Founders Fen

CILTI takes ownership of Hancock County site including unique fen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seeks to buy adjacent land to fully protect feature rich in biodiversity and environmental impact

The Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) has received ownership of a 9.8-acre Hancock County site from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), allowing it to protect forever a biodiverse and environmentally significant feature known as a fen. Continue reading

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.
Looking north across Snake Creek with Fern Station in the distance

CILTI expands Putnam County protected lands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fern Cliff Addition adds to protected lands connected to Coca-Cola’s patented green glass

The Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) has added to protected lands in Putnam County with the purchase of 27-acre Fern Cliff Addition.

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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.
Cliff Chapman and Mr. Grinch at closing

Whoville-area property preserved for education and recreation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rugged landscape donated to CILTI, opened to visitors for first time

Mount Crumpit and adjacent lands outside Whoville have been sold to the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) so they may be protected in perpetuity. Landowner The Grinch agreed to the sale in the wake of a cardiac episode that prompted him to consider how access to the land could benefit area residents. Continue reading

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.

Gov. Holcomb announces land purchase for new nature preserve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thanks to a public-private partnership, a 570-acre undisturbed piece of Indiana forestland west of Greencastle in Putnam County will be protected forever to support important wildlife and plants and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. Continue reading

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.
Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve photo by Kyle Doles

Let’s honor those who have protected Indiana’s natural places

Our president & CEO, Cliff Chapman, submitted this opinion piece to local media. It ran in several outlets in late May.

Among the many ways that Len Betley, who passed away late last year, made a difference in Indiana was through his drive to conserve our natural areas. In addition to directly participating in the purchase and protection of some of Indiana’s most stunning landscapes, he led initiatives that support ongoing conservation projects and strengthened preservation organizations. Continue reading

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.
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.
Cliff Chapman and Santa Claus at closing

Claus Family Puts Storied Property Under CILTI Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sugarplum fields, reindeer play areas to be protected forever

The Claus family has put approximately 2.6 billion acres of ice cap under the care of the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) through a conservation easement that protects the property while allowing the family to continue its toy-production operations there.

Impressed by CILTI’s management of thousands of acres of Indiana’s natural heritage, the Claus family wanted to ensure that similar care would be given to its property in perpetuity.

“I’ve got enough on my mind without worrying that one of my descendants might one day decide to sell off our North Pole real estate to relocate to a warmer climate,” said Santa Claus, family patriarch and founder of Claus Enterprises. “Now I can focus on our merry manufacturing and logistics operations … and enjoy a pretty nice tax benefit to boot!”

Claus said the property has been in his family for as long as anyone can remember, so they feel a special attachment to the ice cap, especially the wild sugarplum fields and reindeer frolicking grounds.

“People tend to think of the Arctic as a frozen wasteland, but there is vibrant flora and fauna, ranging from lichens and sedges to polar bears and Arctic foxes,” said CILTI Executive Director Cliff Chapman, “and recent bird counts found snow buntings, northern fulmars, and black-legged kittiwakes, among others.”

He added, “This truly one-of-a-kind property has incredibly rich biodiversity, and we’re honored to be asked to help protect it.”

Claus said he first learned of CILTI when he noticed a Central Indiana surge on his “Nice” list. Investigating the increase, he determined that it was driven by CILTI’s donors. “These people aren’t just nice,” Claus said. “With their generosity and concern for the environment, they’re making a difference in Central Indiana, and I want to make a similar difference in my neck of the woods.”

The conservation agreement does not restrict public access to the property, but CILTI does not plan to develop trails or amenities or to locate staff there.

Wishing a happy holiday to all! We are so grateful for the continued support.

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.
Carmel Creek

Visitors to Oliver’s Woods Nature Preserve can share photos for timelapse project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Visitors to Oliver’s Woods Nature Preserve on the northside of Indianapolis can participate in a citizen science project that will show changes at the preserve over time.

Participants can take a photo of Carmel Creek from the designated spot in the nature preserve and email it to Chronolog, the platform that is creating the timelapse using the submitted photos. View the timelapsed photos here.

Over time, looking at multiple photos taken from the same spot will reveal seasonal changes, as well as changes in water levels and, potentially, wildlife population.

“Changes in the environment are sometimes difficult to see and understand because they happen gradually,” said Cliff Chapman, executive director of the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI), which owns and manages Oliver’s Woods. “This project helps connect people with the subtle changes.”

Located at 8825 River Road, Oliver’s Woods features 16 acres of woods, 37 acres of prairie-savanna restoration, and a mile of White River frontage. Many volunteers have helped build trails, plant native plants and trees and remove invasive species from the property. This special care is allowing native species like wild ginger, rare butternut trees, waterleaf, wild hyacinth and trillium to flourish. The southern half of the popular Town Run Trail Park is encompassed within this property.

Watch our own Grace van Kan, White River Steward, share more about this project on Fox59!

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.
Betley Woods at Glacier's End

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

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).
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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.
Hooded warbler

Southern Johnson County gets more protected land

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.

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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.