Shumard Oak at Meltzer Woods enews Apr 2020
Shumard Oak at Meltzer Woods
Forest that existed before Columbus came to America to be preserved for public enjoyment
Written By: Jen Schmits Thomas
Date Published: November 5, 2014
Jen Schmits Thomas
Meltzer Woods in Shelby County was state’s last unprotected old-growth forest
SHELBYVILLE, IND. (November 5, 2014) – The Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust has provided the leadership gift allowing the Central Indiana Land Trust Inc. (CILTI) to buy and forever protect and preserve Indiana’s last unprotected old-growth forest, Meltzer Woods.
“Meltzer Woods is a very special place,” said CILTI Executive Director Cliff Chapman. “There aren’t many places where Hoosiers can visit and see huge old trees that predate Indiana’s statehood and in this case, the birth of our nation.”
By definition, old-growth forests include trees more than 150 years old and have been relatively undisturbed for a century. Located 35 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, Meltzer Woods will open to the public in 2016 for hiking and enjoying nature.
While the Bicentennial Nature Trust provided $274,000 to CILTI, other major contributors are The Herbert Simon Family Foundation ($60,500), Blue River Community Foundation ($30,000), Indiana Heritage Trust ($14,000) and the Meltzer Family, who offered the property well below market price along with a gift of $10,000.
Those contributions allowed CILTI to purchase 60 acres from Phil Meltzer, who was born and grew up in a house on the property, and his children.
“We are forever indebted to Phil Meltzer and his family,” said Chapman. “Their stewardship of the land for more than 157 years and their generosity in selling it at well below market price will ensure that it is protected from future development.”
The Meltzer family have owned this parcel since 1857, when John Frederick Meltzer, Phil’s great-grandfather, bought 160 acres of farm land. Over the years, the family added to the property, putting together a 280-acre farming operation where, today, Phil Meltzer and his son-in-law farm soybeans and corn – except on the stand of ancient timber that the family has left virtually untouched for generations. It’s a short walk from the house where Phil was born in 1926.
In 1928, Phil’s father, Brady Meltzer registered the land as part of Indiana’s Classified Forest Program, meaning he agreed not to graze livestock among the trees. In 1945, the land came to the attention of conservationists as the family cooperated with a Butler University study. Over the next few decades, Meltzer Woods continued to be watched and studied. Trees on the property were regularly cited as “state champions.”
In 1973, Meltzer Woods was designated a National Natural Landmark. In 1999, Chapman, who was then an ecologist with the Indiana Division of Nature Preserves, visited the site for the first time – and was immediately smitten and became dedicated to preserving what had already been identified as one of the state’s few remaining old-growth forests.
Chapman continued his connection to the property over the years, and has worked since joining the Land Trust on efforts to ensure its long-term protection. In 2008, the Land Trust’s relationship with the Meltzer family led to a stewardship agreement allowing the Land Trust to work to combat invasives and maintain the forest. Hundreds of volunteers have spent time on the land, Chapman says, having considerable success in controlling the invasive winter creeper and garlic mustard that threatened the character of the woods.
The Bicentennial Nature Trust is a statewide project of the Bicentennial Commission. It aims to expand trails, conservation areas and recreation sites to help celebrate Indiana’s 200 years of statehood in 2016. Indiana’s state park system was created during the state centennial celebration in 1916, and the BNT is meant to provide a similar conservation legacy.
The state obligated $20 million for BNT projects, and the Lilly Endowment contributed a further $10 million to the effort. Money from the fund is matched no less than $1:1 with the local project sponsor. To date, the Bicentennial Commission has approved 104 projects, 48 of which are complete resulting in the protection of more than 8 square miles. For more information, visit www.in.gov/naturetrust.
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.
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.
Ryan Fuhrmann
Vice 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
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.
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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