This story, by author and Long Beach resident David Hoppe, was written in the fall of 2019 and first appeared in his book, Letters from Michiana: Reflections along Lake Michigan’s Southern Shore. In March of 2026, when Shirley Heinze Land Trust acquired Stockwell Woods from Save the Dunes, David recited the story as part of
45 Stories for 45 Years: Moon Valley and Stockwell Woods Read More »
Shirley Heinze Land Trust likes to refer to three of our properties as “Conservation Destinations” because of the major access improvements we have made to them to support engagement with local communities. The following article, which appeared in the Indiana Land Protection Alliance publication, State of the Lands 2026, features those properties and improvements. Shirley
45 Stories for 45 Years: Conservation Destinations Read More »
Poems by Dale Nichols The Return of the Sandhill Cranes Against a crisp blue sky Where the sun and the wind have arisen I harken their voice in the distance Tiny specks I just barely envision Legions in v-formations Parading from wing to wing Back at last from fall migrations As harbingers of spring Loudly
45 Stories for 45 Years: Beverly Shores in the Spring Read More »
This year, Shirley Heinze Land Trust is celebrating its 45th anniversary, and we’ve launched a series called “45 Stories for 45 Years.” Throughout 2026, we are sharing stories about our organization, the people who make our work possible, and the land we protect. On Friday, May 1, Evie Kirkwood (Shirley Heinze Land Trust Board President)
45 Stories for 45 Years: A Priest, a Book, and Some Botanists Read More »
My name is Sharon Kenning, and I’ve lived in Northwest Indiana all my life, starting out in the Miller area of Gary, Lowell, and the last 46 years in rural Valparaiso. My husband and I have 10 acres of mostly wooded property and some old farm fields. I have always enjoyed wildflowers, gardening, traveling, and
45 Stories for 45 Years: Sharon Kenning Read More »
This summer, Shirley Heinze Land Trust proudly welcomed its largest-ever cohort of summer interns–twelve college students representing a wide range of academic disciplines and interests. As part of our broader Student Experiences in Conservation program, these internships provided hands-on, real-world experience in fields like ecological restoration, environmental science, and community outreach. Thanks to the generous
Student Experiences in Conservation: 2025 Recap Read More »
By Billie Kerner; Jibek Mbwakawen, Inc. After the arrival of the sandhill cranes signaling spring in my Potawatomi culture, we wait for the third thunder to communicate that it is time to plant our corn. For many Indigenous peoples, including the Potawatomi, the Three Sisters garden is more than a method of agriculture. It
This summer, Shirley Heinze Land Trust is excited to welcome our largest group of summer interns yet–12 passionate and curious college students who make up the 2025 Student Experiences in Conservation cohort. These internships are part of our broader Student Experiences in Conservation program, which creates hands-on learning opportunities for both high school and college
Welcoming Our 2025 Student Interns Read More »
This article was originally written by Thaddeus Lipinski and published on February 17, 2025, by the South Bend Tribune. It’s 8:45 p.m. on a warm spring night at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve, seven miles west of South Bend. As darkness creeps over the pond, a concealed orchestra comes to life, and the bog begins to
Indiana’s Disappearing Frogs Read More »
We are excited to announce a new initiative funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund! The project, slated to begin in the spring of 2025 and continue through the spring of 2028, will focus on enhancing climate resilience in the Calumet Region, which spans the Indiana-Illinois border. We will
$1M Grant Awarded! Read More »
