ACRES Land Trust
(Text provided by ACRES & PLN. Edited by Wes Groleau)
Founded in 1960 by Tom and Jane Dustin, ACRES is a non-profit, charitable, 501(c)(3) organization. More than 1,000 families, individuals, organizations and businesses are members. Approximately 75 people volunteer their time as board members, land management volunteers, stewards (who adopt a specific nature preserve), hosts for events, and trail guides. ACRES manages and protects 53 nature preserves in 14 counties, saving more than 3,750 acres of scenic and environmentally significant natural areas. We offer outdoor education programs, canoe trips, concerts, and festivals for our membership and the public. We also offer environmental education programs for schoolchildren on a small scale. The majority of our nature preserves are open to the public from sunrise to sunset for environmental education programs, photography, scientific study, and enjoyment. We do have some preserves that are “open by permission only”, because of the presence of endangered plants or animals. An example would be an area that has a blue heron rookery, which we do not advertise because the herons can abandon their nests if frightened. Once ACRES acquires a natural area for protection, the protection is permanent. Many of our preserves are also state dedicated nature preserves, which gives them even greater protection under the law. If you have questions regarding ACRES, please contact the office at 260-422-1004 or you can visit our web site at www.acreslandtrust.org.