In the summer of 2024, LC Nature Park welcomed State Senator Travis Holdman (R–District 19) for a special tour highlighting the impact of land conservation in Northeast Indiana. Representatives from ACRES Land Trust, Little River Wetlands Project, and Indiana Land Protection Alliance joined the visit to demonstrate how collaboration among local and statewide organizations strengthens conservation outcomes.
The group explored the park’s 300 acres, highlighting restored tallgrass prairie, old-growth forest, and the presence of native wildlife including bison and elk, which play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Conversations focused on the importance of state investment in land conservation, particularly through the Next Level Conservation Trust and the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust.
A key stop on the tour was LC Nature Park’s recently added 100-acre expansion property, a successful Next Level Conservation Trust project. Now flourishing with native prairie grasses and wetland habitat, the site demonstrates the transformative power of funding conservation.
During the visit, the Senator also had the chance to witness conservation in action as 44 grade-school children explored the land during Camp Trillium. Their excitement – whether learning about pollinators, identifying trees, playing in the mud, or observing bison and elk – underscored the importance of protecting and restoring Indiana’s natural heritage for future generations.