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American burnet at Founders Fen

Innovation, Flexibility, and Speed Bring Conservation Victories

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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.

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John Bacone

Secretary

Board member John Bacone retired in 2019 after 40 years as the Director of the Division of Nature Preserves with Indiana DNR. 
Larimer Fen photo by John Brittenham

Habitat protected for one of North America’s rarest butterflies, other endangered species

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indiana’s only site for Mitchell’s satyr, a species on the brink of extinction, safe from development

The purchase of a 13-acre property containing a high-quality wetland in northern Indiana will help to protect one of the rarest species in the U.S. 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.
Buck caught on the Oliver's Woods trail cam

Exploring Deer Hunting in Urban Nature Preserves

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Guest post by DJ Connors

Urban nature preserves are essential green spaces that provide an oasis for wildlife and people alike. These preserves are not only places of beauty and recreation. They also play a crucial role in wildlife management, particularly when it comes to controlling deer populations. Let’s explore the importance of deer hunting in these areas and how it benefits both the environment and the community.

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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.
Sycamore photo by Greg Hess

Creating local carbon credits delivers local benefits

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An Indianapolis Business Journal opinion piece by our President/CEO, Cliff Chapman

You’re probably aware that trees are growing in the Amazon rainforest to offset American corporations’ carbon footprints. You might also know that timber in the Pacific Northwest offers similar carbon credits. Continue reading →

Cliff Chapman

President and CEO

cchapman@conservingindiana.org
317.525.3329
As President and CEO, Cliff keeps our 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.
James Todd

Why I Donate to CILTI

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Guest post by James Todd

I support the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) because it is a local agency that does the important work of protecting and preserving what remains of our natural environment. Because CILTI is local to Central Indiana, I believe that my donations have a large impact on our local areas. Continue reading →

James Todd

Guest Blogger

James Todd is a 67-year-old retiree who enjoys hiking, camping, and kayaking. He is a proud supporter of Central Indiana Land Trust.
Karen Wade in Betley Woods at Glacier's End

“Just imagine the vastness of our state’s natural heritage”

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Guest post by Karen Wade

As a mostly-native plant gardener, I can often be found in my backyard on hands and knees tending pots of pawpaw seedlings, tucking soil around newly planted native spicebushes, or just hanging out on the back step marveling at how the bumblebees manage to squirm their oversize wiggle bottoms inside the white turtlehead blossoms. My suburban yard in town won’t win any garden club prizes, but I hope it provides my friends and neighbors with a glimpse of what native gardening can look like, and the ecosystem benefits it bestows. Continue reading →

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.
Milkweed seeds

Collect Native Seeds to Speed Winter Along

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As the days shorten and temperatures dip, nature-lovers might get a little restless, dreading the long winter months ahead. But there’s an easy and fun way to ward off seasonal blahs.

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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.
Julie Dart at our 2023 Black Friday hike, Fern Station

Why I support CILTI: Indiana’s natural sanctuaries need our protection

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Guest post by Julie Dart 

I first fell in love with nature in suburban Los Angeles, where I grew up. The landscape was brown most of the year, but there was always something new to see. I loved to hike in the mountains behind our house alone or with my father, watching the sky for hawks, identifying plants, and marveling at the views of the neighborhoods below. Continue reading →

Julie Dart

Guest Blogger

Julie Dart is a Master Naturalist and retired writer and editor. She and her husband, Jeff Swiatek, are the proud parents of two adult sons and enjoy removing invasive plant species on CILTI volunteer work days.
Photo from Fern Station by Dana Maddox

Double Down for Nature!

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Get ready to double your impact! We’re pleased to share that the Efroymson Family Fund is bringing us another generous year-end challenge. Every donation up to $250,000 will be matched dollar for dollar! Your gift can go twice as far for nature in Central Indiana—but only if it’s made by midnight on December 31, 2024. 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.
Big brown bat

Bats Provide More than Halloween Fright

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by Grace van Kan, White River Steward

Halloween is nearly upon us, and if you visit the hardware store as often as I do, you know Halloween decorations have been out since July. Among the giant skeletons and ghoulish snow-globes you will find another cute creature ubiquitous with Halloween: the bat. Continue reading →

Grace van Kan

White River Steward

gvankan@conservingindiana.org
312.286.2484
Grace grew up roaming the woods, creeks and wetlands around the Chesapeake Bay watershed. From an early trout-raising project to a “gap year” spent restoring coral reefs in Thailand, her interest in aquatic conservation has only grown. Now she cares for several riverine nature preserves as CILTI’s White River Steward.