Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve
Central Indiana Land Trust buys 55 acres in Morgan County
Written By: Jen Schmits Thomas
Date Published: October 22, 2012
Jen Schmits Thomas
Central Indiana Land Trust buys 55 acres in Morgan County
Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve will be open for public use
Approximately 55 acres of pristine land south of Mooresville between S.R. 67 and Observatory Road will be preserved forever thanks to a generous gift from a retired businessman to the Central Indiana Land Trust.
The Central Indiana Land Trust, which works to conserve and protect natural areas that Hoosiers hold dear, has purchased the 55 acres and will ensure that it is protected from future development and open for public use.
The purchase was made possible by a significant donation from Bob Meyer and his family. The Meyers recommended a grant, from the Robert R. and Gayle T. Meyer Family Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, toward the purchase. Bob’s father, Fred Meyer, served on the board of the Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy and was instrumental in getting the state’s first dedicated Nature Preserve established in 1969. The 55-acre Morgan County property is now part of the Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve.
Described as “quintessential Morgan County,” the nature preserve is special for a number of reasons. First, the property is part of the Long Ridge Core Conservation Area and is “core forest” as part of the Land Trust’s Greening the Crossroads plan, a science-based strategic conservation plan that was created with input from stakeholders throughout the region. Second, part of the preserve was already protected by the Land Trust, the 14-acre Shalom Woods that was donated by the Cohen family in the 1990s.
Perhaps even more significant, though, the property includes some of the northernmost region of Indiana that was not covered by glaciers. As a result, the land features ridges unique to the area. Fortunately, while the land has been harvested for timber, the logging was done in a sustainable way and the ridges remain intact.
In addition, the land comprises large forest blocks unbroken by roads and a forest interior habitat that serves as home to rare native species like the hooded and worm-eating warblers, and Eastern Box Turtle, as well as the state endangered cerulean warbler.
“It’s only 20 miles from the heart of Indianapolis, and you can see an endangered species there,” said Bob Meyer.
Not only do rare species live on this land, they are sufficient enough in number to sustain a population of the species.
“That’s especially important because we want to ensure that the land is sustainable and these unique inhabitants are there for many future generations to enjoy,” said Cliff Chapman, conservation director at the Land Trust.
The Land Trust is in the process of creating a pull-off area for parking and installing a sign so that visitors may enjoy the land.
“We’re pleased that the Land Trust will maintain this property and provide it as a natural resource for all of us in Morgan County to use,” said Kenny Hale, Morgan County plan director and president of the County Council.
As part of creating the Fred and Dorothy Meyer Preserve, the Land Trust worked with the Indiana Heritage Trust, which also contributed to the purchase with a grant funded by the sale of environmental license plates. This partnership with the state and the quality of the property will help it become a state-dedicated Nature Preserve. When it is dedicated, it will be one of the more than 220 Nature Preserves in the state that will remain protected forever.
About the Central Indiana Land Trust
Through land protection, stewardship and education, the Central Indiana Land Trust preserves natural areas, improving air and water quality and enhancing life in our communities for present and future generations. It was created in 1990.
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Media contact: Jen Thomas, jen@jtprinc.com, 317-441-2487
Cliff Chapman, cchapman@ConservingIndiana.org, 317-631-LAND
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.
Stacy Cachules
Chief Operating Officer
Among her many key duties as Assistant Director, Stacy has the critical task of tracking our budget, making sure we channel donations for maximum efficiency. When her workday’s done, Stacy loves to spend time with her two young boys—and when not traveling, she’s likely planning the next travel adventure.
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
Development Systems Manager
Born and raised in Central Illinois, David spent many days as a child wandering around the river, forest and lakes there. He works behind the scenes as a key member of our fundraising team. 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.
Ben Miller
Land Protection Coordinator
Ben is excited to have officially joined the CILTI team, after many years of collaboration in partner organizations. He spent ten years of his environmental career with the Indiana DNR: Division of Fish & Wildlife, first as a Fisheries Biologist and most recently leading the Healthy Rivers Initiative (one of the state’s largest land protection projects).
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 Specialist
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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