Trees “Ring” with Historical and Ecological Data
Have you ever been walking through woods and thought to yourself, “How old are these trees?” Me too! […]
Central Indiana Land Trust’s forested wetlands helped reduce flooding along the White River
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thousands of trees planted slowed water’s flow along the river during flooding The Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) has spent two decades saving forested wetlands and planting thousands of trees in three areas along the White River in Hamilton County that aid in slowing down [...]
CILTI rolling out the welcome mat for endangered bats
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Preserve expansion will create additional breeding and nursing habitat for two federally endangered species […]
Planning a Prescribed Burn: Safety, Science, and Stewardship
The conservation community, including land trusts like CILTI, increasingly uses prescribed fire as a key restoration tool. Each prescribed burn is designed to achieve specific objectives. Planning a prescribed burn involves careful consideration of site conditions, safety, and effectiveness. […]
Bee Community Survey at Betley Woods
Have you been out for a hike at this beautiful preserve and come across a pair of hanging wooden boxes with tubes stuffed in them? Maybe you thought, “What the heck is going on here?” Well, you’re in luck, because the answer is simple. Bees! […]
2025 Year in Review
2025 Year in Review Thanks to your generosity, in 2025, CILTI: Saved Broken Cliff, a 2.6-acre site above Clifty Creek in Bartholomew County. The broken limestone that gives the site its name hosts the largest population of critically imperiled spreading rock cress (Arabis patens) in the world. [...]
The Secret Lives of Fairy Shrimp
When you’re walking in the woods in the spring, it’s clear that life is all around you. Giant trees tower above you. The birds sing with their melodious voices. At your feet, ephemeral flowers bloom in radiant hues of color. Surrounded by beauty, it’s easy to be captivated by [...]
A Scientist’s Early Connection to the Land
George Washington Carver was born into slavery in southwest Missouri around 1864. Much of his early life remains undocumented. But he often recalled a deep connection to plants. It was a bond that would shape his future as a pioneering botanist and educator. […]
Leaving a Legacy for the Future
Guest post by board member John Bacone When you think about future generations, what do you hope they inherit? I think about this all the time; you probably do as well. We grew up in a world where we had fresh air, clean water, and woodlands and parks to [...]
You Can Help Protect Reservoirs of Biological Diversity
Our board member, John Bacone, reflects on conserving key natural areas. He led the Department of Natural Resources Division of Nature Preserves for over four decades. Years ago, when I was working in the Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves (DNP), I asked Bob Waltz, the State Entomologist, how [...]
