Tomorrow is International Bat Appreciation Day, so we bring you this Indiana bat photo from our archives. Indiana bats are endangered and found on several of our nature preserves. According to the Indiana DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife, nearly 40% of all Indiana bats rely on Indiana to survive. They come back to the Hoosier state’s caves to hibernate through the frigid winter months. Learn more about the federally- and state-endangered Indiana bat: wildlife.IN.gov/3371.htm. #BatAppreciation #InternationalBatAppreciationDay #BatAppreciationDay #IndianaBat #endangeredspecies #Endangered #endangeredbat #BatsofInstagram #BatsofIndiana #habitatprotection #landprotection #naturepreserve #bats #bat #Batlove #Batsrule #batsinIndiana #Indianabats #hibernation #DNR #INDNR #IndianaDNR #IndianaFishandWildlife #nature #wildlife #Indianawildlife #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #CILTI April 16, 2021 Join us for Wake Up to Spring, a family-friendly event at Oliver’s Woods on May 2. Families with children will enjoy this outing based on the award-winning picture book Wake up, Woods. Botanist Mike Homoya, a Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award honoree, will read from Wake Up, Woods and lead a walk in this riverine nature preserve to look for the native plants and insects in the book. This program is powered by Indiana Humanities and made possible with the support of Glick Philanthropies. Find registration links for the event, offered at noon and 3pm May 2, at the link in our bio (navigate to Events). @INHumanities #wakeupwoodsCILTI #wakeupwoods #oliverswoods #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #naturepreserve #urbannaturepreserve #urbannature #protectedwoods #wakeuptospring #protectingland #landprotection #protectedhabitat #habitatprotection #myindiana #indiananature #whiteriverIN #mywhiteriver #midwestnature #indianasveryown #viewsofnature #flowersofinstagram #virginiabluebells #welcomespring #nativeplantsofindiana #nativeflower #nativeflowersofindiana #nativeplant #viewsofindiana #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 15, 2021 Senate Bill 389, the anti-wetlands bill, has passed the Indiana General Assembly. Repealing protections for wetlands will have devastating impacts for communities. Wetlands are critical for flood control and water quality. There is still a chance we can defeat this egregious bill, but it will take all of our voices. Please contact Gov. Holcomb TODAY to ask him to veto SB 389. Thank him for the commitment to nature he made by pledging to plant a million trees over the next five years. Tell him we cannot afford to lose any more of Indiana's rapidly disappearing wetlands. You can reach him: By phone at 317-232-4567 By mail: Office of the Governor, Statehouse, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2797 By email: govholcomb@gov.in.gov @Indiana_wildlife_fed @hoosierenvcouncil #wetlandprotection #wetlands #governorholcomb #SB389 #advocacy #INLegis #ProtectWetlands #cleanwater #wetland #habitatloss #habitatprotection #waterprotection #protectingourwaterways #bluewingedteal #waterbirdsofinstagram #wetlandbirds #waterbirdsofIndiana #ourwaterways #IndianaNature #IndianaWildlifeFederation #IndianaNature #IWF #protectedwater #floodmitigation #ecosystemprotection #groundwater #wetlandsofindiana #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 15, 2021 Wildlife Wednesday is back with another trail cam video. Groundhog (aka woodchuck) emerges into the sun! Mysterious: So many animals of various species have been recorded going into and coming out of this burrow. Wonder where it leads? (Recorded late February.) @indiana_wildlife_fed @ourwaterways #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewednesdays #urbanpreserve #wildlife #trailcam #wildlifecam #trailcamera #indianawildlife #urbanwildlife #urbannature #IndianaNature #PartnersfortheWhiteRiver #FriendsoftheWhiteRiver #IndianaWildlifeFederation #IndianaNature #IWF #WhiteRiverIN #MyWhiteRiver #ReconnectingToOurWaterways #WhiteRiverAlliance #PulliamTrust #OliversWoods #OliversWoodsNaturePreserve #NinaMasonPulliamCharitableTrust #woodchuck #groundhog #woodchucksofinstagram #groundhogsofinstagram #CentralIndianaLandTrust #CILTI April 14, 2021 Linda and Ken have so far visited four out of the five nature preserves involved in CILTI's Trek our Trails Challenge. Here they are at Nonie Werbe Krauss Nature Preserve in Fishers. Thanks for trekking our trails! #TrekourTrails2021 #TrekourTrails #NonieWerbeKraussNaturePreserve #NonieKraussNaturePreserve #KraussNaturePreserve #FishersIndiana #HamiltonCountyIN #VisitHamiltonCounty #NaturePreserve #ProtectedLand #Land4All #Nature4All #NationalLookUpAttheSkyDay #NationalLookUpAttheSkyDay2021 #LookUpAttheSkyDay #LookUpAttheSkyDay2021 #LookUpAttheSky #BigSky #prairiepreserve #protectednature #nature #getoutside #visitnature #getoutdoors #springinIndiana #protectedland #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 14, 2021 Thanks to @need2gohike for posting this photo from Nonie Werbe Krauss Nature Preserve. Glad you are enjoying trekking our trails! #TrekourTrails2021 #TrekourTrails #NonieWerbeKraussNaturePreserve #NonieKraussNaturePreserve #KraussNaturePreserve #FishersIndiana #HamiltonCountyIN #VisitHamiltonCounty #NaturePreserve #ProtectedLand #Land4All #Nature4All #followthepath #getoutside #naturewalk #naturelovers #hikingindiana #hikingadventures #hoosierhiking #hikerbabesindiana #prairiepreserve #protectednature #nature #getoutside #visitnature #getoutdoors #springinIndiana #protectedland #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 13, 2021 Tree ID Tuesday is back this week with this venerable tree, the perfect choice for today (which happens to be International Plant Appreciation Day). Entomologist Doug Tallamy has documented that a mature specimen of this native tree supports more than 500 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars--critical food for the hatchlings of native songbirds. And the "fruit" of this tree feeds wildlife species like wild turkeys, quail, grouse, wood ducks, jays, opossums, raccoons, and more. Tallamy notes that if you can plant only one plant for wildlife or the environment, this tree is it! Know what it is? Comment with your answer and we will tell you tomorrow if you're right? #TreeIDTuesday #treeidentification #treeIDTues #DougTallamy #BringingNatureHome #plantatree #InternationalPlantAppreciationDay #InternationalPlantAppreciationDay2021 #PlantAppreciationDay #nativetree #protectedwoods #protectedforest #Land4All #natureforall #Nature4All #trees #treesforthewin #nativetreesofIndiana #treesofIndiana #TreeID #forest #forests #woods #foresthabitat #protectingland #landprotection #centralindiana #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 13, 2021 Join us Saturday for a family-friendly event along the White River. In this collaboration with @davincipursuit, we'll be hosting a nature journal club outdoors. Participants will be sketching nature and learning about natural areas in the city. All ages are welcome to this free event, which offers a chance to develop a stronger connection with nature, build community with new friends, and sketch outdoors. RSVPs are required (and a Zoom option is available). Learn more and reserve your spot by navigating to our events page from the link in our bio. #davincipursuit #artandscienceinnature #artinnature #naturejournaling #naturejournal #welovenature #naturelovers #WhiteRiverIN #MyWhiteRiver #PartnersfortheWhiteRiver #river #OliversWoods #OliversWoodsNaturePreserve #riverinepreserve #urbannature #outdoorart #getoutside #sketchoutside #sketchoutdoors #outsideart #ontheriver #midwestnature #springinindiana #landtrust #MyHappyPlace #Land4All #nature4all #indiananature #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 12, 2021 For your Fungi Friday pleasure, we bring you this intriguing specimen photographed at Blue Bluff Nature Preserve last fall. Unknown ID, but someone out there will tell us, we bet! #fungifriday #lookdown #fungusamongus #natureisbeautiful #naturepreserve #protectedland #BlueBluff #BlueBluffNaturePreserve #mushroom #fungi #fungus #naturalarea #natureindiana #landprotection #indiananature #mushroomsofinstagram #fungiofindiana #mushroomsofindiana #fungiofinstagram #naturalindiana #midwestnature #naturephotography #conservation #environment #centralindiana #landtrust #sustainability #naturelovers #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 9, 2021 Here's an Earth Month flashback to last spring, when the boss took his children to Glacier's End to take a look at the new saplings planted in our Million Tree Initiative's inaugural tree planting. (Note the CILTI shirt Will is sporting!) We will be planting more trees this year as we continue to buffer natural areas in Central Indiana. From flood reduction to climate change mitigation to habitat expansion, trees are the answer to the question. Thank you for supporting the important work of land protection and restoration. #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ThrowbackThurs #amilliontrees #treeplanting #treesforthewin #earthmonth #earthmonth2021 #plantamilliontrees #mitigateclimatechange #climatechangemitigation #naturepreserve #forest #protectedforest #forests #woods #foresthabitat #trees #protectedwoods #glaciersend #glaciersendnaturepreserve #johnsoncountyindiana #protectingland #landprotection #protectedhabitat #conservation #centralindiana #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 8, 2021 Our Wildlife Wednesday today brings a preview of springtime emergence: Here's something to watch for to as the days continue to lengthen and warm. Slugs, which have overwintered under the soil and leaf litter, will begin to slide through our nature preserves (and perhaps through your garden, where they might be less welcome). This changeable mantleslug was photographed in May 2019 by our own @phillipweldy at Meltzer Woods. According to Carnegie Museum of Natural History, this large slug has a tan to tan-grey "mantle" with irregular mottling of slightly darker brown spots. It is found in many habitats, from upland forests to anthropogenic habitats, and often observed crawling on smooth-barked trees at night and during wet weather. These slugs wait out hot or dry periods under loose bark, in moist depressions and holes in trees. It is among the most arboreal of terrestrial mollusks: In damp weather "this slug can be found feeding upon the thin film of algae high on tree trunks or snags, often out of reach." #whoknew #WildlifeWednesday #wildlifeWednesdays #scienceinnature #funfacts #slug #slugsofinstagram #slugsofindiana #meltzerwoods #oldgrowthforest #slugs #gottaloveaslug #meltzerwoodsnaturepreserve #protectedwoods #protectedforest #shelbycountyindiana #shelbyvilleindiana #nationalnaturallandmark #carnegiemuseumofnaturalhistory #signsofspring #welcomespring #lookdown #springishere #naturemoments #natureisnotclosed #harbingersofspring #springisonitsway #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 7, 2021 The aptly named spring beauty. Has anyone seen her yet? These were photographed last April at one of our riverine nature preserves. Delicate! #lookdown #springbeauty #nativewildflower #springwildflower #springflower #urbannaturepreserve #urbannature #protectedwoods #naturepreserve #protectingland #landprotection #protectedhabitat #habitatprotection #myindiana #indiananature #naturalindiana #natureisbeautiful #midwestnature #indianasveryown #viewsofnature #flowersofinstagram #harbingersofspring #awelcomesight #spring #WhiteRiverIN #viewsofindiana #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 6, 2021 By now, if you are a member, you should have received our spring newsletter in your mailbox. "The Bird Issue" covers bird migration, stewardship "for the birds," and Cliff's top 10 hidden gems of Indiana birding. It also includes our annual report with a look back at 2020. And it's a showstopper of an issue, beautifully designed (thanks @jacksonskydesign!). Not a member? You can still read the issue online--find it from the link in our bio. Or, feel free to join: any contribution from $35 up will set you up with a membership! Trust us, after reading this one you'll be inspired to visit nature preserves this spring. (Our cover bird is a Blackburnian warbler.) #comevisit #visitapreserve #naturepreserve #naturepreserves #migratorybirds #migratorywarbler #migratorybird #migratorywarblers #warbler #birdsofinstagram #warblersofinstagram #blackburnianwarbler #landtrust #birding #birdsofIndiana #warblersofIndiana #birdinginIndiana #birdwatching #birders #joinus #myhappyplace #Land4All #Nature4All #LandforAll #NatureforAll #EarthMonth #EarthMonth2021 #naturelovers #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 5, 2021 Thanks for trekking our trails! #Repost @dawleyworld • • • • • • Meltzer Woods Earlier this week, we decided to make the most of the beautiful spring day and visit Meltzer Woods Nature Preserve. The easy (1.3 mile) trail loops through old growth hardwood forest. The path was a little soggy in places, but we managed. Trees were showing their first hints of green, birds were singing everywhere, and the forest floor was covered with wildflowers (Spring Beauties). As part of this year’s curriculum we’re learning about colonial times, the American frontier, and the Western movement of European settlers. It’s incredible how different Indiana's natural landscape was in the early 1800’s and how quickly and drastically it changed. We're thankful for the Central Indiana Land Trust and all those that help preserve and share these natural areas. #cilti #trekourtrails2021 #meltzerwoods #meltzerwoodsnaturepreserve #oldgrowthforest #getoutside #indianaexplorer #homeschooladventure #learningthroughplay #howwehomeschool #newhomeschooler #wildandfreekids #wildandfreehomeschool #letthemexplore #kidswhoexplore #adventurewithyourkids #littleexplorers #gooutside #gooutsideandplay #1000hoursoutside April 3, 2021 We seriously love this book, Wake Up, Woods, and this is the perfect time of year to enjoy it. It is billed as a children's book (and sure to delight little ones with its glorious illustrations and rhyming verse). But it is every bit as lovely as a coffee table book. In a month we are excited to welcome its coauthor and illustrator to an outdoor event for the whole family. Watch this space for full details! #InternationalChildrensBookDay #InternationalChildrensBookDay2021 #ChildrensBookDay #youngreaders #naturebooks #naturebook #botanybook #childrensbook #ChildrensBookDay2021 #WakeUpWoods #welcomespring #signsofspring #springwildflowers #nativeplants #nativeflowers #noticingnature #lookdown #kidsandnature #totslovenature #getthemoutside #getthemoutdoors #nochildleftinside #naturemoments #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 2, 2021 No foolin', today is International Fun at Work Day. When you love your work, pretty much every day is fun--but for our Throwback Thursday photo today, we chose a special memory. Back in May 2019, some of our staff got to experience a forest bathing outing with Rick Shafer. We took to Meltzer Woods for an afternoon. "Fun" isn't really the word for the kind of nature immersion we enjoyed that day. More like "restorative." Thanks to Rick and to the woods, we emerged renewed! #forestbathing #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ThrowbackThurs #MeltzerWoods #oldgrowthforest #meltzerwoodsnaturepreserve #protectedwoods #protectedforest #nationalnaturallandmark #naturebathing #InternationalFunatWorkDay #FunatWorkDay #mothernature #FunatWork #mentalhealthandnature #InternationalFunatWorkDay2021 #natureseekers #naturetherapy #foresttherapy #nature #naturelovers #natureconnection #getoutside #mindfulness #thehealingpowerofnature #naturemoment #naturemoments #centralindianalandtrust #cilti April 1, 2021 A Wildlife Wednesday video with a “kicker”—this raccoon shows off some fancy footwork at the end of the clip. @indiana_wildlife_fed @ourwaterways #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewednesdays #urbanpreserve #riverpreserve #wildlife #trailcam #wildlifecam #trailcamera #wildlifecamera #indianawildlife #urbanwildlife #raccoonsofinstagram #IndianaNature #PartnersfortheWhiteRiver #FriendsoftheWhiteRiver #IndianaWildlifeFederation #IndianaNature #IWF #WhiteRiverIN #MyWhiteRiver #ReconnectingToOurWaterways #WhiteRiverAlliance #PulliamTrust #OliversWoods #OliversWoodsNaturePreserve #NinaMasonPulliamCharitableTrust #raccoon #raccoons #CentralIndianaLandTrust #CILTI March 31, 2021 We're back with Tree ID Tuesday, this time with a deciduous hardwood tree--we can almost say native, but Central Indiana is just north of its native range. This one was photographed last September at White River Bluffs in Indy, though, so we do have them (but they may struggle a bit with extended cold snaps). According to the USDA NRCS, this tree can grow to over 100 feet in height and 3 to 5 feet in diameter, with a symmetrical, cone-shaped crown. The bark is grayish brown, deeply furrowed into narrow, somewhat rounded ridges. The leaves resemble a star. The fruit is a spiny tipped ball producing seeds eaten by birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. This tree is host to the beautiful luna moth. A study in Pharmacology Review cited medicinal properties derived from its sap, known as storax, which has been used for centuries to treat ailments like skin problems, coughs, and ulcers. Know what it is? Comment with your answer and we'll let you know tomorrow if you're right! #TreeIDTuesday #treeidentification #treeIDTues #almostnativetree #protectedwoods #protectedforest #protectedland #WhiteRiverBluffs #WhiteRiverBluffsNaturePreserve #naturepreserve #riverinepreserve #mywhiteriver #WhiteRiverIN #urbannaturepreserve #urbantree #trees #treesforthewin #urbantrees #treesofIndiana #TreeID #forest #forests #woods #foresthabitat #protectingland #landprotection #centralindiana #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 30, 2021 This common weed is called hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), and it's a perfect selection given yesterday was National Weed Appreciation Day. (We checked and the day is really about garden weeds, not, uh, weed!) According to wildedible.com, hairy bittercress is a tasty edible weed in the mustard family. "A more appropriate name would be Not-so-hairy and pleasantly-mild spicycress." This one was photographed in early March at Oliver's Woods. Remember, there's no foraging on nature preserves. But you're likely to find this in a yard or public space near you. Just be sure you know what you are eating--this photo is not meant for ID purposes! #WeedAppreciationDay #notthatkindofweed #NationalWeedAppreciationDay #WeedAppreciationDay2021 #NationalWeedAppreciationDay2021 #weedappreciation #gardenweed #aweedisaplantoutofplace #edibleweeds #foraging #mustardfamily #forage #eatyourweeds #wildedibles #forageforlunch #eataweed #gardenweeds #cress #oliverswoods #lookdown #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #urbannaturepreserve #urbannature #protectedwoods #naturepreserve #weedsofinstagram #harbingersofspring #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 29, 2021 Fungi Friday is back with this Ravenel's Stinkhorn (we think). Its mushrooms grow in large clusters and are noteworthy "for their foul odor and phallic shape when mature" says Wikipedia. Photo is from Oliver's Woods last fall. #whoknew #funfact #fungifriday #lookdown #fungusamongus #naturepreserve #protectedland #OliversWoods #mushroom #fungi #fungus #naturalarea #natureindiana #landprotection #indiananature #mushroomsofinstagram #fungiofindiana #mushroomsofindiana #fungiofinstagram #naturalindiana #midwestnature #naturephotography #conservation #environment #centralindiana #landtrust #sustainability #stinkhorn #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 26, 2021 The Sturms are taking part in the Trek Our Trails Challenge, and recently hit another one of our places, The Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow. "What a beautiful place!" We agree, it is gorgeous out there. Thanks for trekking our trails! #trekourtrails2021 #trekourtrails #naturemoment #naturemoments #thelauraharepreserveatblossomhollow #blossomhollow #forest #blossomhollownaturepreserve #protectedwoods #protectedforest #trafalgarindiana #JohnsonCountyIndiana #optoutside #exploremore #getoutside #getoutthere #hikeindiana #ontherighttrail #exploreindiana #hikingindiana #naturewalk #seeyouonthetrail #myhappyplace #landforall #land4all #natureforall #nature4all #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 26, 2021 We are looking forward to these beauties springing forth--Virginia bluebell, an ephemeral flower that seems to glow in spring's sunlight. This one was photographed on a wildflower walk 11 years ago at a conservation easement near Zionsville. #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ThrowbackThurs #springwildflowers #nativeplants #nativeflowers #TakeaWalkinNature #lookdown #natureisabalm #springiscoming #naturesoothesthesoul #naturemoments #conservationeasement #landprotection #conservation #centralindiana #landtrust #protectingland #myindiana #indiananature #naturalindiana #natureisbeautiful #Virginiabluebells #bluebells #Virginiabluebell #bluebell #protectedhabitat #midwestnature #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 25, 2021 Have you trekked any of our trails lately? @bennnyv sent this photo of his young son discovering the forest floor at Meltzer Woods. Trek all five of our most popular nature preserves, and you'll receive CILTI pins (and be entered into a drawing for CILTI logo merch). You can either post or send your photos in to be entered into the challenge. Details at the link in our bio. #trekourtrails2021 #trekourtrails #naturemoment #naturemoments #nochildleftinside #meltzerwoods #oldgrowthforest #meltzerwoodsnaturepreserve #protectedwoods #protectedforest #totslovenature #shelbyvilleindiana #nationalnaturallandmark #optoutside #exploremore #getoutside #getoutthere #hikeindiana #ontherighttrail #exploreindiana #hikingindiana #naturewalk #seeyouonthetrail #myhappyplace #landforall #land4all #natureforall #nature4all #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 24, 2021 Update: this preserve is accessible if you follow detour signs to park at Light and Life Methodist church. This just in from our stewardship team: Burnett Woods (in Avon) is inaccessible due to road construction. We will keep you updated! #burnettwoods #spring March 24, 2021 Hold onto your hats, this week’s Wildlife Wednesday video features a bevy of otters! Enjoy this glimpse of life on the river. @indiana_wildlife_fed @ourwaterways #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewednesdays #urbanpreserve #riverpreserve #wildlife #trailcam #wildlifecam #trailcamera #wildlifecamera #indianawildlife #urbanwildlife #ottersofinstagram #IndianaNature #PartnersfortheWhiteRiver #FriendsoftheWhiteRiver #IndianaWildlifeFederation #IndianaNature #IWF #WhiteRiverIN #MyWhiteRiver #ReconnectingToOurWaterways #WhiteRiverAlliance #PulliamTrust #OliversWoods #OliversWoodsNaturePreserve #NinaMasonPulliamCharitableTrust #otter #otters #CentralIndianaLandTrust #CILTI March 24, 2021 Tree ID Tuesday is back with this easy one (photo from last September). This native tree's dark colored wood was traditionally used for gun stocks, fencing, airplane propellers, and cabinetry. Its large nuts are consumed by wildlife and humans. On ideal sites it can grow up to 150 feet tall and over 8 feet in diameter. It is allelopathic, meaning it releases chemicals from its roots and other tissues that are harmful to other plants, giving the tree a competitive advantage. Also, a hard hat wouldn't be a bad idea when you walk underneath one in the fall! Know what it is? Comment with your answer and we'll let you know tomorrow who's right! #TreeIDTuesday #treeidentification #treeIDTues #nativetree #restoringtheland #naturepreserve #Land4All #natureforall #Nature4All #trees #treesforthewin #nativetreesofIndiana #treesofIndiana #TreeID #forest #forests #woods #foresthabitat #protectingland #landprotection #centralindiana #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 23, 2021 #Repost @need2gohike Thanks for trekking our trails! • • • • • • Fred and Dorothy Meyet Nature Preserve Observatory Road Took a break from the construction to squeeze in a trail on the #cilti challenge. It's a pretty walk even though nothing is coming yet, but the hills along the way will get you! I unexpectedly dropped 100 points while on the trail this morning. Always pack supplies to raise your glucose, even if it's a short trail on paper! #hikingwithdiabetes #t1dstrong #hikerbabesorg100 #trekourtrails2021 March 22, 2021 Happy World Water Day. This is a view of Sugar Mill Creek in Parke County. Late last year we finalized a conservation easement that protects this creek and 365 acres around it. Sugar Mill Creek Conservation Easement is near one of our state's best-loved state parks, Turkey Run. As we protect the land and waterways upstream of the park, we help ensure that the water flowing through that beautiful terrain remains clean and healthy for both human and wildlife benefit. Thanks to all who support this important work! #WorldWaterDay #WorldWaterDay2021 #ourwaterways #cleanwater #protectedwater #cleanwaters #cleanstream #cleanwaterway #creeksofindiana #waterwaysofindiana #ourwaterway #indianaisnotflat #conservationeasement #landprotection #ParkeCountyIndiana #conservation #centralindiana #landtrust #protectingland #myindiana #indiananature #naturalindiana #natureisbeautiful #SugarMillCreek #cleancreek #protectedhabitat #midwestnature #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 22, 2021 It's an honor to offer the Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow for important research on cancer root. Congrats to the team! #scienceinnature #Repost @franklincollegebiology • • • • • • Franklin College Congrats to @bradtow (‘21), evan_hosea (‘22), @loganrvand (‘21), @halahrose24 (‘20), and Dr. Alice Heikens, who just successfully presented their research at the 136th annual meeting of the @indianaacademyofscience #plantresearch #BeEngaged @centralindianalandtrust #blossomhollownaturepreserve March 22, 2021 You know spring is really on its way when you see your first butterfly. This Eastern comma was photographed at Meltzer Woods 10 days ago. Adult eastern commas hibernate in woodlands, emerging to take the sun in early spring. A welcome sight! Happy spring equinox to all this weekend. Wishing you many butterfly sightings. #signsofspring #welcomespring #lookdown #easterncomma #lepidoptera #butterfliesofinstagram #butterfliesofindiana #nativebutterfly #meltzerwoods #springequinox #equinox #oldgrowthforest #protectedforest #nationalnaturallandmark #springiscoming #naturesoothesthesoul #naturemoments #protectedwoods #naturepreserve #spring #protectedhabitat #habitatprotection #indianasveryown #viewsofnature #harbingerofspring #springisonitsway #awelcomesight #viewsofindiana #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 19, 2021 We're glad the rain held off for yesterday's volunteer day! Many thanks to Ron for getting down and dirty with some wintercreeper at Oliver's Woods. He was among several who took time from their week for invasive control and trash pickup at this riverine nature preserve. We appreciate all our volunteers so much. If you'd like to help out, get in touch! #ittakesavillage #volunteerday #thankyou #inappreciation #protectedwoods #naturepreserve #protectingland #landprotection #optoutside #gratitude #volunteersrock #volunteering #service #givingtime #makingadifference #getoutside #PulliamTrust #OliversWoods #NinaMasonPulliamCharitableTrust #service #volunteeroutdoors #getoutdoors #ourvolunteersrock #urbanpreserve #riverpreserve #WhiteRiverIN #MyWhiteRiver #OliversWoodsNaturePreserve #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 18, 2021 Our first volunteer event in a long long time is underway right now. Thanks to everyone who is helping take out wintercreeper, pick up litter and otherwise clean up Oliver's Woods! More opportunities to help are listed on our website (link in bio). #thankyou #inappreciation #protectedwoods #oliverswoods #naturepreserve #protectingland #landprotection #optoutside #gratitude #volunteersrock #volunteering #service #givingtime #makingadifference #getoutside #volunteering #service #volunteeroutdoors #getoutdoors #ourvolunteersrock #urbanpreserve #riverpreserve #WhiteRiverIN #MyWhiteRiver #OliversWoodsNaturePreserve #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 17, 2021 This well-camouflaged Blanchard's cricket frog is here to wish you a Happy Wildlife Wednesday and Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Maybe it's a bit of a reach, but you can see a little "wearing of the green." (Also timely with World Frog Day coming up Saturday.) According to Indiana Herp Atlas, the call of the Blanchard's cricket frog sounds like marbles clanking together. This warty-skinned critter is active from mid-March to November, day and night, and feeds on small invertebrates. It is a species of special concern in Indiana but has been found in at least two of our preserves: Browning Marsh and Mossy Point, where this one was photographed in September of last year. #wearingofthegreen #WildlifeWednesday #WildlifeWed #HappyStPatricksDay #HappyStPaddysDay #WorldFrogDay #WorldFrogDay2021 #StPatricksDay #SaintPatricksDay #blanchardscricketfrog #cricketfrog #frogsofinstagram #frogsofIndiana #protectedland #BrowningMarsh #protectedwetland #protectedwetlands #marsh #wildlife #protectedmarsh #MossyPoint #MossyPointNaturePreserve #NaturePreserve #habitat #protectedhabitat #habitatprotection #landprotection #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 17, 2021 With Sunday being International Day of Forests, we are doing something different for Tree ID Tuesday. This photo was taken at one of our publicly accessible preserves back in May of 2014. Anyone want to guess which one? Hint: it is home to forest interior species like hooded warbler, worm-eating warbler and Eastern box turtle. Photo by volunteer/supporter (and board member) Dick Miller. #namethatpreserve #TreeIDTuesday #internationaldayofforests #worldforestday #forestday #internationaldayofforests2021 #worldforestday2021 #treeIDTues #forest #foresthabitat #warblerhabitat #woodland #springscene #springforest #springiscoming #springisonitsway #signsofspring #welcomespring #natureisabalm #naturesoothesthesoul #naturemoments #spring #springtime #forestinspring #woodsinspring #protectedforest #protectedhabitat #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 16, 2021 The springlike weather of late has us eager to see wildflowers popping up! Like these harbingers of spring that came up early last spring at Burnett Woods. Found in high-quality deciduous woodlands, this early-blooming wildflower attracts little carpenter bees, mason bees and other native bees and flies. Look for these little beauties on the forest floor soon. (Just spotted one budding at Meltzer Woods... not quite open yet... soon though!) #signsofspring #welcomespring #springwildflowers #BurnettWoods #BurnettWoodsNaturePreserve #naturepreserve #MyHappyPlace #Land4All #Nature4All #NatureforAll #LandforAll #nativeplants #nativeflowers #lookdown #springiscoming #protectedwoods #protectingland #landprotection #protectedhabitat #habitatprotection #myindiana #indiananature #naturalindiana #natureisbeautiful #midwestnature #indianasveryown #viewsofnature #harbingersofspring #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 15, 2021 Our partners at @ourwaterways do so much to help people connect to the White River. Last week we gave the staff a sneak peek of Oliver's Woods, set to open this spring. Watch our social media for announcements of soft opening events. #Repost @ourwaterways • • • • • • Last week, ROW staff got a preview of the new @centralindianalandtrust property called Oliver Woods. Tucked away behind a heavily developed portion of Indianapolis, this soon-to-be opened to the public space offers a beautiful escape, diverse wildlife, flora and fauna, and what will be a new access point to the White River #PulliamPartners March 12, 2021 This Fungi Friday brought to you by beech woodwart! Our own @phillipweldy took this photo some time back at Mossy Point in Parke County. This species appears on fallen branches and rotting stumps of broad-leaf trees, mainly beeches, hence the name. #fungifriday #lookdown #fungusamongus #natureisbeautiful #naturepreserve #protectedland #MossyPointnaturepreserve #MossyPoint #mushroom #fungi #fungus #naturalarea #natureindiana #landprotection #indiananature #mushroomsofinstagram #fungiofindiana #mushroomsofindiana #fungiofinstagram #naturalindiana #midwestnature #naturephotography #conservation #environment #centralindiana #landtrust #sustainability #naturelovers #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 12, 2021 Did you know that tomorrow is National Plant a Flower Day? If you are the planting type, we hope you lean towards native flowers. It might still be a bit early to plant in our zone, so here is a Throwback Thursday of a Lilly Day of Service volunteer planting at Oliver's Woods in 2015. As we get ready to host volunteer days this spring, we are so grateful to every individual, community group, corporate team and school group whose hands have helped to shape our properties! #tbt #ThrowbackThursday #throwbackThurs #volunteer #plantnatives #plantaflowerday #nationalplantaflowerday #volunteersrule #thankyou #gratitude #volunteersrock #getoutside #volunteering #service #volunteeroutdoors #getoutdoors #optoutside #ourvolunteersrock #oliverswoods #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #naturepreserve #protectingland #landprotection #protectedhabitat #habitatprotection #conservation #centralindiana #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 11, 2021 We are back with another Wildlife Wednesday video this week! Our trail cam footage caught a raccoon invading the space of an opossum emerging from the burrow along the White River at Oliver's Woods. You can almost hear the little warning teeth-clack… @indiana_wildlife_fed @ourwaterways #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewednesdays #urbanpreserve #riverpreserve #wildlife #trailcam #possum #opossum #IndianaNature #PartnersfortheWhiteRiver #FriendsoftheWhiteRiver #IndianaWildlifeFederation #IndianaNature #IWF #WhiteRiverIN #MyWhiteRiver #ReconnectingToOurWaterways #WhiteRiverAlliance #PulliamTrust #OliversWoods #OliversWoodsNaturePreserve #NinaMasonPulliamCharitableTrust #raccoon #raccoons #CentralIndianaLandTrust #CILTI March 10, 2021 Tree ID Tuesday is back with a new test of your ID-ing skills. This member of the beech family grows up to 65 feet tall with dark gray bark that can be scaly or flat-ridged, often peeling off in large, ragged, papery curls. It provides food for wildlife such as squirrels, mice, white-tailed deer, beaver, black bear, and a variety of birds, including ducks and turkey. Its "fruit" has many traditional uses: eaten raw or cooked, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc., mixed with cereals for for making bread, or roasted and ground into a coffee substitute. Its common name refers to its typical habitat. This one was photographed in October at Oliver's Woods. Know what it is? Comment with your answer and we'll let you know tomorrow who's right! #TreeIDTuesday #treeidentification #treeIDTues #nativetree #protectedwoods #protectedforest #eaglescouts #restoringtheland #OliversWoods #naturepreserve #urbannaturepreserve #OliversWoodsNaturePreserve #Land4All #natureforall #Nature4All #trees #treesforthewin #nativetreesofIndiana #treesofIndiana #TreeID #forest #forests #woods #foresthabitat #protectingland #landprotection #centralindiana #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 9, 2021 Love seeing folks out enjoying the trails! Cute doggie nose is an extra bonus. #trekourtrails #Repost @meandaddydesign • • • • • • Hitting the trails with this guy this morning. #cilti #trekourtrails2021 March 9, 2021 Happy International Women's Day. Shown here are two-thirds of the awesome women on our staff (photo taken in 2019). We are a dedicated, creative and mighty bunch, happy to do the great work of land protection. Honoring Women's History Month, we know that we stand on the shoulders of our foremothers in the conservation world. That includes all those whose names are not well known...but who tended, loved, stewarded, advocated and cared for land. #InternationalWomensDay #InternationalWomensDay2021 #IWD2021 #WomensDay #Womeninconservation #Women #womenshistorymonth #womenshistorymonth2021 #unsungwomen #sheroes #womenshistory #Conservation #Nature #girlpower #protectingland #centralindiana #landtrust #restoringtheland #landprotection #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 8, 2021 Way to trek our trails! #Repost @blondienboots • • • • • • Indiana Sit tight; this weekend’s adventures totaled 24.5 miles + 8 properties + @hiker_babes & @hikerbabes_indiana 💚🙌🏼🤩 . . Met up with @dawnuriahcats on Thursday & checked off 3 more Preserves for @hikerbabes_indiana #hhbnaturetour2021 & @centralindianalandtrust #trekourtrails2021 - 📍Meltzer Woods & 📍Laura Hare at Blossom Hollow — we also hit up 📍Fred & Dorothy Meyer in Martinsville. (are we seeing why I called it a #tour ? 😆). While out and bopping around Central Indiana @visitindiana we also went to 📍McCloud Nature Park before finishing our day by meeting up with @schmalertons 👯♀️💚 to complete 1/2 of our @hiker_babes #hbcadventureseries2021 🌅 SUN SEEKER 🌅 by catching a beautiful sunset on our way out of @centralindianalandtrust 📍Hemlock Ridge. &&& this was just the very beginning of one of the best weekends everrrrrr 🥳🥳🥳 . . . 1️⃣ 63.1/450 #hhbacrossindiana2021 @hikerbabes_indiana @hikerbabes_northernindiana (total miles hiked in 2021=78.2!) 2️⃣ 9.6/50 @hiker_babes #hbcrainbowchaser 🌈🌈 3️⃣ 225/💯 on my HikerBabes #journeyto100andbeyond (& 24th hike of the year!) 🥾 4️⃣5,739” feet climbed - that means I’m almost up Mt. Mitchell, which is the highest point east of the Mississippi! 🏔 March 8, 2021 This mushroom from the Coprinellus genus showed up in a fallen tree at Meltzer Woods, last September. According to mushroomexpert.com, these "inky caps" are assist in the decomposition of wood, dung, grassy debris, forest litter, and so on. Their black spore prints and gills liquefy, at least partially, as the mushroom matures. The resulting "ink" provides the common name for the inky caps, and can actually be used as writing ink. #whoknew #scienceinnature #fungifriday #lookdown #indiananature #naturalindiana #natureisbeautiful #naturepreserve #protectedland #shelbycountyindiana #MeltzerWoodsNaturePreserve #MeltzerWoods #mushroom #fungi #fungus #natureindiana #landprotection #mushroomsofinstagram #fungiofindiana #mushroomsofindiana #oldgrowthforest #naturalindiana #conservation #environment #centralindiana #landtrust #myindiana #protectedwoods #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 5, 2021 March is Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month. We salute the educators and advocates who work to show girls all they can be in these fields, including in the natural sciences. Here is Franklin College biology professor Alice Heikens with a group of Girls Inc. participants at Blossom Hollow in 2018. Surely their horizons were expanded by her enthusiastic tutelage! Photo by Mary Ellen Lennon. #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ThrowbackThurs #ExpandingGirlsHorizons #ExpandingGirlsHorizonsInScienceandEngineering #ExpandingGirlsHorizonsInScienceandEngineeringMonth #futurenaturalists #STEM #WomeninSTEM #GirlsinSTEM #girlsinnature #nochildleftinside #kidsandnature #kidsinnatur #getthemoutside #girlsandnature #BlossomHollow #BlossomHollowNaturePreserve #NaturePreserve #TheLauraHarePreserveatBlossomHollow #expandinghorizons #outdooreducation #GirlsInc #womennaturalists #FranklinCollege #scienceinnature #outdoorstudies #naturestudies #centralindianalandtrust #cilti March 4, 2021
Filter CategoriesAllNewsroomSort By DateTitleDate April 16, 2021 Celebrating the Forever Promise Second in a series on the Trek our Trails Challenge by guest blogger Ben Valentine It’s finally spring and I feel... April 7, 2021 Finding Home in Meltzer Woods First in a series on the Trek our Trails Challenge by guest blogger Ben Valentine “The word ecology is derived... March 31, 2021 Her Eyes Had It Maria Sibylla Merian was only 13 when she learned to trust her eyes. The young German girl had been...
