Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has been dedicated to the preservation and restoration of significant natural areas throughout northwestern Indiana. Today, more than 2,800 acres across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, and Marshall 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.
The Bringing Nature Home Award recognizes the efforts of those who are creating healthier habitats for pollinators, wildlife, and people.
Submit your native plant garden for the Bringing Nature Home Award today!
Explore our neighboring nature preserves who are partners in conservation. Learn about rare plants and migrating birds from hikes led by regional experts. Tickets are $25 each. Spots fill up quickly, so sign up today!
Take a Walk With Shirley
Help us keep our neighborhoods beautiful with a litter pick up day near Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve. We will be picking up trash along the trail and roads in order to keep the area clean and safe, improve walkability for visitors, and help maintain a healthy ecosystem and wildlife.
Join Brown Faces Green Spaces and Shirley Heinze Land Trust in celebrating the diversity in both our environment and community with our Trail Mix Hike at Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve. Create your own trail mix, then complete a scavenger hunt to receive a free sticker!
What's better than a trail run and a cold beer?
Dig the Dunes is partnering with Shirley Heinze Land Trust to host two trail runs this summer! The Ambler Flatwoods Run is one of the more rugged runs. Tickets are $6 and are purchased through the event website / Cost will be $7.50 on the
Channel your inner artist with our Nature in the Arts series! Visit us at Ambler to walk in the woods and create a personalized field guide of your observations.
Create nature-inspired art with us! We are excited to partner with the Art Barn School of Art in leading a cyanotype printmaking workshop, while the Chesterton Art Center shows you how to create your own "walking journal."
