Dustin, Johnson & Whitehurst Nature Preserves - ACRES Land Trust

05/10/2022

A friendly reminder that foraging for plants (mushrooms, flowers, berries, etc.) is prohibited on ACRES nature preserves. Please enjoy, but take only pictures.

Thank you for helping us keep these habitats undisturbed! 🍄🌼🌱

11/15/2021

Please be advised that the driveway to the ACRES office will be temporarily closed for construction TOMORROW (Tuesday 11/16/2021) from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, office visitors may park at the Tom & Jane Dustin trailhead, 1992 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748. For questions, please call 260-637-2273. Thank you!

11/09/2021

Thanks for checking out our page! We made this page to give visitors a place to check in. Head over to ACRES Land Trust to discover new places to explore, learn about upcoming events and get updates on the latest ACRES news.

10/15/2021

02/12/2021

ACRES Land Trust’s office at Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve will close for renovation Feb. 15. While the office is closed, we will staff limited hours Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dustin Barn, 1992 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748. Trails at the preserve remain open from dawn to dusk.

ACRES Land Trust’s office at Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve will close for renovation Feb. 15. While the office is closed, we will staff limited hours Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dustin Barn, 1992 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748. The project is part of ACRES expansion plan. The renova...

12/21/2020

UPDATE: The ACRES office at Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve has reopened after some work on our driveway. As campus construction continues, please be mindful and watch your step as you approach the building.

Office visitors may park in any open open spot near the building. Preserve visitors should continue to park at the preserve entrance near the old barn, 1958 Chapman Road.
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The first phase of ACRES expansion plan has started! This project will increase our capacity to care for more land and a growing community of supporters. Learn how you can help support the next phase of the project at https://acreslandtrust.org/grow/
Thank you for your patience as we work to provide easy and welcoming access at our headquarters!

12/15/2020

Please be advised: Construction of the new barn at Dustin Nature Preserve begins Tuesday (12/15/2020). Preserve visitors should continue to park at the preserve entrance near the old barn, 1958 Chapman Road. Office visitors may park in any open open spot near the building.

The new barn will help ACRES care for land by protecting tools and equipment and creating workspace for our land management team. This is an important piece of our expansion plan, but we have more to do and we need your help! Learn how you can help ACRES care for more land and a growing community of supporters at https://acreslandtrust.org/grow/

12/10/2020

Visitors to Dustin Nature Preserve can now enjoy the preserve from a new point of view. ACRES recently updated the trail system to make trails wider and easier to follow. Retired sections of the trail have been blocked by branches and fallen trees.

Updated preserve maps are available in the little free library outside the ACRES office and on our website:

Trails wind through meadows and woodlands, one leading to a wetland filled in springtime with horned bladderwort and the call of spring peepers. Another trail climbs a steep hill along the preserve’s southern boundary formed by Cedar Creek, one of the only three designated Indiana Natural, Scenic,...

10/05/2020

Please consider this friendly reminder that commercial use of the preserves is prohibited, including commercial and portrait photography!

With fall soon approaching, many folks are making plans for family photos, engagement pics and senior portraits. Please consider this friendly reminder that commercial use of the preserves is prohibited, including commercial and portrait photography. (We do occasionally make exceptions. For instance, we purchase the stunning preserve photos taken by Thomas Sprunger in order to help inspire others to help support and protect these special places.)

The State of Indiana also adds another layer of protection by prohibiting commercial for-profit use in state dedicated preserves, like Bicentennial Woods and Wildwood.

Photos taken for personal enjoyment, that will not be copied, distributed or offered for payment are perfectly acceptable. These types of photos (and litter!) are the only things we encourage people to take from the preserves.

Please remember that stepping off-trail to snap that perfect pic is prohibited. Sticking to the trails helps protect sensitive areas. You never know what you're trampling so please do your part to keep the critters and plants safe.

These places are made possible due to the generosity of the families who donate land, and to the ongoing support of our members and donors. Enjoy your time at the preserves, but don't treat them as your personal place of business.

(Fawn River Nature Preserve, by Thomas Sprunger)

10/14/2015

Love the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve?

Don't miss the height of this preserve's spectacular fall foliage!

Join us for an event (see comments below for details) or make time for a solo or group hike of your own - soon.