A 103-acre property in Goshen (Elkhart County) previously used as a quarry. It contains an 83-acre lake with 20 acres of shoreline. Plans call for the addition of open-air pavilions, bicycle parking and picnic areas.

Purchase of the Columbia Mine tract, a 1,043-acre site in Gibson and Pike counties that shares more than three miles of boundary with the Patoka National Wildlife Refuge and forms a connection between two large parcels owned by the refuge. The site features marsh, forested wetlands, upland forests, shrub and prairie plantings and several lakes.

Purchase of 160 acres in Jasper County to connect separated tracts of the Stoutsburg Savanna Nature Preserve. Considered a priority acquisition site for 30 years, it features rolling sand dunes covered with black oak and former prairies.

Purchase of a 43-acre site to expand Brammall Nature Preserve on Pigeon Pond in Steuben County. The site contains wetlands, upland forests and floodplain.

The addition of 97 acres in the southwest corner of Oak Ridge Prairie County Park in Griffith to construct a non-motorized bike trail connecting with the two longest and busiest trail corridors in northwest Indiana—the Erie Lackawanna and Oak Savannah trails.

Purchase and restoration of 38 acres in Hamilton County surrounded by an existing 41-acre park donated to the Washington Township Parks & Recreation Department in 1999 by the family of Shelia Beals MacGregor.

Purchase of 69 acres in the southeast area of Salamonie Lake in Huntington County. The site, known as the Priddy Tract, will provide convenient access for Salamonie users as well as additional opportunities for hunting, wildlife viewing and nature study.

Purchase of portions of the former Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad corridor to be developed as a multipurpose trail between Kendallville and Rome City in Noble County.

Purchase of 7.3 miles of the former Pennsylvania Railroad/Vandalia Railroad corridor between Greencastle and Reelsville in Putnam County for a proposed multipurpose trail.

Extension of the proposed B&O Trail in Hendricks County. The rail-to-trail project eventually will extend 65 miles through Marion, Hendricks, Putnam and Parke counties.

Purchase of 83 acres of Maumee River frontage in Allen County that contains upland forest, flood plain, ravines, 30-foot bluffs and agricultural fields.

Purchase of 15 acres adjacent to Luhr County Park in LaPorte County. The site includes oak-hickory woods and forested wetlands, plus fallow agriculture fields targeted for wetland and prairie restoration.

A 359-acre addition to Shades State Park in Montgomery County consisting of 262 acres of mature, second-growth hardwood forest and 97 acres of warm-season grass plantings. The tract includes the northern portion of two entrenched ravines that drain into the park and Sugar Creek.

A 704-acre upland forest with oak, hickory and mixed hardwood trees adjacent to an existing Yellowwood State Forest tract of 490 acres in Brown County. The site was purchased previously by The Nature Conservancy as part of its Brown County Hills Project.

A 69-acre tract in Wayne County featuring an upper slope ravine forest and forested bluff with a small pond, springs and agricultural remnants.

Purchase of a 167-acre site in Union and Wayne counties that contains 120 tillable acres, 47 acres of woodlands, streams, wetlands, and a two-acre gravel and sand beach.

The addition of 16 acres to Wilderness Park, increasing the Hartford City park’s size to 40 acres.

A 144-acre secluded retreat on the banks of the Ohio River in Perry County that will be managed by the DNR Division of State Parks & Reservoirs. The property near Rome is surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest and features three log cabins, limestone and sandstone outcroppings, and cliffs that overlook the Ohio River.

Purchase of 20 acres on the border of Tippecanoe and Warren counties that includes bluffs 100 feet above the floodplain of the Wabash River. The site lies between NICHES’ Black Rock Nature Preserve and Ross Hills, owned by the Purdue Research Foundation and the Tippecanoe County Parks Department.

Purchase of a 20-acre wooded parcel that includes a half-acre pond and is documented as the county’s first park.

Purchase of a two-acre site with 400 feet of shoreline on Pine Lake, a 564-acre lake in LaPorte.

Purchase of a 44-acre site that includes 20 acres of wetland adjacent to Dallas Lake County Park.

Purchase of 140 acres—including 54 acres of forested wetlands—near Chili (Miami County) that contains Flowers Creek and more than 1,000 feet of frontage on the Eel River.

Purchase of 110 forested acres in Allen County with 1,200 feet of shoreline on Lake Everett, the county’s only natural lake. Included is a two-acre bog that is home to a state-endangered salamander.

Purchase of 64 acres in Porter County formerly operated as Camp Meadowbrook, located along the north slope of the Valparaiso Moraine, which is part of the biologically important Moraine forest. A variety of habitats and natural communities are found at the site—upland forest, a deep ravine along a stream, mixed-age woodlands, reclaimed cropland, shrub lands, scattered patches of evergreens, and a forested wetland.

Purchase of two parcels totaling five acres as additions to an existing 728-acre park in Lake County. One is a 4.5-acre dry mesic sand forest and the half-acre plot is shrub swamp. The additions will enhance connections to the Oak Savannah Trail Corridor north of the park and protect an in-holding of rare plant communities.

Purchase of 122 acres around Big Center Lake on the west edge of Angola in Steuben County. The site will be developed as a nature preserve and passive recreation site for hiking, bird watching, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Purchase of a 4.94-acre lot in Madison (Jefferson County) that includes Ohio River frontage and land on either side of the existing Heritage Trail. Acquisition will allow expansion of a public park along the entry to the Heritage Trail.

Purchase of 179 acres of upland forest along Lincoln State Park’s south and west boundary in Spencer County. Acquisition of this maturing forest increases the park’s size by 10 percent and protects the western boundary of the Sarah Lincoln Nature Preserve located within the park.

Purchase of 121.1 acres of upland forest land on a west facing slope lying between Morgan-Monroe State Forest on the east, and Monroe Reservoir to the west. This area receives a large amount of recreation usage, including gathering, hunting and wildlife viewing. This project is located in Monroe County.

Purchase of 73.4 acres of upland forest land that includes a long bluff overlooking a quarter mile of frontage along the Blue River in Harrison County. This section of the Blue River is well known for its scenic qualities and draws heavy recreational use including sport fishing and canoeing. This property is located immediately downstream of the historic Rothrock Mill site.

Purchase of a 23.13-acre tract immediately east of the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site in Noble County. The property is entirely within the original tract of land owned by the renowned author and naturalist. It consists primarily of marginal agricultural ground with several pockets of wooded drainage and wetlands. The northeast corner of the property slopes down to the edge of Sylvan Lake.

Purchase of 119 acres of low-lying ground adjacent to the Wabash River in Adams County. The property includes several old Wabash meanders and areas of old growth forest containing large oak, hickory, sycamore, cottonwood, ash, shrubs and other wetland species. This acquisition links two other properties owned by Friends of the Limberlost and provides for the expansion of the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Trail.

Purchase of 57.4 acres located in LaPorte County. This property represents the last large assemblage of unprotected dune communities in Indiana. It links a 1.2-mile corridor of existing conservation lands located within a quarter mile of the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Acquisition of a 10.36 acre partially wooded lot adjacent to the western park boundary of Clifty Falls State Park. This purchase will provide a buffer for the Clifty Canyon Nature Preserve and would protect the canyon viewshed. Additionally, this property would enable park staff to access the midpoint of Trail #8 for maintenance and emergency purposes. This acquisition is located in Jefferson County.

Purchase of 11.28 acres of land formerly associated with the Big Four Railroad for the purpose of constructing a trail. The corridor is 1.7 miles long and is part of the Farm Heritage Trail which will eventually connect Zionsville with Lafayette. This acquisition is located in Boone County.

Purchase of 1.7 miles of abandoned rail corridor, including bridges across Pipe Creek and Taylor Creek. The Town of Converse will construct a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail with associated trailheads and access sites. The trail will connect Converse with Oak Hill High School in Mier. This acquisition is located in Grant and Miami Counties.

Acquisition of a 1.3-mile corridor (formerly the Peoria and Eastern Railroad) totaling 7.93 acres for the purpose of developing a trail. The trail corridor runs alongside Crawfordsville Road, a key gateway to Indianapolis. The southeast terminus of the trail corridor links with the recently completed Main Street Speedway redevelopment project at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Long-term plans include connecting this acquisition with the Eagle Creek Trail and the B&O Trail to create a loop within the Town of Speedway. This acquisition is located in Marion County.

Acquisition of 15.5 acres of abandoned rail corridor to facilitate a trail through the town of Rockville in Parke County. The project will connect several isolated pieces of property already owned by the trail group. Long-term plans call for expansion of the trail to Rockville Lake Park to create a safe avenue for children to reach the soccer fields and additional recreational opportunities.

Purchase of a 60-acre parcel directly adjacent to Strawtown Koteewi Park. The property is a mix of forest, wetland, and farm fields targeted for prairie restoration. The wetlands lie in an old oxbow of the White River.

Purchase of 130 acres of second growth hardwood forest in Brown County. The property includes Brown Hill, a prominent ridge with views that extend for several miles. The northern boundary of the property is formed by the North Fork of Salt Creek. The property contains examples of five of the six major forest community types found in Brown County, including three types of dry-mesic.

Acquisition of 19.5 acres of mature upland forest located within the city limits of Angola, containing approximately four acres of designated wetlands. ACRES Land Trust will develop a primitive loop trail and small parking lot on the property to accommodate hikers and birdwatchers. This acquisition is located in Steuben County.

Purchase of 84 acres of upland hardwood forest. The majority of the land is comprised of east, south and north facing slopes around an intermittent stream. The property is located in Owen County and will be managed as part of the Owen-Putnam State Forest.

Acquisition of an abandoned railroad corridor in Grant County to develop a multi-use trail connecting Sweetser to Mier and the Oak Hill school complex, further extending the Cardinal Greenway trail system. The acquisition is composed of a series of parcels along a linear corridor totaling 6.41 acres.

Purchase of a 9-acre wooded lot adjacent to Salomon Farm Park in Allen County. This natural area includes a wooded wetland and low-land forest. Acquisition of the property will allow for the expansion of Salomon Farm Park’s existing trail network and provide interpretative opportunities to demonstrate the role of timber lots in early 20th Century agriculture.

Adds 87 acres to the Spring Creek Seeps Nature Preserve (currently 40 acres) in Montgomery County to protect an outstanding wetland complex of very high natural integrity. It features a large fen contained within a glacial outwash valley surrounded by rolling uplands of oak and hickory. A small groundwater-fed tributary stream empties through the property into the nearby Sugar Creek. This addition is considered critical to the long-term viability of the nature preserve.

A 23-acre addition to Chinook Fish and Wildlife Area in Clay County. Acquisition of the property will expand opportunities for hunting, trapping, bird watching and other recreational activities.

Acquisition of 77 acres of upland forested wildlife habitat to Splinter Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area in Jefferson County. Management of the property will focus on invasive vegetation control, soil conservation to promote water quality, and increased outdoor recreation opportunities.

Adds 40 acres of upland wildlife habitat to the Game Bird Habitat Area in Benton County. The tract will complement existing Indiana Fish and Wildlife property and provide additional recreational and hunting opportunities.

Purchase of 41 acres of freshwater forested/shrub wetland along the floodplain of the Wabash River adjacent to the southern portion of Fairbanks Land Fish & Wildlife Area in Sullivan County. Acquisition of the property will provide for the construction of a boat ramp to provide public access to the river.

Acquires 343 acres along Sugar Creek in Parke County. Acquisition of this parcel completes a 1,200-acre block of protected conservation lands. Topographically, the property is similar to Turkey Run State Park, with rare geological and ecological features.

Acquisition of two parcels totaling 95 acres of forest in Monroe County. The properties are typical of the steep topography found in the Brown County Hills region. The parcels adjoin Morgan-Monroe State Forest, and together share over ½ mile of boundary with the state.

Acquisition of four parcels (12 acres) to further the state visionary Pufferbelly Trail project in Allen County. The properties are adjacent to existing trail right of way and will provide for rapid expansion of the trail network.

Acquisition of 61 acres in Shelby County. The property includes 48 acres old growth forest known locally as Meltzer’s Woods. The site has been designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service, and is thought to be the last unprotected old growth forest in the state.

Purchase of 204 acres in southwestern Johnson County near Lamb Lake. The property features thriving forest communities, steep bluffs, exposed bedrock, shale bottom streams, and chunks of granite strewn across the valley floors. This project adjoins 355 acres already protected by the Central Indiana Land Trust.

Acquisition of 210 acres of upland hardwood forest straddling State Road 56 between Salem and Scottsburg in Washington County. This property fills a significant gap in existing state forest ground and provides an improved route for the Knobstone Trail.

Acquires a 39-acre inholding located in the northwest portion of Brown County State Park. The property features a prominent ridge and two valleys, and consists entirely of mature second growth hardwood forest.

Purchase of 109 acres adjacent to the existing 99-acre Pine Knob Park in LaGrange County. The purchase area features high quality sedge meadow and fen wetlands and oak/hickory woodland.

Adds 10 acres of excellent upland prairie wildlife habitat to the Game Bird Habitat Areas. The tract is adjacent to a pre-existing state owned Gamebird Habitat Area. Management will focus on uplands and a small wetland, establishing food plots, and providing additional recreational opportunities. This acquisition is located in Benton County.

Adds 33 acres to Chinook Fish and Wildlife Area and provides additional hunting, trapping, bird watching, and other recreational activities. Management will focus on preserving the grassy habitat of the parcel. This acquisition is located in Clay County.

Purchase of 18 acres adjacent to Sycamore Land Trust’s Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve in Brown County. The property’s exceptionally mature forest has been untouched for over 60 years, and provides habitat for threatened species including cerulean warbler and several other bird species, along with the eastern box turtle. The historic Yellowwood Trail crosses through the property.

Purchase of 8 acres of upland forest adjacent to Sycamore Land Trust’s Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve in Brown County. The property features habitat for threatened species including eastern hemlock, cerulean warbler and several other bird species, and eastern box turtle. The historic Yellowwood Trail crosses through the property.

Acquisition of 32 acres in Monroe County to expand TNC’s Cedar Bluffs Project Area. This purchase will help protect the forest matrix that buffers the limestone cliff communities and will reduce visitor impact on sensitive bluff tops by enlarging the overall size of the existing protected area.

Purchase of 93 acres located in DeKalb County. The acquisition includes 2,600 lineal feet along the west bank of Cedar Creek – one of only three designated scenic rivers in Indiana. The property contains emerging upland forest, mature forested floodplain and riparian buffer.

Acquisition of 46 wooded acres adjacent to Brincka Cross Gardens County Park in northern Porter County. The property lies across US Hwy 20 from Dunes National Lakeshore. Plans call for expanding the existing park’s trail system, with the hope of one day connecting to the National Lakeshore over or under the highway.

Purchase of 31 acres to be developed as the Beaver Dam Ditch and Pond Nature Park in Lake County. The property is a drained wetland currently used for agriculture. A small creek known as Beaver Dam Ditch runs through the property. Plans call for developing a 17-acre pond to create natural habitat, recreation opportunities, and to provide flood control.

Purchase of two properties totaling 23 acres to expand Falls Park in the Town of Pendleton. Both properties are owned by the South Madison Community Foundation, and will be sold at ½ of appraised value. Property #1 is situated at the north end of the park and features 20 acres of wooded wetlands along the east bank of Prairie Creek. Property #2 is three acres in size and located at the confluence of Prairie Creek and Fall Creek, just upstream from the Fall Creek waterfall that gives the Park its name. This acquisition is located in Madison County.

Purchase of 10 acres to add to ACRES’ existing 36-acre Mengerson Reserve, a state-dedicated nature preserve within the city limits of Fort Wayne in Allen County. The property features mature-growth forest and wetlands. Adjacent land is currently being developed for commercial and residential use. This acquisition is located in Allen County.

Acquisition of approximately 195 acres located just north of Lafayette to create the proposed Lake Harner Recreation Area. The property is a former gravel-mining operation that resulted in two bodies of water totaling approximately 70 acres. A majority of the property is in the floodplain of Wildcat Creek, with about 25 forested acres above floodplain. The property will support a multitude of recreational uses such as fishing, hiking and fitness trails, canoeing and kayaking, bird watching and picnicking.

Purchase of 80 acres adjacent to Durham Lake Wildlife Conservation Area in Kosciusko County. The property features 15 acres of woodland habitat. The remainder is in agriculture. The cultivated area is targeted for tree plantings and wetland restoration. Acquisition will provide additional hunting and wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Acquisition of 143 acres of land in western Vigo County. The property primarily consists of reclaimed open-pit coal mining land, including approximately 24 acres of freshwater forested shrub wetland and 28 acres in the floodplain of the Wabash River within the Healthy Rivers Initiative (HRI) Wabash River Conservation Area. The site will increase public access to outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, boating and bird watching.

Acquisition of 80 acres adjacent to a 64-acre property acquired with BNT funds in April 2013. The addition features eight acres of riparian corridor directly upstream from the high-quality ravine on the existing nature preserve, as well as 15 acres of mature mesic and wet deciduous forest. The property provides important wildlife habitat, particularly for birds. This acquisition is in Porter County.

Acquisition of 93 acres along the Ohio River in southern Harrison County. The property is the former site of a platted town known as Morvin. It served as a ferry landing until the 1966 completion of the Matthew Welsh Bridge 2 miles downstream at Mauckport. John Hunt Morgan and his group of Confederate raiders began their six-day foray through southern Indiana at this site, crossing the river here on July 8, 1863. While the Morvin’s Landing property has tremendous historic significance, it also contains several diverse habitat areas such as river buffer, wetlands, and several threatened and endangered plant species. The county plans to locate a boat ramp on the site. Such a task would provide the only public access to the Ohio River along Harrison County’s 45 river miles.

Purchase of 9 acres of woods and wetland in New Albany, near the county’s main commercial corridor. Although this is the highest populated census tract in Floyd County, it is currently served by only 1 acre of recreation land. The 9-acre purchase area is part of a 35-acre proposed park that will provide both passive and active recreation opportunities.

Acquisition of 20 acres of excellent woodland wildlife habitat adjacent to Durham Lake Wildlife Conservation Area in Kosciusko County. The property includes mature stands of hardwood trees. Examples include oak, cherry, black walnut, hickory, maple and beech. The acquisition will provide additional hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.

111 acres southwest of Auburn in DeKalb County. The property features a large forest block and wetlands in the Cedar Creek corridor. Black Creek runs through the property.

41 acres in the Cedar Creek corridor, north of Fort Wayne in Allen County. The property features 29 acres of upland forest and 12 acres of wetlands and floodplain. The acquisition connects two existing State Dedicated Nature Preserves.

Acquisition of three parcels totaling 100 acres of Wabash River floodplain. The property surrounds the site of historic Fort Ouiatenon, the first European settlement in what is now Indiana. The site is of great archeological significance.

26 acres of Classified Forest adjacent to Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area in Vigo County. The purchase area includes 15 acres of forested wetlands and is in the Wabash River floodplain.

Acquisition of 95 acres including 21 acres of forested wetlands. This property is within the Healthy Rivers Initiative (HRI) Wabash River Conservation Area in Vigo County.

Purchase of 117 acres including upland forest and a forested wetland riparian area along the White River, as well as an upland old field. This acquisition is in Delaware County.

15-acre addition to the Dutro Woods Preserve in the city of Muncie. The property contains numerous mature oak and walnut trees and early successional trees with about half of the site in a grassy meadow. This acquisition is in Delaware County.

103-acre addition to the Brock Sampson-Hardin Ridge Conservation Area in Floyd County. Acquisition will help conserve two large-scale forest communities: Appalachian low elevation mixed pine forest and chestnut oak forest.

Purchases 97 acres of the former Fox Ridge golf course near Vincennes for use as a public passive recreation park. The property features approximately 3 miles of paved cart paths that will be converted to bike and pedestrian trails.

Acquisition of 393 acres of mature forest formerly part of the Pfizer manufacturing facility south of Terre Haute. The property will be developed to include trails and public access hunting and fishing areas.

A 40-acre purchase adjacent to the DNR Reynolds Creek State Game Bird Area in Porter County. The property features a complex of upland woods, forested wetland, and riparian woodland. Reynolds Creek ditch forms the western border of the property.

A 97-acre addition to Deep River County Park, including wetlands, woodlands, and a 3-acre pond. Approximately 100 neo-tropical bird species have been documented around this property.

A proposal to acquire 1.33 acres along State Road 9 and adjacent to the Blue River, near downtown Shelbyville. The site will serve as a trailhead for a trail to be built along the Blue River, connecting several city parks and the county fairgrounds. This project included a $100,000 matching grant from the local Community Foundation.

Purchase of 27 acres adjacent to Beanblossom Bottoms State Dedicated Nature Preserve in northern Monroe County. This addition will protect habitat for several threatened species including the federally endangered Indiana Bat and the northern long-eared bat.

Addition of approximately 5.5 acres to the Moraine Nature Preserve in Porter County. Acquisition of this tract protects against development and provides much needed access from the south. The site contains a combination of rolling hills, steep ridges, deep wooded gorges, a natural kettle pond and an old growth forest with scattered wetlands.

Acquisition of 28 acres of Fish Creek floodplain and wooded acreage in Steuben County. Several structures in poor condition on the property will be removed and the site will be restored.

Purchase of 55 acres within the Wabash River floodplain, including 12 acres of forested shrub wetland. The property is part of the Healthy Rivers INitiative Wabash River Conservation Area, and is in Vigo County.

Purchase of 231 acres in the Healthy Rivers INitiative Wabash River Conservation Area. The property is primarily low-lying land overgrown with timber and bushes. This purchase will protect critical riparian wildlife habitat and the water quality of the Wabash River, while ensuring access to outdoor recreational opportunities. This acquisition is in Vigo County.

Acquisition of 254 acres in the Healthy Rivers INitiative Wabash River Conservation Area, including 11 acres of wetlands. The site will increase access to outdoor activities such as hunting and bird watching. This acquisition is in Vigo and Vermillion counties.

Purchase of 128 wooded acres in the Healthy Rivers INitiative Wabash River Conservation Area. This acquisition is in Vermillion County.

Purchase of 147 acres in the Healthy Rivers INitiative Wabash River Conservation Area. The property includes more than 100 acres of wetlands, while the remainder of the property features wooded habitat. This acquisition is in Vigo County.

Purchase of 63 acres in the Healthy Rivers INitiative Wabash River Conservation Area, including 37 acres of wetlands. This acquisition is in Vigo County.

Purchase of 206 acres in the Healthy Rivers INitiative Wabash River Conservation Area, predominantly wetlands. The acquisition is in Vigo County

A 137-acre addition to the Big Walnut Natural Area in Putnam County. The property features critical habitat for a number of forest interior plants, animals and birds.

Led by ACRES Land Trust, the Cedar Creek Conservation Area covers 20 river miles of Cedar Creek from Auburn in DeKalb County to the creek’s terminus at the St. Joseph River in northern Allen County. More than 1,300 acres of diverse habitat are already protected within the corridor, offering an excellent framework to build upon. Cedar Creek is a popular canoeing, kayaking and fishing destination, and has been designated one of only three Natural, Scenic, and Recreational River Systems in the state.

Led by Sycamore Land Trust, the Beanblossom Creek Conservation Area runs from Lake Lemon westward to Beanblossom Creek’s terminus at the White River, near Gosport. The corridor connects two state-dedicated nature preserves, a national wildlife refuge property and state forest land. The floodplain along the creek is known habitat for 10 species listed as threatened or endangered.

A 52-acre addition to an existing 80-acre state dedicated nature preserve. The addition is split between re-forested uplands and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wetland restoration. The property is a heron nesting area. This is the first BNT project in Whitley County.

A 54-acre addition to an existing 255-acre conservation area owned by NICHES Land Trust. The northern portion of the property includes a 7-acre natural pond in the Wabash River floodplain with nesting bald eagles and a high-quality upland white oak woodland. The addition will provide better access for the hikers, bird watchers and nature lovers who utilize the existing preserve. This is the first BNT project in Fountain County.

Acquisition of an 80-acre parcel of floodplain agricultural land along the Wabash River. The property includes a portion of the site of historic Fort Ouiatenon, the first European settlement in what is now Indiana. This purchase is adjacent to two other parcels approved for BNT funds. The agricultural land will be converted to grasslands to preserve the archeology of the site.

A 15-acre expansion of the existing 60-acre Beckenholdt Family Park. This acquisition would complete the park’s control of a 5-acre wetland, enabling the construction of a loop trail and wildlife observation decks. The expansion also includes a block of woods which acts as a buffer between the park and I-70. This is the first BNT project in Hancock County.

A proposal from the Town of French Lick to acquire 68 forested acres, including two ravines and a pair of unnamed seasonal streams which drain into French Lick Creek. The town will manage the property as a public park, and intends to develop hiking and mountain biking trails. This is the first BNT project in Orange County.

Purchase of two parcels totaling approximately 4 acres in the Town of Speedway. The acquisition will provide a 1-acre trail head with an existing paved parking lot, and secure 1/3rd mile of the former Peoria & Eastern Railroad corridor. The acquired property builds upon the trail corridor already purchased with BNT assistance (announced by Gov. Pence in June), and provides a connection to the Eagle Creek Trail now under development by the City of Indianapolis. This is the second BNT project in Marion County.

Acquisition of three parcels totaling 39 acres along the White River, just south of Spencer. The property is composed of current and retired agricultural fields, and riparian corridor. The purchase will facilitate development of a 1-mile trail linking Coopers Park with the DNR Public Access site. A longer-term goal is to complete a trail linking Spencer to McCormick’s Creek State Park. This is the second BNT project in Owen County.

Purchase of 137 acres, split evenly between deciduous hardwood forest and wetlands. The property provides ideal habitat for migratory bird species. This acquisition is in Porter County.

Acquisition of four undeveloped residential lots totaling 0.55 acres of natural sand dunes surrounded on three sides by Marquette Park. The fragile dune habitat features several rare native grass species. The property features unobstructed views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. This project is in Lake County.

Purchase of 15 acres, bordered on two sides by recreational rail-trails. The majority of the parcel is wetland, with some upland woods. This acquisition is in Porter County.

A 27-acre addition to the 1,200+ acre Deep River County Park. The acquisition is surrounded on three sides by the existing park, and features more than 20 acres of wetlands and several acres of upland forest.

Addition of 60 acres of excellent upland forested wildlife habitat to Splinter Ridge Fish & Wildlife Area in Jefferson County. The tract includes steep, rolling hills overlooking the Ohio River valley.

Acquisition of a 30-acre inholding surrounded on four sides by the Winamac Fish & Wildlife Area. The property features excellent upland game habitat. This is the first BNT project in Pulaski County.

Proposed by The Nature Conservancy, the Ohio River Glades Conservation Area would cover the steep ridges along the Ohio River extending from New Albany in Floyd County, to the southern tip of Harrison County. The area is known for its many glades, where exposed siltstone has created natural openings in the forest. It is home to extremely rare plant communities and several endangered species. The large bluffs overlooking the Ohio River feature large blocks of chestnut oak and Virginia pine forest. The area includes numerous state dedicated nature preserves and other protected lands, offering a strong framework to build upon.

Proposed by Shirley Heinze Land Trust, the Little Calumet River Conservation Area in Porter and LaPorte counties would cover more than 10 river miles of the Little Calumet, a tributary of Lake Michigan. The area features forested floodplain with oxbow lakes, ideal habitat for migratory birds, and opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. An excellent framework of protected property already exists within the corridor, including Reynolds Creek Fish & Wildlife Area and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Herron Rookery.

A 20-acre addition to Ferdinand State Forest in Dubois County. The property features high quality upland forest, and helps consolidate two existing parcels of state forest land. It is the first BNT project in Dubois County.

A 104-acre addition to the Smith-Crisler State Dedicated Nature Preserve in Henry County. The property features riparian corridor along Fall Creek, wetlands and upland forest. This is the first BNT project in Henry County.

Purchase of 60-acre tract featuring steep sandstone cliffs and upland forest along Raccoon Creek in Owen County. The property contains an entrance to Boone’s Cave and known passages of the cave directly under the land which are habitat for the locally endemic cave beetle.

A 43-acre addition to the Pennywort Cliffs Conservation Area in Jefferson County. The property features steep limestone and dolostone cliffs along Big Creek and a topographically diverse forest system.

Purchase of 77 acres on the north shore of Dallas Lake in LaGrange County, including 3,500 feet of shoreline. The majority of the tract is forested floodplain. The property is adjacent to an existing ACRES preserve.

Purchase of 18 acres located between Lake James and Jimmerson Lake in Steuben County. A concrete and crushed-limestone circular trail loops through upland forest over rolling topography and overlooks a 2-acre wetland. ACRES anticipates the property will provide a recreational benefit to nearby residents.

Purchase of 6.5 acres to fill a 1-mile gap in the 16-mile Pumpkinvine Nature Trail between Goshen and Shipshewana. The trail will incorporate a boardwalk through wooded wetlands. This project is in Elkhart County.

Purchase of 12 non-buildable, vacant wooded lots equivalent to 2 acres along the south side of White Ditch in the Town of Michiana Shores. The acquisition will allow for the extension of an existing nature trail along White Ditch as well as bank stabilization and erosion control efforts. White Ditch drains directly into Lake Michigan. This project is in LaPorte County.

Purchase of a 35-acre wooded peninsula extending ¾ mile into Monroe Lake with 1.7 miles of lake frontage. The acquisition will protect the forested buffer along the lake shore which enhances water quality and provides excellent habitat for bald eagles and other species of concern. This project is in Monroe County, near the State Road 446 causeway.

A 15.5-acre addition to Hardy Lake State Recreation Area. This wooded parcel contains two drainages feeding into Hardy Lake. The tract is surrounded on three sides by DNR property. This purchase will allow DNR to pursue creation of a woodland marsh at Hardy Lake. This is the first BNT project in Scott County.

A 32-acre addition to Indiana’s first state park, McCormick’s Creek. The area is predominantly floodplain forest with approximately 10 acres of early successional area and a 2-acre field. The property features an oxbow of the White River and several karst features. This project is in Owen County.

A 40-acre addition to CILT’s Hills of Gold Conservation Area in southern Johnson County. The property features high quality red oak with beautiful slopes harboring displays of spring wildflowers. The property is known habitat for the rare and endangered Eastern box turtle, hooded and worm-eating warbler and cerulean warbler.

A 68-acre addition to the Healthy Rivers INitiative (HRI) Wabash River Conservation Area. The property features wetlands and will be reforested as part of the management plan. This project is in Parke County.

Purchase of 344 acres adjacent to Fairbanks Landing Fish & Wildlife Area in Vigo County. The property consists of 145 acres of classified forest and 161 acres of wetlands. The remainder of the property is tillable but is slated for habitat restoration.

Acquisition of a 40-acre square joined on two sides by the Green’s Bluff Nature Preserve in Owen County. Conservation of this land will protect the cave-shed of Boone’s Cave, which lies beneath the property. The property contains significant karst features including a sinkhole pond and several other sinkholes that feed into the cave system.

A 25-acre addition to the town’s 5-acre East Point Park. The addition includes a 7-acre pond offering the possibility of a public fishing dock. Plans call for extending a loop trail around the pond to connect with the existing park. The pond drains through a state dedicated nature preserve into nearby Big Walnut Creek. This project is in Putnam County.

Purchase of 21 acres of floodplain forest along the West Fork of the Whitewater River just south of Connersville. The property will complement an adjacent sports complex under development by the City of Connersville. The acquired property will serve as passive recreational space for nature trails, picnicking, bird watching and a much-needed canoe launch. This is the first BNT project in Fayette County.

Acquisition of four separate parcels totaling 14.5 acres in the Town of Lakeville. Parcels A, B and C are contiguous and feature forested wetlands directly adjacent to Lakeville’s downtown. The town hopes to build a boardwalk through the acquired properties to connect with the planned redevelopment of the downtown corridor. Parcel D is nearby along Heston Ditch, across former U.S.31 from the DNR-owned boat launch on Pleasant Lake. The town hopes to provide additional parking for the boat launch, which is presently very limited. This is the first BNT project in St. Joseph County.

Purchase of 33 acres in multiple parcels along the Wabash River within the unincorporated village of Dresser. The properties adjoin Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area and will become part of a county park facilitating access to trails within Wabashiki. This acquisition is in Vigo County.

Acquisition of 3.7 wooded acres in Delphi to serve as a trailhead for the Monon High Bridge Trail. The site includes city utilities and a run-down house, which is to be demolished. The western boundary of the property is a small stream, and the northern boundary adjoins the Monon trail corridor. Acquisition of the property will dramatically improve access to the trail. This is the first BNT project in Carroll County.

Purchase of 11 acres of former rail corridor to extend the city’s network of recreational trails. The 2.5-mile corridor heads west from the center of town, then southwest toward city limits. The route passes through several residential neighborhoods and crosses Wildcat Creek. This is the first BNT project in Howard County.

Purchase of 4 acres of former rail corridor to extend the city’s Industrial Heritage Trail by 8/10 of a mile. The corridor lies just north of Kokomo’s downtown.

Purchase of 39 acres, roughly half of which is upland oak woodland. A 1-acre cemetery is situated in the wooded area and contains the burial of civil war veterans. This would be the first BNT project in Jay County.

126 acres of wetlands with a variety of aquatic-terrestrial habitats and some upland forest. Acquisition of this tract would protect the western half of Quog Lake and the entirety of Goose Pond. This project is in LaGrange County.

Purchase of 25 acres (in two adjacent parcels). The property to be acquired includes a wooded ravine adjacent to the former Jasper Country Club, which was purchased by the city in 2013 for passive park use. This project is in Dubois County.

Purchase of 85 acres (in two separate parcels). The properties feature a mix of pin oak flatwoods and tillable land well-suited for wetlands restoration. This acquisition is in Jasper County.

A 258-acre addition to Black Rock Barrens/Weiler Leopold Nature Preserve, roughly doubling the existing protected area. The site features rare siltstone barrens over deeply dissected 100-foot slopes. This acquisition is located in Warren County.

195 acres of mesic upland forest habitat in Owen County. Features include steep sandstone cliffs along Raccoon Creek, remnant groves of hemlock trees, and one of only two known occurrences of mountain spleenwort fern in the state.

30 acres of extremely rare, naturally occurring high quality Black Oak Savanna. It is characterized by widely spaced black oak trees with an under-story of native prairie grasses and flowers. This would be the first BNT project in Starke County.

19 acres of woods serving as a buffer to the core boreal habitat of the existing Ambler Flatwoods area of LaPorte County. The property includes xeric black oak woodland, and second growth deciduous forest composed of even-aged stands of various species.

9.5-acre addition to Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve in LaPorte County. The property lies in a transition zone between a boreal flatwoods complex and the Glenwood dune system on the Chicago Lake Plain at the south end of Lake Michigan.

Purchase of 1/2 acre to conserve native hardwood trees along the Veteran’s Memorial Parkway recreational trail in Crown Point. This acquisition is in Lake County.

Acquisition of 18 acres to unify two existing Conservancy properties. The property includes portions of three existing wetlands as well as some wooded area. This project is in Steuben County.

Purchase of approximately 7 acres to preserve wetlands along the shoreline of Loon Lake. This project is in Noble and Whitley counties.

Acquisition of 423 acres subject to a life-estate. The majority of the property is mature, upland hardwood forest. The remaining areas are retired agricultural fields which have been replanted with trees. This project is in Miami County.

Acquisition of 107 acres subject to a life-estate, in Wabash County. The property is predominantly mature, upland hardwood forest with an area of mature bottomland hardwoods along ½ mile of Treaty Creek. Roughly 20 acres are in grasslands.

Purchase of 97-acre addition to the Blossom Hollow Nature Preserve in southern Johnson County. The property is primarily wooded and includes two small ponds. Several rare and endangered species have been identified on the property.

A 21-acre addition to Pine Knob County Park. The property includes a sedge meadow/fen wetland, a shrub swamp, and completes the protection of a pond straddling the property line. This acquisition is in LaGrange County.

An 80-acre addition to Big Walnut Nature Preserve in Putnam County. This parcel includes 10 acres of mature hardwoods with the remainder recently planted with trees. The acquisition protects the southwest corner of the preserve from development.

Purchase of a 179-acre addition to Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County.  It is a portion of the former Tulip Trace Girl Scout Camp and consists of mature, upland hardwood forest with some road and trail improvements from the scout camp.

Purchase of a 1-mile former rail corridor consisting of 10 acres for constructing a new segment of the Pennsy Trail in Hancock County. This acquisition helps to close a 4.5-mile gap in the trail between Greenfield and Cumberland.

Acquisition of 108 acres containing blocks of high-quality hardwood forest. Many of the trees likely predate settlement. The property shows little evidence of human disturbance in the last century. The acquisition is in Huntington County.

Purchase of 170 acres featuring an extremely rare bog habitat. The site also includes upland woods spread over several steep ridges near the bog. The acquisition is in St. Joseph County.

A 37-acre addition to McCloskey’s Burr Oak Savanna Nature Preserve in Lake County. Protection of the property will benefit several rare plants and migratory birds.

Purchase of 95 acres with some of the highest quality woodlands in the Indiana coastal region. The site features grassy fens, artesian seeps and spring-fed streams. The project is in LaPorte County.

Purchase of three parcels totaling 8 acres to extend Nickel Plate Trail into Rochester. Two of the parcels will facilitate development of trailhead facilities. This project is in Fulton County.

A 15.5-acre addition to Brincka Cross Garden County Park in Porter County. The property is primarily wooded and contains a small wetland.

Acquisition of 14 acres in two parcels as an addition to the Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve on Lake Monroe in Monroe County. The property includes an additional ¼ mile of shoreline and is critical to completing protection of the peninsula.

Purchase of two tracts adding 61 acres to the Scarlet Oak Woods Preserve in Monroe County. The property features upland hardwoods and ties together more than 200 acres of protected habitat.

Purchase of 44 acres of floodplain woodland along the White River west of Yorktown in Delaware County. The project will permanently protect a one-half mile stretch of riparian corridor on the south bank of the White River.

A 23-acre addition to Shawnee Bottoms preserve in Fountain County. The property features upland oak woods and a portion of the Wabash and Erie Canal Towpath. Acquisition of the site completes protection of a 9-acre pond.

Purchase of 8 acres uniting two tracts already under protection. The site features upland woods and part of a large wetland that filters water draining into Flint Lake. The project is in Porter County.

An 11-acre addition to Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area. The property features upland forested wildlife habitat and an unnamed tributary of Deer Creek.  This acquisition is in Putnam County.

Purchase of 262 acres of floodplain including 45 acres of wetlands and a former oxbow of the Wabash River. The property is within the Healthy Rivers Initiative (HRI) Wabash River Conservation Area in Vigo County.

Acquisition of 113 acres bordering the Wabash River. All but 10 acres are wetlands. The property is within the Healthy Rivers Initiative (HRI) Wabash River Conservation Area in Vigo County.

Purchase of 240 acres in two tracts. The properties include riparian buffer along the Wabash River and 155 acres of wetlands.  This project is within the Healthy Rivers Initiative (HRI) Wabash River Conservation Area in Vigo County.

An 18-acre addition to the Healthy Rivers Initiative (HRI) Wabash River Conservation Area in Vigo County. The property is largely wooded with 3 acres of wetlands. The acquisition facilitates access to several other tracts within the project area.

A 10.5-acre addition to the Healthy Rivers Initiative (HRI) Wabash River Conservation Area in Vigo County. The property is primarily wetlands. The acquisition facilitates public access and completes protection of a large block of floodplain habitat.

A 6-acre addition to Jerry Pavese Park in Hobart. The primarily wooded property includes 1,300 feet of shoreline along Lake George.

Purchase of 58 acres at the confluence of the Ohio and Wabash rivers. The site features floodplain forest and wetlands. Portions of this property were split from the “mainland” during the 2008 floods and the site continues to be shaped by the rivers.

Acquires approximately 1 mile of former rail corridor totaling 35 acres in Miami County. This project extends the Nickel Plate Trail toward a connection with the Cardinal Greenway, leaving a gap of less than 2 miles between the state’s two longest trails.