Ropchan Wildlife Refuge Nature Preserve

Download Map From Preserve Guide

ACRES owns several tracts of property around a wetland conservation area in a cooperative project with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Department of Fish and Wildlife. Our 184 acres is a 1976 gift of Sam and Adeline Ropchan.. We maintain the trails that cross through both properties, connecting our parking lot on the north side and DNR's on the south.

157 of our 184 acres have been dedicated through IDNR's Division of Nature Preserves.

A 2.5 mile loop trail winds through an upland oak-hickory forest, old fields in various stages of succession, and by the wetlands of Cemetery Lake. A birding platform built by the Boy Scouts, overlooks the marsh, with a view of ducks, heron and beaver. The rolling topography is an example of a glacial kettle hole lake surrounded by gravel and sand kame knolls, common in Steuben County.

Hover over each image in the slideshow below to read its caption.