Central Indiana Land Trust

Welcome to Oliver's Woods
2022-06-25 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, United States
Join us for a guided walk through our newly opened Oliver’s Woods Nature Preserve.

About this event

Explore the trails at this uniquely green property on the river located near the Fashion Mall at Keystone. Learn about the amenities and history of Oliver’s Woods and meet some of the CILTI team members.
All Ages
Free of Charge – RSVP Required
What to Expect and Bring:
• Easy, 0.6-mile hike over a flat, loop trail.
• Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
• Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Registration:
Please preregister through Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions:
Oliver’s Woods is located at 8825 River Road Indianapolis, Indiana. Please park in the parking lot adjacent to I-465 and meet staff on foot in front of the house.

Pulling Winter Creeper at Oliver's Woods
2022-06-22 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, United States
Join our Stewardship team to get the preserve looking less creepy.

About this event

All Ages
Please RSVP so we know you’re coming.
What to Expect and Bring:
• Volunteers will remove plants by hand.
• Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
• Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
• Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
• Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.
Registration:
Please preregister through Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions:
Oliver’s Woods is located at 8825 River Road Indianapolis, Indiana. Please park in the parking lot adjacent to I-465 and meet staff on foot in front of the house.
More information on Wintercreeper:
Wintercreeper is a vigorous vine that invades forest openings and margins. It grows across the ground, displacing herbaceous plants and seedlings and climbs trees high into the tree canopy by clinging to the bark. Forest openings, caused by wind, insects or fire are especially vulnerable to invasion.
What else can I do?
After visiting an area that has invasive weeds present, clean up before you leave the site. Make sure your clothes, boots, vehicles, and pets are seed free. Use plants native to Central Indiana in your yard and garden.

Help Pull Garlic Mustard at Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve
2022-05-04 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Meltzer Woods, 1522 S 600 E, Shelbyville, IN, 46176, United States
We still need your help pulling invasive garlic mustard at Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve so we may welcome back the native plants.

About this event

All Ages
Click here to RSVP
What to Expect and Bring
• Volunteers will remove by hand the garlic mustard plants and roots.
• Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
• Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
• Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
• Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.
RSVP
Please click here to preregister via Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions
Meltzer Woods is located near Shelbyville and is a short 35 minute drive from Indianapolis. From Indianapolis, take I74 E to IN 244 E, then turn left onto S 600 East. Staff will meet you in the parking lot. Map:@Meltzer Woods
More on Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
It is an invasive plant species that spreads into high-quality woodlands, upland and floodplain forests, not just into disturbed areas. Garlic mustard alters habitat suitability for native plants, insects and thereby birds and mammals.
What else can I do?
After visiting an area that has invasive weeds present, clean up before you leave the site. Make sure your clothes, boots, vehicles, and pets are seed free. Use plants native to Central Indiana in your yard and garden.

Celebrate Earth Day with a Spring Wildflower Walk at Burnett Woods
2022-04-30 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Burnett Woods, 8264 E. County Road 100 South, Avon, IN, 46123, United States
Join our Stewardship team for a walk through the woods and an impressive wildflower display in the heart of Avon, Indiana

About this event

All Ages
Free of Charge – RSVP Required
What to Expect and Bring:
• Easy, 1.5 mile wildflower walk over a flat, loop trail.
• Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
• Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
RSVP
Please click here to preregister via Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions:
Burnett Woods is located at 8264 E County Road 100 S Avon, IN 46123. Parking is available at Light and Life Methodist Church, 8264 E. County Road 100 South, which is next door to the preserve. Park behind the church in the back row and walk in a southeastern direction across the grass toward the road. The trailhead is near the road, behind the preserve sign.
Note: As of March 4, 2022, Burnett Woods IS accessible through the road construction, if you follow detour signs.

Garlic Mustard Pull at Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve
2022-04-28 10:00 - 13:00, 2022-04-26 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Meltzer Woods, 1522 S 600 E, Shelbyville, IN, 46176, United States
Help us welcome back native plants and wildlife by pulling invasive garlic mustard at Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve.

About this event

All Ages
Click here to RSVP
What to Expect and Bring
• Volunteers will remove by hand the garlic mustard plants and roots.
• Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
• Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
• Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
• Face mask/cover required.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
• Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.
RSVP
Please click here to preregister via Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions
Meltzer Woods is located near Shelbyville and is a short 35 minute drive from Indianapolis. From Indianapolis, take I74 E to IN 244 E, then turn left onto S 600 East. Staff will meet you in the parking lot. Map:@Meltzer Woods
More on Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
It is an invasive plant species that spreads into high-quality woodlands, upland and floodplain forests, not just into disturbed areas. Garlic mustard alters habitat suitability for native plants, insects and thereby birds and mammals.
What else can I do?
After visiting an area that has invasive weeds present, clean up before you leave the site. Make sure your clothes, boots, vehicles, and pets are seed free. Use plants native to Central Indiana in your yard and garden.

Rain Date for Bioswale Planting at Oliver's Woods
2022-04-23 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, United States
Help us prepare the river bank with a bioswale planting to help move and filter water to the White River.

About this event

All Ages
Please RSVP so we know to expect you.
What to Expect and Bring:

Volunteers will remove and plant by hand.
Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.

RSVP:
Please pre-register through Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions:
Oliver’s Woods is located at 8825 River Road Indianapolis, Indiana. Please park in the parking lot adjacent to I-465 and meet staff on foot in front of the house.

Weed Pull to Prepare for Tree Planting at Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve
2022-04-20 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Meltzer Woods, 1522 S 600 E, Shelbyville, IN, 46176, United States
Help us prepare for a tree planting by pulling invasive plants at Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve.

About this event

All Ages
Click here to RSVP
What to Expect and Bring:
• Volunteers will remove invasive plants by hand.
• Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
• Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
• Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
• Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.
RSVP
Please click here to preregister via Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions:
Meltzer Woods is located near Shelbyville and is a short 35-minute drive from Indianapolis. From Indianapolis, take I74 E to IN 244 E, then turn left onto S 600 East. Staff will meet you in the parking lot. Map:@Meltzer Woods
More on Invasive Plants:
Invasive plants crowd out native plants that provide food and habitat for the insects and animals that coevolved with them. Invasives like garlic mustard, wintercreeper and honeysuckle alter habitat suitability for native plants, insects and thereby birds and mammals.
What else can I do?
After visiting an area that has invasive weeds present, clean up before you leave the site. Make sure your clothes, boots, vehicles, and pets are seed free. Use plants native to Central Indiana in your yard and garden.

Watercolors & Haiku at Oliver's Woods
2022-04-16 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, United States
Enjoy an artful morning inspired by nature, with haiku and a watercolor lesson with artist Megan Jefferson and poet JK Kato.

About this event

All Ages
Free of Charge – RSVP Required
What to Expect and Bring:
• Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
• Watercolor materials will be supplied.
• Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
RSVP:
Please pre-register through Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions:
Oliver’s Woods is located at 8825 River Road Indianapolis, Indiana. Please park in the parking lot adjacent to I-465 and meet staff on foot in front of the house.
Artist Information:
Megan Jefferson is an Indianapolis painter and has been actively creating work ever since receiving her BFA from Miami University in 1998. She has exhibited extensively, regionally and sells her work to designers and individual patrons. @JeffersonArtStudio
JL Kato graduated from Indiana University with a degree in journalism. His poems have been published in many publications, such as Arts & Letters and Tipton Poetry Journal, as well as in several anthologies. Kato and his wife, Mary Hawn, co-founded Poetry in Free Motion, a biennial collaboration between poets and quilters. @JLKato
Brick Street Poetry believes exchanging the personal through poetry leads to a better understanding of the universal and a more vibrantly connected world. @BrickStreetPoetry

Bioswale Planting at Oliver's Woods--Rescheduled to April 23
2022-04-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, United States
This event has been rescheduled due to rain in the forecast. The new date is Saturday, April 23. More information: tinyurl.com/BioSwaleRainDate

Help us prepare the river bank with a bioswale planting to help move and filter water to the White River.

About this event

All Ages
Please RSVP so we know to expect you.
What to Expect and Bring:

Volunteers will remove and plant by hand.
Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.

RSVP:
Please pre-register through Eventbrite so we know to expect you.
Directions:
Oliver’s Woods is located at 8825 River Road Indianapolis, Indiana. Please park in the parking lot adjacent to I-465 and meet staff on foot in front of the house.

Tree ID Hike at Oliver's Woods
2021-12-04 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, United States
Learn how to distinguish tree species in a winter landscape.

Trees that shed their leaves have a beauty all their own. Join our White River Steward, Grace van Kan, in a hike through this riverine nature preserve to welcome the turning of the season. Situated along the White River, Oliver’s Woods Nature Preserve offers a nature immersion in the midst of a bustling commercial district.
All Ages
Free of Charge – RSVP Required through Eventbrite
What to Expect and Bring

Easy, 1.5 mile hike over a flat, loop trail.
Feel free to bring your own binoculars or scope for potential bird viewing.
Face mask/cover may be required.
Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush and the cold (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Dress for the weather.
No bathroom is available at this site.

Reserve your spot!
Please RSVP through Eventbrite as space is limited.
Directions
Oliver’s Woods is located at 8825 River Road Indianapolis, Indiana. Please park in the parking lot adjacent to I-465 and meet staff on foot in front of the house.

COVID Safety Note:
Safety is our first priority, and we continue to monitor pandemic conditions as we host events. If we need to alter or change our event schedule, we will notify all registrants directly and post updates to social media. In an effort to keep everyone as safe as possible, we will make an effort to keep socially distanced on this outing. Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this together!

Black Friday Hike at Burnett Woods
2021-11-26 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Burnett Woods, 8264 E. County Road 100 South, Avon, IN, 46123, United States
Join our Executive Director for a hike through the woods in the heart of Avon, Indiana.

Cliff Chapman will lead a nature walk through beautiful Burnett Woods. This lovely forested spot is a great place to see fall colors!

About this event

All Ages
Free of Charge – RSVP Required
What to Expect and Bring:

Easy, 1.5 mile hike over a flat, loop trail.
Family friendly.
Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Reserve your spot!
Please RSVP through Eventbrite as space is limited.

Directions:
Address is 8264 E County Road 100 S Avon, IN 46123. Parking is available at Light and Life Methodist Church, 8264 E. County Road 100 South, which is next door to the preserve. Park behind the church in the back row and walk in a southeastern direction across the grass toward the road. The trailhead is near the road, behind the preserve sign.
COVID Safety Note:
Safety is our first priority, and we continue to monitor pandemic conditions as we host events. If we need to alter or change our event schedule, we will notify all registrants directly and post updates to social media. In an effort to keep everyone as safe as possible, we will make an effort to keep socially distanced on this outing. Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this together!

Monarchs in a Changing World: How These Butterflies Bring Us Together
2021-11-07 13:30 - 15:30 UTC | Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, United States
Part of the Spirit & Place Festival

Learn about monarch butterflies and the importance of conservation while helping complete a new mural. A partnership between CILTI, Jefferson Art Studio and Indiana Wildlife Federation.
Monarchs go through the ultimate change when they metamorphosize from caterpillar to chrysalis and finally the beloved butterfly we all recognize. Attendees will assist in the completion of a mural designed by local artist Megan Jefferson while learning how to help increase the population of monarch butterflies. We will discuss how the monarch is a flagship species that improves the visibility of other conservation goals.
All Ages
Free of Charge – RSVP Required
What to Expect and Bring
• Weather permitting, the event will take place outside, so please dress for the weather.
• Face mask/cover required.
• Wear closed-toed shoes.
• Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
DIRECTIONS: Oliver’s Woods is located at 8825 River Road Indianapolis, Indiana. Please park in the parking lot adjacent to I-465 and meet staff on foot in front of the house.
ABOUT SPIRIT & PLACE: The Spirit & Place Festival (Nov. 4-14) celebrates the powerful role the arts, humanities, and religion play in community life and is housed in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. Learn more at spiritandplace.org.

Feathers and Fermentation Tour – Fall Migration Extravaganza
2021-09-26 13:00 - 17:00 UTC | Oliver’s Woods, 8825 River Road, Indianapolis, United States
Our good friend Wes Homoya, birder extraordinaire, leads this special event at Oliver’s Woods!
Register here to join Wes and Indy Brew Bus on Tap at this urban nature preserve, encompassing 16 acres of woods, 37 acres of prairie-savanna restoration, and a mile of White River frontage.
On the hour, between 1 – 4 pm, Wes will take people in groups of 20 to explore the nature preserve. Look for fall migrants making their way south through our city. Migratory birds use Oliver’s Woods’ riverside oasis as a pit stop to refuel for their journey.
Indy Brew Bus on Tap will be onsite pouring local craft beer, canned cider and wine. Your ticket includes one drink. A cash bar will be available for additional drinks. ‘Tour only’ tickets do not include a drink. Feel free to bring snacks!
We hope you will stick around before or after your walking tour to continue birding, talking birds and conservation, and supporting Indiana craft breweries and cideries.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to CILTI and the Indiana Audubon Society.

An Evening on the Bluffs - Celebrating 31 Years of Land Conservation (Registration is Closed)
2021-09-21 17:30 - 20:00 UTC | Highland Golf & Country Club, 1050 52nd Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46228, United States
Weather Update
The pre-event cocktail stroll of White River Bluffs is being rescheduled due to inclement weather. The 5:30 PM gala is still happening, but we are moving it indoors with a covered outdoor option. If you are registered for either event, please check your email for details.
Join Us As We Celebrate 31 Years of Land Conservation

Registration is Closed

Details
September 21, 2021
Cocktails & Heavy Hors d’oeuvres begin serving at 5:30 pm
Program at 6:30 pm
Silent Auction Closes at 8:00 pm
Stroll through the gardens and bocce courts at Highland Golf and Country Club.
Drinks donated by Upland Brewing, Hotel Tango and Wines ‘Til Sold Out
Registration is closed.
Pre Event Cocktail Stroll at 4:30 pm–SOLD OUT
Join us early for a special gathering. We’ll sip cocktails provided by Hotel Tango while celebrating the protection of White River Bluffs (adjacent to Highland Golf and Country Club). Enjoy an exclusive sneak preview of one of our most unique nature preserves. Be among the first to hear the details of plans for the property, including a flowering pollinator “art wall” on the 85-foot bluffs along the White River. Limited availability. Details on the ticketing page. The additional fee is $30.

Evening on the Bluffs FAQs
What COVID precautions will you be taking?
​We will closely monitor current local guidance to ensure we are following all best practices around COVID-19 safety. We are requesting all attendees wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Please wear your mask when not eating or drinking. To ensure a safe event for all, the entire evening will be held outside. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres in lieu of a seated dinner. If we need to make further safety adjustments, we will email attendees in advance of the event. Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this together.
What is the schedule of events?
The schedule of events is as follows:

Pre-event Cocktail stroll 4:30 pm (you must pre-register for this VIP event for an additional fee of $30)
Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres served 5:30 pm
Program 6:30 pm
Silent Auction Closes 8:00 pm

Will you be serving a sit down dinner at the event?
There is no sit-down dinner, but heavy hors d’oeuvres will be offered beginning at 5:30 pm.
What is the hors d’oeuvres menu?
Blue Cheese Sliders, Brisket Sliders, Coconut Chicken, Crudite and Deli Platters, Stuffed Pappadew Peppers, Vidalia Crustini, Charcuterie and Cheese, Chicken Sliders, Dessert Tray
Should I bring cash for drinks?
There is no charge for non-alcoholic drinks and drinks from our sponsors, Upland Brewery and Wines ’til Sold Out. At the pre-event cocktail stroll, we will serve craft cocktails from Hotel Tango free of charge (you must pre-register for this VIP event). All other cocktails and drinks will be available for purchase, cash only.
Are the cocktails and program cost mutually exclusive for Evening on the Bluffs?
Some cocktails are included in the event ($70), but there is also a pre-event cocktail stroll ($30) at 4:30 pm, during which you can enjoy a sneak peek at White River Bluffs.
What is the cutoff for registration?
Registration is closed.
Can I celebrate with you in other ways if I do not attend?
Yes! You can bid on silent auction items online starting on Sept. 17. Watch our webpage for details.
Do you need volunteers?.
Yes! If you or your friends and family would like to volunteer time to make this event a success, please sign up here: Volunteer at Evening on the Bluffs. For every two-hour shift, volunteers are entered into a drawing to win a CILTI gift basket that includes a CILTI zip hoodie!

What is the Cocktail Stroll?
We’ll have a small tented area in the parking lot on the nature preserve boundary. There will be a small, grassy area there to walk in for a peek into the preserve. We’re also arranging for multi-person golf carts to bring guests further into the preserve to the see the timber wall and a boardwalk area. There would be limited walking if the guest chooses. Depending on the weather both of these areas could be muddy, if you choose to leave the golf cart or take the (very) short walk adjacent to event area.
