News

Weft fern at Fern Station

Rare plant discovered at Fern Station in Putnam County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Weft fern confirms uniqueness of the nature preserve

A team of natural scientists recently discovered a rare plant at Fern Station, the new nature preserve that the Central Indiana Land Trust (CILTI) purchased last year. Weft fern is a state-endangered species that grows on rocks, caves, and sheltered crevices. The scientists found the specimen during a plant inventory of the 570-acre forest west of Greencastle in Putnam County. Continue reading

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.
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Meltzer Woods photo by Jordan England

Nature as Self-Care

It will come as no surprise to CILTI members and supporters: Nature—and forests in particular—can heal us. Physicians and mental health professionals the world over recognize this. Many have begun to prescribe nature walks to their patients. Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

Shawndra 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.
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Rough blazing star

Land Trust buys 14 acres to expand Baseline Barrens Nature Preserve in Washington County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Acquisition will add to DNR property, help to preserve globally rare habitat

The Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI) has closed on the purchase of a 14-acre parcel adjacent to Baseline Barrens Nature Preserve near Fredericksburg in Washington County.

Continue reading

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.
HI1568313142
Phil Schaefer at Meltzer Woods

“Why I Support CILTI”: The Rescuer

Our Make-a-Will-Month series continues with a profile of Phil Schaefer, who named our organization in his will.

Phil Schaefer not only has supported CILTI in the past as our Special Projects Coordinator, he also is a longtime volunteer—and a member of the Burr Oak Society. “I strongly believe in preserving the environment and especially natural places,” he says. “I love the concept of preserving these spaces and this land forever, for future generations to enjoy.” Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

Shawndra 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.
HI1568313142
Reta and Robert have moved away from Indiana, but still support CILTI. Reta is shown here near Crested Butte, CO.

“A Chance to Grow”

Our Make-a-Will-Month series continues with longtime member Reta Rutledge sharing why she and her husband, Robert, decided to name our organization in their wills. Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

Shawndra 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.
HI1568313142
Meltzer Woods photo by Kyle Doles

A Heart for Nature

In honor of National Make-a-Will Month, we want to honor our Burr Oak Society members. These dedicated individuals have included the land trust in their estate plans. But Central Indiana Land Trust is not the true beneficiary. Indiana’s natural spaces are. Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

Shawndra 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.
HI1568313142
Oliver's Woods photo by Kate Huston

Protecting Forests for Clean Water

Water Quality Month spurs us to take a look at the health of our most precious resource. We often focus on the importance of wetlands in filtering drinking water. But here’s a surprising partner in protecting a clean water supply: Forests. Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

Shawndra 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.
HI1568313142
Sapling no. 1

From “Sapling No. 1” to Today

An Update on our Tree Planting Pledge

In May of 2020, our stewardship crew placed a small red flag in the ground. The bare sticklike plant next to it was marked sapling #1.

Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

Shawndra 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.
HI1568313142
Wilson's warbler, one of the birds that may be renamed

What’s in a Name?

Today is Juneteenth. The federal holiday celebrates the day in 1865 when Union troops told the remaining enslaved people they were emancipated.

As we mark this day in our nation’s past, it’s a good time to consider an aspect of history reflected in our conservation work. The common names of countless species reflect our nation’s racist past.

Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

Shawndra 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.
HI1568313142
Young Eastern box turtle at Betley Woods, by Karen Wade

Double your Impact this Summer!

We have some exciting news. The Herbert Simon Family Foundation has generously offered a matching grant to support our mission. Every dollar you donate by September 1, 2024, will be matched up to $50,000. Continue reading

Shawndra Miller

Communications Manager

Shawndra 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.
HI1568313142