WhiteRiverBluffs-13 (1)
White River Bluffs, by Daniel Woody
A Conservation Hero: Stacy Cachules
Written By: Shawndra Miller
Date Published: September 15, 2026
Shawndra Miller
A great thought partner. A trusted colleague. A joyful spirit.
These are some of the ways people describe Stacy Cachules, former COO of Central Indiana Land Trust. This spring, Stacy left our team after 15 years to assume leadership of the River Network, a national nonprofit.
She made a lasting mark on our organization.
Josh Christie
Former board president Josh Christie first served on the board of directors in 2014 and is now back on the board. He saw Stacy grow from her earliest roles into a key leader.
“Stacy has always been a rock. An incredibly solid voice in whatever room she is in, which has been a big benefit to CILTI. She has been a great thought partner and really helped the organization move to the next level. When we needed to figure out how to support or execute on a big idea, Stacy was always right there. It has also been remarkable to watch her grow with the organization and her role as it all expanded from where it was when we started to where CILTI is today.
I’ve personally always loved her positive approach – it is hard to leave a conversation or meeting with Stacy without a smile on your face.
You can look at where we were in any respect when Stacy started and where we are today, and it is almost across the board unimaginable! None of that would have happened without Stacy’s contributions to the team. We would not be here without her contribution and her mark will be part of our legacy deep into the future. We should be truly grateful for all of her contributions and incredibly excited for her next chapter.”
Stacy and Priscilla
Priscilla Johnson, another former board member, bonded with Stacy over the love of nature and became a close friend.
“Stacy jumped into her position at CILTI with both feet and it has been wonderful to share her skill development as the years passed. Her imagination and ‘can do’ attitude opened many doors for the organization and its steady growth!
She is really good at making personal contact, which is crucial in today’s technical world. She was always so passionate about CILTI and the properties and the work that was being done. She believed strongly in the mission of saving the best of Indiana to last!
She was the heart of the organization in so many ways. That smile of hers!”
Shawndra and Stacy
Shawndra Miller, CILTI communications director, worked closely with Stacy for eight years.
“Stacy stepped into the breach when my hiring manager resigned within months of bringing me on as CILTI’s first communications specialist. As my new manager, she made sure I knew she was available for any questions or concerns about my developing role with the organization. She really took me under her wing.
As the months and years went on, I realized what a caring and insightful manager she was, and I counted myself lucky to work for her. Her people-first mentality extended to CILTI staff as well as donors, stakeholders, and friends of the land trust. I appreciated her support and encouragement over the years as the scope of my position expanded.
I’m grateful that Stacy didn’t go far, and that we can still connect in person. Not only do I appreciate her good counsel; it’s simply a blessing to know her.”
Stacy and Andrea
Andrea Huntington, executive director of Indiana Land Protection Alliance, first met Stacy while interviewing for her current position. Stacy continues to serve on the statewide organization’s board of directors.
“Stacy is always willing to share her knowledge and expertise. She sees that bigger vision of our community, and why it’s so important to have these relationships with each other. She’s a very trusted person. She was always open if someone needed help, very generous with her time and expertise.
Everyone who knows her is not just her colleague but her friend. She’s so thoughtful. The word trust comes up over and over.
ILPA has grown a lot, and a lot of that has to do with Stacy’s guidance. She helped make introductions as we built relationships with foundations and other stakeholders. She was instrumental in helping us to grow sustainably. And she was always open, even to what might seem like big crazy ideas.
As land trusts think more about water and water quality’s direct impact on the land we protect, the River Network ties into that landscape-level vision. We’re weaving together great organizations doing adjacent work in a more wholistic way.”
Mary Callaghan
Assistant Outreach Biologist, International Crane Foundation
Mary Callaghan is an Assistant Outreach Biologist for the International Crane Foundation. Her work aims to educate Indiana communities on Whooping and Sandhill cranes, their habitats, and how we can all work together to mitigate threats that these birds face. She is responsible for monitoring populations of these species on their wintering grounds across Indiana, most importantly tracking movements of the endangered Whooping Crane. Her Golden Hour presentation was one of our most popular events of 2026.
Ben Valentine
Guest Blogger
Ben Valentine is a founding member of the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve and is active in several other conservation organizations. He leads a series of NUVO interviews with Indiana's environmental leaders, and he cherishes showing his son all the wonders of nature he grew up loving.
DJ Connors
Guest Blogger
DJ Connors, a Central Indiana native and late-to-life hunter, combines a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors with a deep passion for exploring the natural beauty of the area he has called home for most of his life. As a husband and father of three, he is committed to ensuring his children have the same opportunities to connect with nature and appreciate the outdoors in their community. DJ’s unique journey into hunting emphasizes sustainability, responsible stewardship, and the importance of preserving these experiences for future generations.
Bridget Walls
Guest Blogger
Bridget is our first ever Communications and Outreach Intern. She is a graduate of Marian University, where she combined English, studio art, and environmental sciences in her degree studies. As treasurer for Just Earth, the university's environmental club, she helped plan events encouraging a responsible relationship between people, nature, and animals.
Jordan England
Guest Blogger
Jordan England is a lifelong Shelby County resident who graduated from Waldron Jr. Sr. High School (just a few miles from Meltzer Woods!). After earning her B.S. degree in Retail Management from Purdue University, she returned to Waldron to start a family with her husband, Brian. Together they have 3 young children and enjoy sharing with them their love of the community. Jordan is the Grants and Nonprofit Relations Director at Blue River Community Foundation, managing BRCF’s grant program, providing support to local nonprofits, and promoting catalytic philanthropy in Shelby County.
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.
Ryan Fuhrmann
Board Chair
Ryan C. Fuhrmann, CFA, is President and founder of Fuhrmann Capital LLC, an Indiana-based investment management firm focused on portfolio management. Ryan’s interest in land conservation centers around a desire to help preserve natural habitats for wildlife and the subsequent benefits it brings to people and the environment.
Joanna Nixon
Board Member
Joanna Nixon is the owner of Nixon Consulting, an Indianapolis-based strategy and project management firm focused on the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as the Philanthropic Advisor for the Efroymson Family Fund. Prior to opening her consulting practice in 2000, Joanna was vice-president for grantmaking at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Joanna has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and arts and culture sector. She is passionate about the environment and loves bringing big ideas to life and creating high-quality arts and culture programs and experiences. Joanna enjoys outdoor adventures, including competing in fitness obstacle course races and hiking with her high energy Australian Cattle Dog, Jackson.
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.
David Barickman
Director of Advancement
Born and raised in Central Illinois, David spent many days as a child wandering around the river, forest and lakes there. Now he enjoys working with CILTI donors, helping them to protect nature through their giving. When not working, David loves to be outdoors hiking, fly fishing, kayaking or woodworking.
Jamison Hutchins
Stewardship Director
Jamison leads our stewardship team in caring for the land that is so important to you. He comes to our team after eight years as Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the city of Indianapolis, where his work had a positive impact from both health and environmental perspectives.
Robert McCrea
Land Protection Director
Robert grew up in Bloomington, IN, where he opted for exploring the hills of southern Indiana rather than the expected high school extracurricular pursuits. This formative time set the tone for his career in conservation. Most recently, Robert was an attorney at Conservation Law Center and provided counsel to land trusts and conservation partnerships throughout Indiana. As CILTI's Land Protection Director, he works to protect Central Indiana’s remaining natural areas.
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. She is accredited in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America, and loves to camp and hike in perfect weather conditions.
Shawndra Miller
Communications Director
Shawndra’s earliest writing projects centered around the natural world, starting when a bird inspired her to write her first “book” in elementary school. Now she 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.
Phillip Weldy
Stewardship Manager
Phillip enjoys nature’s wonders from an up-close-and-personal perspective as he works to restore the natural places you love. As an AmeriCorps member in Asheville, NC, he had his first full immersion in relatively undisturbed land while reconstructing wilderness trails in National Parks and National Forests.
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If you have a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), you already know it’s a powerful way to support the causes you love. Many people use DAFs because they’re simple and flexible. Not to mention a great way to maximize giving.
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Guest post by Vanessa Armstrong, founder of the free library nonprofit Hoosier Landmarks for Learning and granddaughter of Philip Meltzer The story of Meltzer Woods begins with John Frederick Meltzer, a German immigrant who purchased the initial 160 acres of Shelby County farmland in 1857. While most 19th-century settlers [...]
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Have you ever been walking through woods and thought to yourself, “How old are these trees?” Me too!
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