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Autumn at Glacier's End
New spider species discovered at Johnson County nature preserve
Written By: Jen Schmits Thomas
Date Published: December 5, 2016
Jen Schmits Thomas
Release Date: Dec. 5, 2016
97 acres added to Glacier’s End Nature Preserve
As it announces the closing of a purchase that adds 97 acres to the Glacier’s End Nature Preserve, the Central Indiana Land Trust is also celebrating the discovery of a new species on that land.
With the additional land, the Glacier’s End Nature Preserve, a chunk of Johnson County property the Land Trust protected earlier this year, now covers 300 acres. This brings to nearly 700 acres the total amount of Johnson County terrain protected by the Land Trust, which has protected 4,700 acres overall.
Glacier’s End Nature Preserve sits adjacent to two other properties protected by the Central Indiana Land Trust: the Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow and Bob’s Woods Conservation Easement. Together, these properties create a swath of protected contiguous interior forest that provides a home to a variety of native flora and fauna.
It also serves as home to a newly discovered species of spider. University of Indianapolis Professor Marc Milne discovered it on the property while participating in a “bioblitz,” an intensive inventory of plants, animals and fungi. The spiders – tentatively being called Orenoetides sp. since they’re from the genus of the same name – are around 2.5 millimeters in size and live in leaf litter. They add to a number of new and endangered species recently found to be living in the southwest Johnson County area dubbed by the Land Trust as the Hills of Gold Core Conservation Area.
“While some scientists are exploring outer space, it’s amazing to think that we’re still discovering new things on earth, like new species of spiders right here in Central Indiana. The discovery highlights why this type of land protection is necessary,” said Cliff Chapman, executive director of the Central Indiana Land Trust. “There is still so much to be discovered in the natural areas that surround us, but it will all remain undiscovered if we fail to protect those areas.”
Adding 97 acres to the Glacier’s End Nature Preserve helps to create an even bigger buffer around the forest interior habitat the Central Indiana Land Trust is trying to protect – and that results in greater protection to the flora and fauna that live in that habitat.
“Studies have found that box turtle nests within 100 feet of a forest edge can have zero percent productivity – every egg is eaten by predators,” Chapman said. “Some birds suffer a similar fate. By adding land, and in the near future, planting trees in open areas, we protect the habitats that allow those animals to survive.”
The Land Trust plans to open the Glacier’s End Nature Preserve for public access after building trails, educational signage and parking areas big enough for school buses.
Purchasing the additional acreage was possible through support from the following partners: the Amos Butler Audubon Society, Central Indiana Community Foundation, The Conservation Fund, Efroymson Family Fund, Herbert Simon Family Foundation, Hougham family, Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust, Indiana Heritage Trust (through environmental license plates), Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society, Johnson family, Johnson County Community Foundation, Lamb family, Robert and Gayle Meyer Family Fund, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and members of the Central Indiana Land Trust.
For information on sites open now, visit www.ConservingIndiana.org.
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About the Central Indiana Land Trust
CILTI preserves the best of Central Indiana’s natural areas, protecting plants and animals, so Hoosiers can experience the wonder of the state’s natural heritage. Since it was created in 1990, CILTI has protected more than 4,700 acres of land that meet science-based criteria for conservation value.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jen Schmits Thomas, jen@jtprinc.com, 317-441-2487
INTERVIEW SOURCES:
Cliff Chapman, Executive Director, Central Indiana Land Trust
Dr. Marc Milne, Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Indianapolis
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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