LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- The Shirley Heinze Land Trust is gaining new land after the disbandment of local conservation trust.

After disbanding in 2024, the La Porte County Conservation Trust donated the ownership of 99 acres of land to the Shirley Heinze Land Trust.

President of LaPorte County Conservation Trust Elizabeth McCloskey stated, “After long, serious discussions, the LPCCT Board determined it was time to pass the torch, which meant the dissolution of LPCCT and the transfer of our properties to Shirley Heinze Land Trust, a much larger organization capable of moving forward in a way that we are not,” 

Some of the properties included in the transfer is the Wintergreen Woods property as well as two wetland preserves. All of these properties provide habitats for important area wildlife and native plant species. 

“We have long admired the LaPorte County Trust for its unrelenting commitment to the natural resources of our area, its responsible management of land, and our many years of collaboration on conservation issues. They served their community well by providing environmental education, ecological stewardship, and accessible natural areas. We pledge to carry on their work.” said Shirley Heinze Land Trust Executive Director Kristopher Krouse.

The Shirley Heinze Land Trust is an important staple of our Michiana area with their conservation and environmental protection efforts reaching many of our local communities such as La Porte, St. Joseph, Starke, and Marshall Counties.

For more information on what the Shirley Heinze Land Trust does, how their work is creating an impact, and their upcoming community events, those interested can visit the Shirley Heinze Land Trust website for more details.