Shirley Heinze Land Trust announces that its annual Spring Benefit on May 4, 2024, had record attendance with over 450 and raised over $301,000 to support the organization’s mission. Key to this success was a match challenge by Dale and Nancy Nichols, Leslie Shad and Joseph Brennan, Mary Ann Tittle, Anne and Tim Walsh, Cleveland-Cliffs, and NIPSCO to match all pre-event donations up to $100,000.
The theme for the benefit was “Branching into New Waters.” Executive Director Kristopher Krouse highlighted the organization’s commitment to improved water quality and how the groundwork is being laid to further this work. Their conservation programming has been vastly expanded with innovative wetland creation projects and regulated ditch improvements. Over the past two years, they have permanently preserved over two hundred acres of farmland. And the implementation of more management practices is being advanced. Their water quality monitoring programming is expanding on the East Branch of the Little Calumet River in close collaboration with many partners.
Attendees at the annual gala, held at the Urschel Pavilion in Valparaiso, were treated to an evening of fine dining courtesy of Sullon’s Catering and Val’s Cakes and live music by the John Wesley Experience. The evening wrapped up with a live auction featuring six unique experiences including guided hikes, a paddling adventures, and a dinner.
Planning is underway for the 2025 Spring Benefit and will be available at www.heinzetrust.org.
Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has preserved and restored natural lands and waters in northwestern Indiana, including some of the rarest landscapes in the state. More than 3,300 acres in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke, and Marshall Counties have been protected. The organization also strives to build connections between communities and nature by engaging people of all ages in its work.
For more information on the work and nature preserves of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, visit www.heinzetrust.org, call (219) 242-8558, or access its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/heinzetrust.