is a lifelong Shelby County resident who graduated from Waldron Jr. Sr. High School (just a few miles from Meltzer Woods!). After earning her B.S. degree in Retail Management from Purdue University, she returned to Waldron to start a family with her husband, Brian. Together they have 3 young children and enjoy sharing with them their love of the community. Jordan is the Grants and Nonprofit Relations Director at Blue River Community Foundation, managing BRCF’s grant program, providing support to local nonprofits, and promoting catalytic philanthropy in Shelby County.
Cliff Chapman
President and CEO
As CILTI’s President and CEO, Cliff keeps CILTI’s focus on good science and stewardship. He’s mindful that the natural places you love took thousands of years to evolve and could be destroyed in a single day, and that knowledge drives his dedication to their protection.
Stacy Cachules
Chief Operating Officer
Among her many key duties as Assistant Director, Stacy has the critical task of tracking our budget, making sure we channel donations for maximum efficiency. When her workday’s done, Stacy loves to spend time with her two young boys—and when not traveling, she’s likely planning the next travel adventure.
Ryan Fuhrmann
Vice Chair
Ryan C. Fuhrmann, CFA, is President and founder of Fuhrmann Capital LLC, an Indiana-based investment management firm focused on portfolio management. Ryan’s interest in land conservation centers around a desire to help preserve natural habitats for wildlife and the subsequent benefits it brings to people and the environment.
Joanna Nixon
Board Member
Joanna Nixon is the owner of Nixon Consulting, an Indianapolis-based strategy and project management firm focused on the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as the Philanthropic Advisor for the Efroymson Family Fund. Prior to opening her consulting practice in 2000, Joanna was vice-president for grantmaking at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Joanna has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and arts and culture sector. She is passionate about the environment and loves bringing big ideas to life and creating high-quality arts and culture programs and experiences. Joanna enjoys outdoor adventures, including competing in fitness obstacle course races and hiking with her high energy Australian Cattle Dog, Jackson.
Karen Wade
Board Member
Before retiring, CILTI board member Karen Wade worked for Eli Lilly & Co. In retirement she volunteers for a number of organizations, including the Indiana Master Naturalist program, Johnson County Native Plant Partnership CISMA, Meadowstone Therapeutic Riding Center, and Leadership Johnson County.
David Barickman
Development Systems Manager
Born and raised in Central Illinois, David spent many days as a child wandering around the river, forest and lakes there. He works behind the scenes as a key member of our fundraising team. When not working, David loves to be outdoors hiking, fly fishing, kayaking or woodworking.
Jamison Hutchins
Stewardship Director
Jamison leads our stewardship team in caring for the land that is so important to you. He comes to our team after eight years as Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the city of Indianapolis, where his work had a positive impact from both health and environmental perspectives.
Jen Schmits Thomas
Media Relations
An award-winning communicator and recognized leader in Central Indiana’s public relations community, Jen helps us tell our story in the media. She is the founder of JTPR, which she and her husband John Thomas own together. She is accredited in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America, and loves to camp and hike in perfect weather conditions.
Shawndra Miller
Communications Director
Shawndra’s earliest writing projects centered around the natural world, starting when a bird inspired her to write her first “book” in elementary school. Now she is in charge of sharing our story and connecting you to our work. Through our print and online materials, she hopes to inspire your participation in protecting special places for future generations.
Phillip Weldy
Stewardship Specialist
Phillip enjoys nature’s wonders from an up-close-and-personal perspective as he works to restore the natural places you love. As an AmeriCorps member in Asheville, NC, he had his first full immersion in relatively undisturbed land while reconstructing wilderness trails in National Parks and National Forests.
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