Land Trusts Get 'Er Done!

Written by: Tom Zeller

The Hoosier State is served by twenty-two land trusts that collectively protect about 160,000 acres, nearly equal to the size of all the state forests combined. They provide Hoosiers with 127 miles of nature trails, 29 of which are universally accessible. The groups are powered by their 7,000 members and 1,600 volunteers. The groups have done the painstaking work of raising enough funds to hire about 52 paid staff. The oldest land trust in the state dates to 1960, the youngest to 2015.

For example, the Sycamore Land Trust was formed in Bloomington in 1990 and protects about 14,000 acres in the unglaciated hills of southwestern Indiana. The younger Ouabache Land Conservancy, based in Terre Haute, protects over 1,000 acres in six counties along the Wabash lowland (Ouabache is the French version of the name given the river by the Native Americans: Wabashiki). Further north, in the glacially created landscapes, land trusts protect dunes, bogs and prairies. One offers a home to a herd of buffalo. The Karst Conservancy protects caves (and bat habitat) as well as stewarding the surface lands above.

Nationally 1,281 land trusts offer nearly 10,000 miles of trails, 1,000 miles of which are universally accessible in the U.S. They have 6.3 million members, 233,000 volunteers, and 12,000 paid staff. The oldest dates to 1843, the youngest to 2020, with a median age of 34 years.

Land trusts are growing. The 61 million acres of land under land trust stewardship is up 33% since 2010. Protected land provides a variety of benefits: habitat for wildlife, cleaner water, reduced flooding, a connection to nature for humans, a natural classroom for all ages, a quiet mental and spiritual respite from everyday life, and increased resiliency from the impacts of climate change.

Because of land trusts, natural areas are nearby for you to visit. Get out there! And once you’ve enjoyed an outing, remember to support a land trust, by joining, donating, and or giving your time to help with the myriad tasks involved.

Sources:
Land Trust Alliance

Indiana Land Protection Alliance

The author was a founding member of Sycamore Land Trust and currently serves on the board of directors of Ouabache Land Conservancy.

Ouabache Land Conservancy Advisory Board Member to Speak at Wabash Valley Audubon Society Annual Meeting April 16

OLC Advisory Board member Dr. Jim Speer

The Wabash Valley Audubon Society will hold its annual meeting and dinner on Wednesday, April 16th at the Vigo County History Center, 929 Wabash Ave, Terre Haute. The guest speaker will be Dr. Jim Speer, ISU Professor of Geography and Geology (and OLC Advisory Board member!), discussing “Tree-Ring Research & Climate Change in 2025”.  Speer will discuss some of the recent evidence of climate change and how tree-ring research contributes to our knowledge of climate change through time. He will conclude with some local predictions for the Midwest of what will happen in the coming decades related to changes in temperature, precipitation, and vegetation shifts that will likely affect bird habitat.  Speer is also author of a 3-book fiction exposé series concerning climate change, sustainability, and agriculture. Those books The Storm, The Chase, The Fire, as well as, Fundamentals of Tree-Ring Research will be available beforehand at a book signing.  The annual meeting is sponsored by Bird Watcher’s Digest. 

The social hour, silent auction, live violin music, and book signing start at 5:30 pm with dinner catered by Piloni’s Italian Restaurant at 6:30 pm, and Dr. Speer’s presentation to follow at 7:30 pm.  Members and non-members alike are invited to this event for $25 per person. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required by April 11th by registering online via https://bit.ly/WVASDinner or contacting Carissa Lovett at 812-877-1095.  In addition, those wishing to donate silent auction items please contact Carissa by April 4th for details. The Wabash Valley Audubon Society serves Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. To learn more about the Wabash Valley Audubon Society like their Facebook page or visit their website at www.wabashvalleyaudubonsociety.org .

Ouabache Land Conservancy 15th Annual Celebration Awards

Each year at the Ouabache Land Conservancy Annual Celebration, two awards are presented - the Marion T. Jackson Conservationist of the Year Award and the Gerald H. McGlone Volunteer of the Year Award.

Barbara Weber received the MARION T. JACKSON CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding work in promoting conservation of our natural areas. The award is named in honor of its first recipient, former OLC board member Dr. Marion T. Jackson, who passed away in 2019. Marion was a professor of Life Sciences at Indiana State University for 37 years and mentored many students who went on to become conservationists themselves. He spent his summers working for the U.S. Forest Service, The National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He authored several books on Indiana's natural heritage and biodiversity, and held leadership roles in numerous conservation organizations, as well as in the Indiana Academy of Science.

Barb, an OLC advisory board member, received this award because of her dedication to managing invasive plant species. In addition to her involvement with OLC, Barb is involved with local volunteer group Vigo Invasives Management, which provides education about invasive plants in Vigo County, Indiana. Barb participates in local Weed Wrangles, works hard to spread awareness about the importance of managing invasive plant species, and much more!

Barbara Weber is pictured here with her award and OLC President Alysa Morley

Bill Mitchell and Denise Marie Sobieski received the GERALD H. MCGLONE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer contributions of time and effort in order to advance the cause of Ouabache Land Conservancy. This award is named in honor of its first recipient, Terre Haute attorney Gerald (Jerry) H. McGlone, a current member of the OLC advisory board. One of Jerry’s exemplary trial cases involved a river bayou in Sullivan County that was threatened with takeover by private landowners. Jerry undertook a lawsuit to have the bayou declared public property under the ordinance of Congress which created Indiana and other states in the Northwest territory. After a 10-year legal battle and a jury trial, the seven-mile-long bayou was declared public property, preserving a piece of Indiana in its natural state. This litigation was done as a public service to the people of Indiana without charge.

Bill and Denise are both OLC board members, and they received this award for many reasons - the ideas, energy, teamwork, and enthusiasm they have brought to OLC, their willingness to take on various different roles, and their long-term support of OLC (both of them previously served on the board). Each of them is working to help take OLC to the next level. They were also both co-chairs of this year’s annual celebration!

Bill Mitchell and Denise Marie Sobieski are pictured here with their award and OLC board member Jim Nardi

Scott Russell Sanders Inspires with Conservationist Message at Ouabache Land Conservancy Annual Celebration

Scott Russell Sanders with OLC Board member Phil Cox

TERRE HAUTE, IN — Acclaimed author and conservationist Scott Russell Sanders delivered a powerful keynote address at the annual Ouabache Land Conservancy (OLC) celebration, urging attendees to embrace their roles as stewards of the environment. The Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English at Indiana University and fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences spoke on themes of law, hope, and conservation, drawing from his extensive literary work.

Sanders, whose latest books include The Way of Imagination—a reflection on healing and renewal—and Small Marvels, a novel in stories, captivated the audience with his thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be a "good ancestor." He acknowledged the dire state of the environment, citing record-breaking global temperatures, widespread wildfires, and the alarming loss of biodiversity. Yet, he emphasized the resilience of nature and the importance of grassroots efforts, sharing his personal experiences volunteering with Sycamore Land Trust to restore native plant species.

“The fancy name for what land trusts and their volunteers do is ecological restoration. The informal name is rewilding. I like the latter term because it reminds us that we are only assistants to nature in healing abused lands and waters,” Sanders said.

Through his characteristic blend of wisdom, storytelling, and deep reverence for the natural world, Sanders encouraged listeners not to be discouraged by the vast scale of environmental challenges. He reminded them that every small act of conservation—from planting milkweed for butterflies to restoring wetlands for wildlife—contributes to a greater legacy of sustainability.

The audience, made up of conservationists, landowners, and environmental advocates, was left inspired by Sanders' call to action. As OLC continues its mission of preserving and protecting Indiana’s natural landscapes, his words served as both a reminder of the challenges ahead and a beacon of hope for the future.

Scott Russell Sanders' legacy as both a writer and conservationist remains deeply rooted in the values of honest work, unselfishness, and devotion to community—qualities that resonate profoundly with the mission of Ouabache Land Conservancy.

Meet Jane Santucci!

In September 2024, a small group of Ouabache Land Conservancy (OLC) board members and advisors advocated for OLC to hire a marketing consultant to enhance our outreach and community impact. As OLC is currently an all-volunteer organization, this is an important step in growing our organization to help us hire staff in the future and, of course, protect more land! The board voted on a marketing budget, and we contracted with Jane Santucci of Sustainably Smart LLC.

Board members then formed an OLC Marketing Committee in October 2024 with Denise Marie Sobieski as chair, along with Alysa Morley, Michelle Marincel Payne, and Marty Jones. The committee is thrilled to be working with Jane for many reasons. She has served on the OLC Advisory Board and been a member for several years, and she knows OLC and our community well. Jane also works with Riverscape, Parke Trails Alliance, Vermillion Trails Alliance, and TREES Inc., other organizations in our service area with underlying environmental themes. 

Jane is a valuable asset to Ouabache Land Conservancy due to her extensive background in communications, marketing, and public relations, combined with her deep-rooted involvement in environmental and community initiatives. Her experience in journalism, digital media, and strategic marketing uniquely positions her to effectively engage with the public, craft compelling narratives, and enhance Ouabache Land Conservancy's outreach efforts.

With Jane’s help, OLC has solidified our brand, produced our first annual report, elevated our social media presence, and so much more. Our membership is growing, our events are reaching more people, and our 15th Annual Celebration sold out several weeks before the event scheduled for March 12th, 2025! 

 “Jane has been terrific to work with because of her high level of professionalism and marketing expertise, plus she knows us. She’s a real asset, and the committee loves working with her,” says Marketing Committee Chair, Denise Marie Sobieski.

Dr. Dan Bradley, Ouabache Land Conservancy Board Member, Joins Sycamore Hall of Fame

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Dr. Daniel Bradley, a dedicated Board Member of the Ouabache Land Conservancy and former President of Indiana State University, has been inducted into the Indiana State Department of Athletics’ 32nd Sycamore Hall of Fame Class. Bradley was honored alongside four other distinguished individuals during a ceremony on Friday, January 10, at the Sycamore Banquet Center.

Dr. Bradley served as ISU’s 11th president from 2008 to 2018, achieving remarkable milestones that extended far beyond campus. Under his leadership, ISU ranked #1 in the nation for community service hours in 2013, completed over $300 million in capital projects, and significantly improved retention and graduation rates. Bradley also played a pivotal role in redeveloping downtown Terre Haute and enhancing the riverfront area.

His commitment to environmental stewardship has carried over to his current role with the Ouabache Land Conservancy. As a Board Member, Bradley continues to champion the preservation of natural spaces and sustainable land management. His experience in revitalization and community building has been instrumental in helping the Conservancy surpass 1,000 acres of conserved land and in setting priorities for future conservation efforts in the region.

“Dan’s leadership and vision have greatly benefited the Conservancy,” said Ouabache Land Conservancy President Alysa Morley. “His recognition in the Sycamore Hall of Fame is well-deserved and reflects his deep commitment to our community and its natural resources.”

Bradley’s induction highlights his far-reaching impact as a leader, educator, and conservation advocate. His enduring efforts with the Ouabache Land Conservancy and his legacy at Indiana State University exemplify his dedication to building a stronger, more sustainable future for Terre Haute and beyond.

Update on IDEM 319 Implementation Grant for Otter Creek Watershed

Our IDEM Section 319 Implementation Grant continues to fund practices to improve water quality in Otter Creek.  This year, we began our second implementation grant, providing funds for three years.

In 2024, the Otter Creek project implemented the following:

• 677 acres of cover crop including two equipment modifications

• 295 acres of no-till via one equipment modification

• 1,001 acres of nutrient management via four equipment modifications

• 4,768 acres of heavy use area protection.

These improvements resulted in 3,063 tons less sediment, 20,723 lb less phosphorus, and 43,492 lb less nitrogen entering Otter Creek.  Over the three-year grant period, the project withheld 11,078 tons sediment, 37211 lb phosphorus and 59,150 lb nitrogen from Otter Creek.

One strength of our grant has been regional collaboration, and we thank our Steering Committee members for their dedication and time.  Looking ahead, please mark your calendar for Experience Otter Creek on May 17th, 2025 from 9 am to noon.  Planning is underway for this fun-filled day with the aim to educate our community about water quality, watersheds, river ecosystems, and more.  The event will be hands-on and interesting for all ages!