Read the State of the Lands 2024 edition in full: get the pdf.

Director’s Note

ILPA convened land stewards from across the state at NICHES Land Trust for our annual Stewardship Gathering.

Unity seems to be a rare and special gift these days, which is one of the many reasons I cherish our alliance. Our conservation work protects the very lands and waters that unite us culturally and geographically, and is only achievable through diverse partnerships and collaboration. We come together to function as an ecosystem akin to those we work so hard to protect.

Together, we had another remarkable year in 2023. With our many partners, we helped to secure the State’s largest investment into the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust, an historic $10M for land conservation. We planned and executed a statewide educational and outreach campaign about wetlands, the Indiana Wetlands Challenge. New partnerships were formed to promote increased study of important natural areas. Additionally, we elevated our shared conservation message to a wider audience through new mediums, including the publication of our first-ever State of the Lands report.

This year’s greatest success is the continuation and enrichment of camaraderie within our land conservation community that we’ve come together to grow. We provided year-round programming that united Indiana land trusts’ board, staff, and volunteers, culminating with our first-ever formal conference this past January. Through these experiences, we have not only fortified our alliance, but we are also cultivating meaningful friendships. Subsequently, our members are continuing to work closely together on land acquisitions, stewardship projects, and providing peer support. I am particularly excited about our continued growth as we welcome four new members: 101 Lakes Trust, Wesselman Woods, Cardinal Land Conservancy, and Friends of the White River.

Lastly, after successfully advancing 2021’s ambitious three-year strategic plan, we have commenced a new strategic planning process with the Conservation Consulting Group. Together, we are charting our next five years (and beyond). We look forward to sharing that plan with you in the coming months.

When I think about conservation in Indiana, I am reminded of H.E. Luccock’s quote, “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it.” It takes all of us to overcome the challenges, effectuate our shared vision for healthy and resilient habitats, and celebrate the wins. Thank you for being a part of our work! We hope our stories from this past year leave you feeling energized, inspired, and restored.

Andrea

Andrea Huntington, Executive Director
Indiana Land Protection Alliance