Spring Members-only Events

Members*, celebrate your results! ACRES’ spring member events are as varied as the habitats we protect together.

In support of your shared values and in honor of your commitment to keeping our local wild places wild, you’re invited to participate in unique seasonal outings. Get together with your fellow members, break bread and enjoy the natural world:

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: CALLING ALL TURKEYS– FOR MEMBERS
Saturday, April 22, 5:30 – 8:50 am or 5 – 8:30 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748

See wildlife up close!

Join us as Evan Hill, land management specialist, attempts to call turkeys to our location. Though we’ll be hidden in a blind, you will need to wear earth tones or camouflage to prevent scaring the big birds off. Turkeys have excellent eyesight. Hunkered down with your fellow ACRES members, huddled in quiet anticipation on a nature preserve, you’re sure to have an experience you won’t soon forget.

Bring your camera and your sense of adventure!

Space is limited. RSVP to either the morning or evening program at [email protected] or 260-637-2273.

“POTS AND POTLUCK” FOR MEMBERS
Thursday, April 27, 6 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748

Break bread and celebrate spring with fellow members!

This pot luck dinner features select readings from works of natural writers and a plant giveaway in honor of your membership. ACRES will provide the entrée; last names A-L please bring a side dish, and M-Z a dessert. We’ll discuss the readings and take home a native plant or tree.

Space is limited. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273. Hosted by Theresa Ransbottom, ACRES volunteer.

WILDFLOWER HIKE FOR MEMBERS
Sunday, April 30, 2 pm
WABASCH COUNTY | Kokiwanee
5825 E. 50 S, Lagro, IN 46941

Kokiwanee delights with wildflowers and waterfalls!

Your hike leader, Dr. Dave Hicks, knows the much-loved hills of Kokiwanee well; he’s conducted our floristic inventories of this preserve. The former site of a Girls Scout camp, this land was previously farmed as recently as the 1940s and already today boasts an incredible diversity of wildflowers.  Discover Kokiwanee’s waterfalls and wildflowers and renew your satisfaction in helping to protect land.

Hosted by Dave Hicks. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273.

WILDFLOWER & GEOLOGY HIKE FOR MEMBERS
Saturday, May 6, 3 – 5 pm
NOBLE COUNTY | Edna W. Spurgeon Woodland Reserve
9478 N. 600 W, Ligonier, IN 46767

The large, old trees, wonderful wildflowers and rolling geology of ACRES’ first nature preserve inspire!

Join your fellow land lovers to learn how Spurgeon’s rolling hills, called kames were created by glaciers. You’ll discover

15-25 species of wildflowers: such as 3 trillium species, Bishop’s cap, wild geranium, wild phlox, blue-eyed Mary, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wood poppy, 3-4 violet species and others.

Hosted by John J. Smith and Tony Fleming. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273.

FOREST BATHING FOR MEMBERS
Tuesday, May 23, 6 pm
ALLEN COUNTY | Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve
1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748

Spring clean your senses!

Come see what Forest Bathing is all about – no soap required. Join Christy Thomson, Indiana’s only certified forest therapist, for fun, simple activities to refresh your connection to the natural world.

RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273.

WILDFLOWER & GEOLOGY HIKE FOR MEMBERS
Saturday, May 27, 3 – 5 pm
NOBLE COUNTY | Lloyd W. Bender Memorial Forest
1891 N. River Road W, Albion, IN 46701

Bender’s wet, diverse terrain is rich.

Here, you’ll find multiple habitats as well as wildflowers that you won’t see in many other ACRES preserves: American Columbo, Green Dragon, Yellow Water Butter Cup, Tufted Loosestrife, and American Gromwell. You’ll also see wildflowers that are common to other ACRES preserves.

Hosted by John J. Smith and Tony Fleming. RSVP to [email protected] or 260-637-2273.

*Are you ready to become a member? Click over to our membership page to discover the benefits of protecting land.

Not sure if you’re still a member? Let us check for you. Call us at 260-637-2273. The easiest way to know if your membership is current? Members receive the ACRES Quarterly in their mailbox each season.