Shirley Heinze Land Trust preserves and restores natural lands and waters in northwestern Indiana, and engages people in nature and conservation.
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Preserve
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Restore
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Engage
Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has been dedicated to the preservation and restoration of significant natural areas throughout northwestern Indiana. Today, approximately 4,000 acres across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall, and Starke counties are permanently protected, and most of our nature preserves are open to the public to explore and enjoy. We invite you to explore our upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and ways to donate, and see how you can help us protect northwestern Indiana’s natural areas, bringing people and nature a little closer in the process.
Celebrate the changing seasons with a guided hike to discover the incredible journey of fall bird migration! As summer gives way to autumn, thousands of birds travel through our area on their way to their winter homes, making this a wonderful time to explore local trails and see what feathered visitors...
It's fall, which means it's time for Mushrooms @ Meadowbrook!
Equipped with our trusty blacklights, we'll venture into a forest teeming with life where these mystical organisms silently thrive. As the daylight fades, we'll unleash the power of our blacklights, revealing an enchanting glow that illuminates...
Experience Meadowbrook Nature Preserve in a whole new way with a guided late afternoon soundwalk led by sound artist and acoustic ecologist Eric Leonardson.
Instead of focusing on what you see, this unique experience invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and discover the rich tapestry of sounds...
Once a month, volunteers come together to care for our protected natural spaces. On Tuesday, September 29th, we will visit Deep River/Waterfront Landing to remove litter so that all members of our communities can enjoy these spaces at their best.
By lending a hand, you will join a tradition 45 years...
You have definitely heard of a dog and cat, but have you heard of the dogfish or the catfish? Come to Meadowbrook Nature Preserve for a cozy story time and nature adventure as we read You Stole My Name by Dennis McGregor. After the story, we'll discover how animals and plants in nature get their names...
Many of you reading this blog have volunteered at Shirley Heinze Land Trust preserves, have walked our trails, or have attended our events, without knowing much about what we are and what we do. This post is for you! As our name suggests, Shirley Heinze is a land trust. Land trusts are not-for-profit...
Shirley Heinze Land Trust is proud to have participated in the 2026 Festival of Banners, hosted by the South Bend Museum of Art. This year’s theme, “Our Ecosytem,” featured 89 artist-designed banners that lined the streets of downtown South Bend from mid-July through mid-September. Shirley Heinze helped...
Student Experiences in Conservation Branches into New Fields
Student Experiences in Conservation Branches into New Fields
Summer 2026 has come and gone, but the positive impact made by each student intern is here to stay at Shirley Heinze Land Trust. With the support of generous donors, foundations, and university partners, Shirley Heinze hosted 14 college students from 7 universities in its 2026 summer cohort. Over a 10-week...
45 Stories for 45 Years: A Lifetime Spent Walking the Conservation Trail
45 Stories for 45 Years: A Lifetime Spent Walking the Conservation Trail
Valued partners of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Kevin & Claudia Wood serve as part of the Volunteer Water Quality Program and as Preserve Stewards of Ambler Flatwoods. These two LaPorte County residents have contributed vital support to conservation efforts in northwestern Indiana. However, their lifelong...
45 Stories for 45 Years: Growing Roots — A Full-Circle Moment at Meadowbrook
45 Stories for 45 Years: Growing Roots — A Full-Circle Moment at Meadowbrook
Each year, Shirley Heinze Land Trust hosts a summer Student Experiences in Conservation program for college students interested in pursuing careers in conservation. The program has increased steadily in size and scope over time, this year to a record of fifteen interns. As part of their summer experience,...
From globally rare dune and swale in Gary to lovely moraine forests near Valparaiso, to one of the last remaining bogs in Indiana near South Bend, there is likely to be one of our nature preserves near your community, where you have the chance to experience the natural wonders of one of the most biodiverse regions in the country.
The generosity of individuals is the foundation of our support. Whether a few dollars, a few hundred, or more, your donations enable us to uphold our commitment to forever protect and restore lands and waters throughout northwestern Indiana. Discover the ways that you can donate money or land to support the enduring mission of Shirley Heinze Land Trust.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Whether you’d like to spend a few hours in nature by helping to maintain our trails and preserves, or assist with workshops and workdays that bring people closer to nature, or contribute behind the scenes to help Shirley Heinze Land Trust run smoothly, we need your help.
You may find us out in the field, maintaining our preserves, or at a meeting with conservation partners, or connecting with people in communities across northwestern Indiana. You may also find us in our offices, located on the edge of Meadowbrook Nature Preserve, just north of Valparaiso. Contact us today to say hello, learn more about what we do, and find out how you can help Shirley Heinze Land Trust protect natural places for generations to come.
