Big Walnut Nature Preserve

Committed to Conservation

Third in a series memorializing our friend and benefactor, Len Betley

Our spring newsmagazine features a tribute to the late Len Betley, who left a tremendous land protection legacy. Bill Weeks, who has a long history of service in the conservation field, worked with Len in the 1980s. We asked him to share some highlights of their collaboration.

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Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

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.
Using a plant identification book

April is Citizen Science Month

You probably already know that April is Earth Month and National Native Plant Month, but did you know that April is also Citizen Science Month*?

Citizen science is when members of the general public help conduct scientific research. It involves real people reporting observations and collecting real data that matters to them.

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Grace van Kan

White River Steward

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.
Trout lily at Betley Woods

Giving for Impact

Second in a series memorializing our friend and benefactor, Len Betley

Our spring newsmagazine spotlights the late Len Betley, whose support of conservation had a far-reaching impact. As a business leader, Len mentored many younger colleagues. One of them was Dan Appel of Gregory & Appel Insurance.

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Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

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.
Alex Stewart measuring slope grade using clinometer

Trailing Ahead at Betley Woods

Coming soon to a preserve near you: an incredible hiking experience. Yes, Betley Woods at Glacier’s End is getting topnotch trails! Our partners at the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) received Next Level Trails funding from the state to build sustainable trails through this gorgeous preserve.

Our team helped plot out trail routes, working with IWF staff and premiere trail designer Alex Stewart. Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

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.
Pine Hills Nature Preserve

A Tradition of Giving

First in a series memorializing our friend and benefactor, Len Betley

Our spring newsmagazine features a tribute to the late Len Betley, whose support of conservation in general and our work in particular had an enormous impact. Here, we talk with Len’s son Tom Betley. Tom is the Associate Vice Chair for Budget and Finance at the IU Department of Medicine. He serves on our board as Vice Chair of Programs, generously volunteering his time and expertise to our mission. He offered these reflections on his father’s legacy.

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Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

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.
The Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow. Photo by Karen Wade.

Women Conservation Heroes of Indiana

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are honoring notable women, past and present. Right here in Indiana, we can point to many female conservation heroes. Here are just a few.

Dr. Shirley Heinze. Dr. Heinze’s love of nature and the Indiana Dunes ran deep. The Porter County resident devoted herself to the fight to save the Dunes, doing all she could to protect this special part of Indiana and inspiring others to do so as well.

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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.
Watercolor of golden oriole by Susan Fenimore Cooper, 1851

Women’s History and “Our Common Home”

For Women’s History Month, we look at just a few of the many American women whose work gave voice to planetary concerns.

The Naturalist

“The earth is the common home of all.” So said Susan Fenimore Cooper (1813-1894), one of America’s earliest naturalists.

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Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

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.
CC BY-SA 4.0

Celebrating Black History in Conservation

This month, CILTI joins the nation in observing Black History Month, which shines a light on Black achievement while recognizing the ongoing struggle that Black people have faced throughout American history.

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Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

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.
Nature preserve boundary sign at Betley Woods

The Nature of a Preserve

What makes a nature preserve? And if a nature preserve is not state-dedicated, is it really a nature preserve? It sure is!

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Grace van Kan

White River Steward

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.
Red-shouldered hawk

Expanding Protected Lands in Parke County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 26, 2023

Parke County conservation easement lays groundwork for more rare birds to call western Indiana home

Entrepreneur and nature lover Joe McCurdy and his daughter Cheyenne McCurdy have placed 200 acres north of Turkey Run State Park under protection through a conservation easement with the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI). Conservation of this mixed forest and farmland acreage brings the total amount of land protected there to nearly 1,000 acres.

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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.