STARKE COUNTY, Ind. -- The Shirley Heinze Land Trust announced it has reached a milestone of over 4,000 acres of land preservation in Northwest Indiana following the acquisition of the over 425-acre Big Eastern property in rural Starke County.

“For over sixty years, the Lucas family has treasured and provided stewardship for this fascinating and biodiverse sand country landscape,” said Marty Lucas, President of Big Eastern, Incorporated, on behalf of the Lucas family. “When we learned of the Next Level Conservation Trust program, we realized the time had come for us to pass the torch. To make perpetual preservation and management a reality, we enthusiastically agreed to facilitate the transition by offering a bargain sale to the Shirley Heinze Land Trust.”

The Shirley Heinze Land Trust says the new acquisition is part of their vision to expand into Starke, Marshall, and St. Joseph Counties to preserve land, create new conservation areas, and provide both outdoor recreation and engagement opportunities.

Officials say funding for this endeavor was provided by the Next Level Conservation Trust, which is the largest single infusion of state dollars into conservation in the state’s history.

The program includes the matching of funding to support the acquisition of land that is protected for conservation in perpetuity.

“Whether it’s through the Next Level Conservation Trust or the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust, Hoosiers play a key role in helping us preserve land like this,” said Mark Becker, director of the Division of Land Acquisition at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. “When Hoosiers choose the blue environment license plate, they’re helping to forever protect land like this in Starke County and across Indiana. We’re proud to work alongside Shirley Heinze Land Trust to protect Indiana’s natural heritage.”

The Big Eastern preserve is made up of black oak dominated sand savanna, sand prairie, emergent marsh, riparian habitat, and woodlands.

Officials say plans for the property include ongoing stewardship efforts to maintain its ecological health, with a focus on sustainable practices.