Category: Properties

Part 5 of our winter “Staff Picks” series 

North Woods is a novel written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason. It was easily my favorite read of 2024. The story begins on a plot of land in northern Massachusetts, and remains in the exact same spot for hundreds of years. Starting with a pair of runaway lovers in the 1600s, we bear witness to the North Woods’ changes through the context of natural succession and human interaction.

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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.

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.