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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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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.
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.
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.
Weft fern at Fern Station

Rare plant discovered at Fern Station in Putnam County

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Weft fern confirms uniqueness of the nature preserve

A team of natural scientists recently discovered a rare plant at Fern Station, the new nature preserve that the Central Indiana Land Trust (CILTI) purchased last year. Weft fern is a state-endangered species that grows on rocks, caves, and sheltered crevices. The scientists found the specimen during a plant inventory of the 570-acre forest west of Greencastle in Putnam County. 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.
Meltzer Woods photo by Jordan England

Nature as Self-Care

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It will come as no surprise to CILTI members and supporters: Nature—and forests in particular—can heal us. Physicians and mental health professionals the world over recognize this. Many have begun to prescribe nature walks to their patients. 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.
Phil Schaefer at Meltzer Woods

“Why I Support CILTI”: The Rescuer

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Our Make-a-Will-Month series continues with a profile of Phil Schaefer, who named our organization in his will.

Phil Schaefer not only has supported CILTI in the past as our Special Projects Coordinator, he also is a longtime volunteer—and a member of the Burr Oak Society. “I strongly believe in preserving the environment and especially natural places,” he says. “I love the concept of preserving these spaces and this land forever, for future generations to enjoy.” 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.
Oliver's Woods photo by Kate Huston

Protecting Forests for Clean Water

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Water Quality Month spurs us to take a look at the health of our most precious resource. We often focus on the importance of wetlands in filtering drinking water. But here’s a surprising partner in protecting a clean water supply: Forests. 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.
Sapling no. 1

From “Sapling No. 1” to Today

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An Update on our Tree Planting Pledge

In May of 2020, our stewardship crew placed a small red flag in the ground. The bare sticklike plant next to it was marked sapling #1.

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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.