As ACRES 60th year comes to a close, we are filled with gratitude for our members and donors who help protect and care for 7,230 acres of natural and working lands. As our community of supporters has grown, we've asked new members:
What convinced you to join ACRES?
Watch this short video to see what some of them had to say:
If you hear your values echoed by these new members, take that next step and join ACRES today! If you're already a member, thank you! You can help by sharing your WHY with others.
As winter unfolds in our region, remember the Scandinavian adage: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." So bundle up and get out! Join us on the trails and at events as we wrap up 2020.
’Tis the season to snap a photo! As you explore the frosty trails, take your camera or phone to capture a critter, a selfie, or a stunning scene!
Members from ACRES board of directors and staff will select five winners who will receive a newly-designed ACRES reusable bag and a one-year membership.
ACRES and Zoo partner to track wildlife Notice any weird wire towers while hiking at an ACRES preserve? Though the towers might look like alien communication devices, they are actually part of a worldwide project to study the movement and or migration of small animals. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo partnered with ACRES to launch the project locally by setting up four Motus towers on ACRES properties.
Raising Our Standards: Quality Over Quantity Over the next four years, ACRES will update visitor amenities at about 30 nature preserves, including improvements to signage, parking, trail maintenance and online maps. The plan also includes retiring trail systems at about 20 properties that don't meet ACRES new visitor amenity standards.
160-year-old barn finds new home A 160-year-old barn in northwest Allen County is finding a new home in DeKalb County, where it will stand as a tribute to the area’s agricultural heritage.
DECEMBER HIKES & EVENTS
Social distancing (keeping at least 6-feet of distance between individuals at all times) will be implemented at December events. PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU FEEL ILL or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Please check the event page or contact the ACRES office for the status of an event at 260-637-2273 or outreach@acreslandtrust.org.
Visitor Amenities Discussion
Saturday, December 12, 1 p.m.
WABASH COUNTY | Asherwood 7496 W. SR 124, Wabash, IN 46992
Share your thoughts with others who also think a lot about land, conservation and the act of protecting the places we love. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered about ACRES plans to improve visitor amenities. Presented by Jason Kissel.
Share the trails: First hikes
Ring in the New Year with invigoration! We'll trek the trails across our region, welcoming 2021 with movement and camaraderie in forever-protected places. Free to the public, donations and memberships encouraged. Space is limited. RSVP to outreach@acreslandtrust.org or 260-637-2273 by December 30.
The health and safety of our ACRES family is paramount, as is the public health of our communities.
The ACRES office will be open in a limited capacity. Staff will be on hand to assist you from 9 am to 4 pm. Please wear a mask while inside the office.
Maps and water will be left outside the door. If you’re stopping by to make a donation or purchase merchandise, please ring the doorbell and someone will come out to help you.
Be aware that visitation to ACRES preserves has drastically increased
We encourage you to bend the “stay on the trails” rule slightly during this time. Please step off the trail 6’ to allow a fellow hiker to safely pass.
Our parking lots are small by design, to prevent overuse of the preserve and to provide a better visitor experience. If a parking lot is full, check out another preserve in the area!
Let’s practice caution and courtesy, friends. Happy trails!
UPDATE: CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Members and donors have helped ACRES reach 64% of our capital campaign goal of $600,000!
Will you help us reach our goal?
Your support will help ACRES expand facilities at Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve to care for more land and a growing community of supporters. The project will:
Establish a wheelchair and stroller accessible trail and Cedar Creek overlook deck
Renovate the office to improve accessibility and efficiency
Construct a barn to create workspace for our land management team, bringing equipment, materials and tools under one roof
Improve driveway and parking for increasing business and visitor traffic
Help ACRES plant seeds for the next 60 years by making an end-of-year donation.
