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Nuthatch, by Jerry Rushton

The Land Protection Legacy

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As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to recognize some of CILTI’s unsung but most gracious heroes—the members of our Burr Oak Society. Members I am truly thankful for.

Burr Oak Society members have prioritized the future of Indiana’s natural spaces for decades to come. These generous folks have such a passion for land protection that they included CILTI in their estates and wills. Continue reading →

Stacy Cachules

Chief Operating Officer

scachules@conservingindiana.org
317.441.0535
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.
Bison at Kankakee Sands

CILTI Founder Earns Prestigious Award

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Ellen Jacquart started a career in conservation with no roadmap. While she was following her interests in higher academia, she never could have imagined that one day she would have founded a land trust, managed stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, or worked successfully to ban the sale and trade of invasive plants. Continue reading →

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

smiller@conservingindiana.org
317.370.2464
Shawndra 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.
Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve in autumn

Your Generosity Doubled our Reach!

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We are thrilled to announce that we met our match challenge grant, with the help of caring supporters like you! Thanks to your generous donations over the summer months, we received a $50,000 matching challenge grant. Our board member and friend, Stephen H. Simon, stepped up with this challenge—and you responded in a big way. Continue reading →

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

smiller@conservingindiana.org
317.370.2464
Shawndra 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.
Betley Woods at Glacier's End

Trails coming to Betley Woods at Glacier’s End Nature Preserve in Johnson County

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2022

The Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) received $239,500 of Next Level Trails funding to bring a cutting-edge project consisting of new trails and a digital interpretive app to Betley Woods at Glacier’s End Nature Preserve, which is owned by the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI).
Continue reading →

Jen Schmits Thomas

Media Relations

Jen@jtprinc.com
317-441-2487
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.
Hooded warbler

Southern Johnson County gets more protected land

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2022

The Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) has acquired 109 acres of environmentally significant forest land in southern Johnson County, resulting in a total of more than 1,500 acres in that area that is protected forever.

Continue reading →

Jen Schmits Thomas

Media Relations

Jen@jtprinc.com
317-441-2487
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.
Stephanie touring a cave

A Day in the Life with our Land Protection Manager

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Stephanie Paine Crossin, our land protection manager, spends her days working to bring more acres under protection. Her work takes her from the quiet of her workspace to the buzz of a conference room table to the splendor of the great outdoors. Continue reading →

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

smiller@conservingindiana.org
317.370.2464
Shawndra 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.
Scarlet tanager photo by Emily Wood

Hiking Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve

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Guest post by Emily Wood, executive director of Indiana Wildlife Federation

I was tempted to wholly undersell the Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve in this post in order to keep it my little secret. I have been visiting this property regularly since I discovered that it was a quick ten minute drive from my house. Every season here offers something to see, smell or hear—and always packs one heck of a workout with its trail plunging steeply into a forested valley. Continue reading →

Emily Wood

Guest Blogger

Emily Wood is a Central Indiana Land Trust member living on the southwest side of Indianapolis. She has a degree in Wildlife Biology from Ball State University and was formerly the executive director for the Indiana Wildlife Federation. Emily is an avid angler, hiker, photographer and conservation advocate.
Betley Woods at Glacier's End

 $1 Million Gift from the Betley Family will Enhance Protected Lands

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 21, 2021

Newly renamed preserve now called Betley Woods at Glacier’s End

The Central Indiana Land Trust Inc. (CILTI) has received a $1 million gift from Leonard and Kathryn Betley and their family to support reforestation and land protection, as well as to establish an endowment for the Hills of Gold Conservation Area.

Continue reading →

Jen Schmits Thomas

Media Relations

Jen@jtprinc.com
317-441-2487
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.
Indiana Bat Photo by US Fish and Wildlife Service, via Creative Commons

Wabash Reach Protected Forever for Endangered Bats

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This week, we closed on a bat protection project in Vermillion County. This haven for endangered bats is known as Wabash Reach. It takes its name from a “reach” (long straight stretch) of the Wabash River. The land borders a mile-long straight stretch of the Wabash.

Continue reading →

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

smiller@conservingindiana.org
317.370.2464
Shawndra 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.
Bundles of saplings ready to be planted

Indiana trees and the world’s climate challenge

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By Cliff Chapman
Executive Director, Central Indiana Land Trust

As world leaders gather in Glasgow for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (Oct. 31-Nov. 12), it can feel as though the Earth’s fate rests in the hands of a few politicians. At the same time, it might seem like the areas where meaningful change can happen are far from home: rainforests, massive urban areas, the oceans, and so on. Continue reading →

Cliff Chapman

President and CEO

cchapman@conservingindiana.org
317.525.3329
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.