Buffalo Trace Land Trust

09/29/2026

2026 has been a challenging year for stormwater management and flash flooding events. Overall thunderstorm intensity seems to be increasing, along with the average size of hailstones and volume of rain from downpours

Conservation land helps buffer the stormwater by slowing down overland water flow. For maximum effect, careful monitoring and management must be done to restore damage when necessary. This year Buffalo Trace Land Trust has been busier than usual to restore damage after intense storms.

08/24/2026

SSF's Bird Conservation Program has been working hard! Liz Mortenson, Director of Buffalo Trace Land Trust assisted Holly Garrod of Birds Carribean to gather data and tag Prairie Warblers at the Conservation Innovation Center.

Mr Matt Williams, Director of SSF Bird Programs working in field alongside Amy Kearns with Indiana DNR in managed successional habitats on SSF lands that are benefiting lots of Prairie Warblers. Habitats such as this seem to be a "factory for Praire Warbler nesting and reproduction"

08/21/2026

Nokuse Land Conservancy in the news! Dr Matt Aresco increases awareness about the critical role private land protection has in the SE Longleaf Pine ecosystem. NLC remarkable team manages over 60,000 acres of contiguous habitat in the panhandle of FL and works hard to assemble key tracts of significant ecological importance, restore long leaf ecosystems, and protect Gopher Tortoise.

Some state and federal Sunshine State lawmakers have opposed overhauling the historic law.

07/11/2026

We remember you, today and always, MC, as we continue your work to conserve Florida‘s biodiversity.

Gambler-Turned-Conservationist Devotes Fortune To Florida Nature Preserve

https://www.npr.org/2015/06/17/415226300/gambler-turned-conservationist-devotes-fortune-to-florida-nature-preserve

10/28/2025

Southern Indiana is glowing with fall color! Our woodlands hold a stunning mix of oaks, hickories, maples, and sassafras that paint the season in reds, oranges, and golds.

Leaf color changes happen when trees prepare for winter—chlorophyll fades, revealing pigments that have been there all along. For wildlife, these seasonal shifts matter too: fallen leaves enrich the soil, provide shelter for salamanders and insects, and protect the forest floor. Plus, the leaves are pretty fun to play in!

Next time you walk outside, look down as much as you look up - life is thriving in the leaves underfoot!

10/24/2025

A Not-So-Spooky Surprise in the Woods! 🦇 🍂

Earlier this month, we had a rare Halloween-season treat while walking through one of our forest properties — we accidentally woke up an Eastern red bat! These beautiful little bats (Lasiurus borealis) are usually tucked away, roosting quietly among tree leaves or even under leaf litter on the ground. This one fluttered up, landed on a branch long enough to give a big yawn, and then flew off to find a quieter nap spot.

Even though Eastern red bats are fairly common, we know surprisingly little about them. Most sightings happen during mist-net surveys, and researchers are still uncovering where they go in winter and how they migrate — possibly following the same routes as some birds!

So this season let’s remember that bats aren’t scary — they’re fascinating, beneficial neighbors who help keep our forests healthy. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you might spot one resting just under the fall leaves. 🌙🍁🦇

09/17/2025

So, what IS a buffalo trace? Our name comes from a historic path that buffalo followed, creating well-worn trails that led native Americans, then settlers, across the Ohio River and through the region. As buffalo migrated back and forth from the Great Plains to the grasslands in Kentucky, they crossed an ancient fossil bed at a wide, shallow area in the Ohio River. The buffalo stopped at mineral licks along the way and created a trail as wide and easy to follow as a highway. Indigenous Americans, then later fur trappers, traders, and settlers all followed that same trail back and forth from Kentucky and into the prairies. The historic path runs right through our six county focus area, and reminds us about the importance of connection between people, plants, animals, and the landscape.

This story map was created to highlight historic locations along the Buffalo Trace

09/10/2025

What’s got four legs, a fuzzy tail, and is helping to keep our land healthy? Goats! But WHY goats? Because our land stewards need help—and these animals are up for the job. Historically, fire and bison shaped our local landscapes, keeping trees balanced with grasses, wildflowers, and sedges to make a wide range of habitat types for birds like quail and sparrows. Today, those natural forces are gone, but the need for diverse habitat remains.

At BTLT, we’re using goats to help manage overgrown areas where machines and people struggle. These amazing animals help mimic the natural disturbances our land evolved with—managing woody plants (even poison ivy and thorny rose and blackberries) and promoting other native species.

Goats = less blood, sweat, and thorns for staff + more open, healthy habitat for native species.

09/05/2025

Bison once shaped Indiana’s landscapes, grazing in herds and helping create vibrant habitats. Today, we’re taking a creative approach to echo that impact—with sheep!

Sheep graze like mini bison, managing grasses naturally (even around solar panels!) and freeing up people for other stewardship work.

Old tools, new purpose. Follow along to see how this works in action!