Red-tail Land Conservancy

10/05/2026

There are still several spots left for our trip to McVey Memorial Forest this weekend!

Have you signed up for October Big Day yet?

On October 10, explore Indiana nature preserves and contribute to a global day of bird counting with our land trust partners and Indiana Audubon! Choose from one of 18 birding hikes led by experienced guides in special habitats that have been protected forever by community land trusts. Each bird walk runs from 9-11am local time.

Registration is $5 per person, and birders of all skill levels are welcome! Explore destinations and RSVP at obd2026.eventbrite.com

Thanks to all of our host sites for partnering with us for this statewide day of birding: ACRES Land Trust, Buffalo Trace Land Trust, Cardinal Land Conservancy, Central Indiana Land Trust, Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy, Indiana Karst Conservancy, Little River Wetlands Project, Mud Creek Conservancy, NICHES Land Trust, Ouabache Land Conservancy, OXBOW, Inc., Red-tail Land Conservancy, Shirley Heinze Land Trust , Sycamore Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, Three Forks Preserve

09/28/2026

Last call to all artists! Today is the last day to enter your submission for Open Space!

Entries are due by 11:59pm today, September 28th.

You can find more details on registration for Open Space here: https://showsubmit.com/show/mmg-open-space-2026

Calling all artists!
In partnership with Minnetrista Museum & Gardens and the Anderson Museum of Art, Red-tail Land Conservancy is delighted to invite you to enter 2026's Open Space: Art About the Land competition and exhibition. This annual event encourages Indiana artists to be inspired by nature and celebrate the idea of open space.

The exhibit will be opened simultaneously as two sister exhibits at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens and the Anderson Museum of Art from November 7, 2026 to January 3, 2027. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit Red-tail's work to preserve the beautiful landscapes you love and vital habitats wildlife need.

A big thanks to 1816 Wealth Management Partners of Raymond James for helping to sponsor awards that will be selected from the accepted works.

The deadline for entry is September 28, 2026. Visit Minnetrista's website to learn more: https://showsubmit.com/show/mmg-open-space-2026

09/25/2026

Earlier this month, the prairies of Red-tail Nature Preserve felt the presence of fire for its second growing-season burn in two years. The Red-tail team was joined by John Taylor of the BSU Field Station & Environmental Education Center, Phillip Weldy of the Central Indiana Land Trust, Brent Headland, and another volunteer firefighter from the Albany Delaware Township Fire Department.

We were also joined by JB Bilbrey from Ball State’s College of Sciences and Humanities, who was able to capture these incredible photos detailing the burn process.

Red-tail Nature Preserve was one of the first preserves we acquired. When the prairies were established, the seed mix that was used contained more grasses than forbs. By performing burns during the growing season, we disadvantage the more aggressive grasses and instead encourage the forbs come springtime.

Photo Credits: JB Bilbrey

09/24/2026

Calling all artists!
In partnership with Minnetrista Museum & Gardens and the Anderson Museum of Art, Red-tail Land Conservancy is delighted to invite you to enter 2026's Open Space: Art About the Land competition and exhibition. This annual event encourages Indiana artists to be inspired by nature and celebrate the idea of open space.

The exhibit will be opened simultaneously as two sister exhibits at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens and the Anderson Museum of Art from November 7, 2026 to January 3, 2027. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit Red-tail's work to preserve the beautiful landscapes you love and vital habitats wildlife need.

A big thanks to 1816 Wealth Management Partners of Raymond James for helping to sponsor awards that will be selected from the accepted works.

The deadline for entry is September 28, 2026. Visit Minnetrista's website to learn more: https://showsubmit.com/show/mmg-open-space-2026

09/23/2026

If you are interested in wetland construction, the Field Station and Environmental Education Center at Ball State University will be hosting a 2 day wetland construction training one month from now, on October 24-25, 2026.

Tom Biebighauser, a wetland construction expert of over 45 years will be the primary instructor for this course. Tom has built over 3,600 wetlands and streams across 26 States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico.

Attendees will learn how to select appropriate locations, test soil texture, choose appropriate construction techniques, work with equipment operators, and establish native wetland plants!

For more information, please reach out to John Taylor at [email protected]
To register, please go to: https://www.bsu.edu/calendar/events/academics/fseec/2026/october-26/wetland-construction-training

09/21/2026

Red-tail has partnered with the New Castle-Henry County Public Library for a Walk in the Woods at Stout Memorial Woodland this Wednesday, September 23rd!

Come learn about the history of this preserve, which includes a 36-acre old growth forest just south of Sulphur Springs, with numerous giant hardwood trees including tulip poplar, oak, walnut, maple, and beech. Come listen to the birds and learn about the phenology of this amazing preserve.

A small, gravel parking area is located off North County Road 300 West. Extra parking across the street along W 350 North.

You can register here at: https://nchcpl.librarycalendar.com/event/walk-wood-wred-tail-land-conservancy-23924

Photo Credit: Elle Kreamer

09/21/2026

This week, part of the Red-tail team had the opportunity to attend Rally - The National Land Conservation Conference in Denver, Colorado!

Rally brought together land trusts and other conservation organizations from around the globe for several days of inspiration, connection, and revitalization as we continue working in protecting, conserving, and preserving the natural world.

Our team participated in training and networking sessions that were focused on a wide range of land conservation topics, got to connect with fellow conservation professionals, explored exhibits, and attended plenary sessions that offered new ideas and perspectives on conservation challenges today.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside so many people who share a passion for protecting land, caring for our natural world, and building stronger communities through conservation.

We’re excited to use what we have learned this last week to continue fulfilling our mission - for wildlife, for you, and for the land.

09/21/2026

Please join us next Wednesday at Buskirk Falls Preserve with the Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation District for WIPER Wednesday!

On the last Wednesday of each month, Wayne County's CISMA will be tackling invasive species across the county. This is an excellent opportunity to visit Buskirk Falls Preserve, especially because it is still designated as Special Access only.

For any questions about this event, please reach out to [email protected] - if you would like to learn about the history of Buskirk Falls Preserve, please go to our preserve page at https://fortheland.org/buskirk-falls/

Join your community invasive plant removal team for a volunteer event on Sept 30th at 4pm for a chance to win a Monarch Garden Kit that includes dozens of plants!

Buskirk Falls Preserve: pass the driveway and follow parking signs to park along Esteb Road.