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2016 ANNUAL REPORT
2016 ANNUAL REPORT
On this page:Signs of deer along the Mechanicsburg Drain at Fall Creek Woods
On the front cover:Fall foliage from bluff overlooking Bush Creek at McVey Memorial Forest
Photos by: Julie Borgmann
Red-tail Land Conservancy preserves, protects, and restores natural areas and farm land in east central Indiana while increasing awareness of our natural heritage.
OUR MISSION:
RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Red-tail Staff
But why should these patrons support two land conservation organizations? The late John Fisher, who at that time was president of Ball Brothers Foundation and former president of Ball Corporation, asked me that exact question. Fortunately, I knew the answer. Our two organizations’ land acquisition criteria differed greatly. Red-tail’s criteria was tailored to the type of natural areas that existed in east central Indiana, that is, small, fragmented woods and wetlands. TNC concentrates on much larger eco-regions. There are hardly any areas in our part of the state that meet their criteria. If land was to be protected in east central Indiana, it would take a small, local land trust focused on our exact needs.
While Red-tail Land Conservancy’s successes have been the result of the hard work and talents of many people in our communities, the early financial support was the direct result of the talent and dedication of the Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy. We have a common goal and are inspired by similar missions. I will remain forever grateful for the “behind the scenes” role The Nature Conservancy played in the formation and continuing successes of Red-tail Land Conservancy.
A question I’ve been asked from the very beginning of Red-tail Land Conservancy is, “Where do you get your funding?” Many people assume we are a quasi-government organization that has funding provided through a conservation program of some sort. However, we are a local, independent charitable organization whose operations are funded locally. The short answer to that question is foundations, corporations, families, and individuals.
The deeper and more revealing answer takes me back to our inception. At that time, a future board member told me that Red-tail would have to be an all-volunteer organization; since, as with all charitable organizations, operations funding is the most difficult if not impossible funds to raise. I accepted that as truth and launched into recruiting a board; setting up the corporate structure and policies; and beginning the first couple land acquisition projects. That first year was an exciting venture for me, primarily because I had never been the leader of anything. There was so much to learn about nature and the land conservation business. I took to the tasks with great vigor, and steady progress was made on all fronts.
And then a most surprising conversation took place. That same board member, who had told me we would need to do this totally on a volunteer basis, said he had learned that two local foundations might be willing to fund a staff position. That came to be, and thirteen months into our organization’s existence, we had funding in the bank to hire an executive director. I resigned as president of the board, quit my day job, and started working full time as the single staff person for Red-tail Land Conservancy.
It took a few years for me to realize why this support suddenly appeared. The Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy had been successfully promoting land conservation in east central Indiana for quite some time. Because of TNC’s efforts, the corporations and foundations that became our early funders, had understood the significance of our mission long before I started my quest. Once they realized the founders of Red-tail had the wherewithal to actually do what I had set out to do, these conservation minded people and organizations worked quickly to provide the major portion of the necessary operations funding.
From the Director’s Bench: Our Behind the Scenes Partnerby: Barry Banks, Founder and Executive Director
Micayla JonesStewardship Director
Barry BanksFounder and Executive Director
Julie BorgmannEducation & Development Director
RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. –John Muir
John Muir’s famous quote filled my head and heart as I walked Red-tail’s newest preserve, Valena Woods. The 46-acre property, just west of Yorktown, Indiana lies between highway 32 and the White River. As I walked into the woods I was greet-ed by a deafening chorus of spring peeper frogs. Hidden among the leaf litter of the wooded wetland, their familiar song welcomed me to this natural world and helped me to shed my other thoughts.
This nearly half-mile stretch of river and woods is home to many large sycamore, cottonwood, and hack-berry trees. Just what you expect to
find if you have every paddled the White River in east central Indiana. The white sycamore limbs, arching across the rippling water, frame a beautiful picture.
Many years ago the owners of the property, Drs. Jose and Lynn Valena, took a farm field which frequently flooded out of production, and they planted it with thousands of native trees. This area is now transition-ing from a field of seedling trees, grasses, and wildflowers to a young forest.
Sometimes, land acquisition projects can take over a decade to complete. Valena Woods is one such project. Red-tail has been discussing the permanent protection of their land with the Valenas since 2005. They understood the value of maintaining
habitat and farmland for future gen-erations, however, the time was never quite right for them to move forward on the project.
While we discussed the permanent protection of their farm south of Hwy 32, of particular interest to Red-tail was the 46 acres along White River. Natural areas along our waterways are the highest priority land to be per-manently preserved by Red-tail. Our rivers and streams serve as corridors through which native flora and fauna can move and diversify the gene pool. Red-tail now protects natural areas along a total of ten miles of these vital corridors.
As I walked across the preserve there were many signs of active wildlife. Beaver carved stumps dotted the river’s edge, hawks shrieked overhead, woodpeckers knocked on the dying ash trees, a woodcock flew up out of the brush, and deer tracks were plentiful.
We are grateful for community-wide support for our land trust. The founda-tions, corporations, families, and indi-viduals through their generous dona-tions and guidance have enabled us to continue accomplishing our mission.
I left the woods feeling restored and delighted that this 46-acre preserve will be permanently protected for future generations. Valena Woods is the fourteenth nature preserve owned by Red-tail. We have recorded nineteen conservation easements, for a total of 2,672 acres permanently protected.
Announcing: Valena Woodsby: Julie Borgmann, Education & Development Director
RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Mother Earth DayMother-daughter team, Gwyn and Micayla Jones, spent their Mother’s Day showing appreciation to Mother Earth with a group of volunteers.
Ball State Foundation The office of the Ball State Foundation lends their hands to the land by eradicating Asian bush honeysuckle at the Red-tail Nature Preserve.
Ball State StudentsFuture biologists from BSU’s Wildlife Society spent many hours volunteering for RLC by removing invasive species and clearing trails and parking areas of debris. Red-tail’s partnership with Ball State classes created wildlife management plans, surveyed amphibian populations, and completed restoration and recreation plans through immersive learning.
TeenWorks 2016High school students hired through the non-profit organization, TeenWorks, spent six weeks of their summer working for Red-tail. The teens worked at several RLC properties eradicating invasive species, building boardwalks and benches, installing bird nest boxes, and planting native flora.
WIPB’s Be My Neighbor Day Kids learn to become curious about nature.
Selma Scout Troop Scouts enjoy a nature scavenger hunt at Red-tail Nature Preserve.
Friend of the Land Award Ben Melbert recognized for his loyalty, dedication and service.
2016 Highlights
Camp Prairie Creek Kids learn to build forts, explore nature, and study birds at Munsee Woods.
Indiana Humanities Next Campfire Hoosier Poet Laureate Shari Wagner leads group on hike reading poetry and discussing its connection to nature.
Bluebird House Installation Teenworks crew install bluebird houses built and donated by Union Chapel Ministries at Mike Kiley Forest Preserve.
RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Red-tail added over a mile of trail to McVey Memorial Forest, expanding the public’s access to the woods north of CR 750. The new trail includes experiences in early succession habitat, mature woodland, a canoe launch to the Mississinewa River, and an incredible overlook view of Bush Creek. Be sure to experience the new trails and all McVey has to offer!
Logan Carter, a local 12-year-old resident, cares a great deal about bats. You could say he has grown up with bats. His dad, Dr. Tim Carter, is a Ball State University wildlife biology professor who does bat research. As Logan’s interest in bats grew, he began helping his dad at educational events and writing stories to help people understand what is happening to these cute mammals.
Logan wanted to do more than just raise awareness about the problem’s bats face. He joined a group sponsored by Bat Conservation International known as the Bat Squad. Logan reached out to Red-tail Land Conservancy to do something locally. At an event called “Pulling for Bats,” we worked to remove invasive plants and improve bat habitat.
Thanks, Logan!
New Features at McVey Memorial Forest! Pulling for BatsMichael Galliher
PRESIDENT CEO-Boyce / Keystone /Komputrol
Bill Buskirk, Ph.D. VICE PRESIDENT Retired Professor, Earlham College
Dennis Nixon
TREASURER Farmer
Sheryl Myers RECORDER Retired Science Teacher, Anderson Community Schools
Dick Brock, CPA Consultant, Whitinger & Company
Sherri Contos Executive Director of Muncie Arts & Culture Council
John Craddock Retired Director Emeritus, Bureau of Water Quality, Muncie
Jud Fisher President, COO, Ball Brothers Foundation
Jack Henricks Owner, Schleyer Pump Co.
Stanley Keil, Ph.D. Retired Professor, Ball State University
Lori McKenney Artist
Ray Montagno, Ph.D. Retired Professor, Ball State University
Rich Nicholson Retired, Indiana-American Water, Co.
Board of Directors
RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
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2672 AcresProtected
CONSERVATION AGREEMENT RED-TAIL OWNED
☞ 2672 ACRES☞ 37 SITES☞ 6 COUNTIES
CURRENT LAND HOLDINGS
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERSTracy AldersonKurt & Catherine AlexanderJay & Susan AllardtStefan & Joan AndersonClifford & Nancy ArellanoMary BanksSteve BanksBarry & Jamie BanksGreg & Kathy BeumerDave BlimmLes Smith & Marla BoatwrightJeanne BobergJulie BorgmannTom & Sheila BrackenWilliam & Cynthia BrittonDick BrockTamara & Gary BrownJoe & Kathleen BushWilliam BuskirkTom & Frida CannonLee & Pat CasebereCarla Caudill-WaechterTami ColemanKaren CookseyTom Cooney & Marty MullinDave & Carrie CopenhaverJohn & Pam CraddockWilliam CummingsBill & Laura CummingsDavid & Pat DaleDick DanielMark & Linda DarrallLoren DeegWill DitzlerSusie DunhamBill DykeJohn EliadesJane ElleryEric ErnstbergerPaul & Sue ErringtonFrancis FeistritzerPamela Fiederlein CampbellJud & Carey FisherLaurel FisherRobert & Elaine FisherJosie & Geoff FoxGene FranklandRobert & Julie FritzJean GadziolaWilliam & Gladys GalbrethMichael & Cathy GalliherDavid & Nancy GalliherArrick & Stacy GarringerDiana GodishJames & Martha GoodenLarry GrahamTom GreenRobert GreenMerrill GreeneRon & Amy GreggStanley GrinerRon GyureBrad & Holly HanauerLinda HansonJeffrey Hardy
Richard HarrisPatrick & Susan HelfrichJanis HendrixJack HenricksBarbara HesselgraveBarbara & Charles HouckAileen HowardGregory HuffmanJohn & Sheila IversonRaymond JamesBlake & Trish JanutoloRosemarie & James JefferyRich & Gwyn JonesRandy JonesMicayla JonesDavid & Cindy JonesMark & Mary Ellen KeeverStanley KeilTim KelleyRobert KerseyJoseph KinnardGary & Krista KiserRobert KoesterAlice KreisslerTom & Judy LoweAnthony MahonBob & Bev ManningDennis MarlowCharles & Charlotte MasonMelinda MessineoJammie MinniearJ. Paul & Lisbeth MitchellRay & Dianne MontagnoBruce MooreCharles & Helen MortensenSheryl MyersKathleen NazeKlaus NeumannGeorge NewmanDennis & Kathy NixonRichard NowakowskiAmy PangbornAlan & Cindy PatrickJon PedigoBruce PerkinsCharles PersingerJohn & Manisha PetersonJerry PierceMary Ann RaheJeffrey RayTammy ReddinMarissa RenzSteve RobertStephen RobinsonDavid RogersRollin Ward - MemorialJim Flowers & Annette RoseGeorge RoseDave & Ann Marie RossJerall & Joanie RossCharles & Janine RouthDonald RuchFreda RushSusie SadlerAlan SamuelsonPatricia Schaefer
Joel & Becky ScherrerJohn SchlechteSamuel SchwartzAndrew & Sharon SeagerLee ShaulMargaret SheffieldSandra ShireyBen ShrevesCathy SiebertJ Andrew SlackSteven & Barb SmithJennifer SmithWoody StatlerMartha Hunt & Barbara StedmanJames & Gail StewartMary Ann StewartAnne StudierMary Jane SursaLeslie SwiftSheryl SwingleyJohn & Susan TaylorDiana & Denny TaylorBob TaylorPhil TevisJosh ThomasGail TownsendJudith & Brad TruaxCraig & Cynda TurnerPhillip TuttleSue UlrichNancy UmbachRussell Vernon & Anita MartinAnnemarie VossWilliam & Ruth WakelandCarol WatkinsHarold WattBrian & Chelsea WattersDon & Carla WheeldonMichael WolfeMarjorie Zeigler
CORPORATE SUPPORTERS:Boyce SystemsDeFur VoranEco Logic First Merchants BankFlatland ResourcesHeartland Spirit NetworkIndiana Plein Air Painters
AssociationMinnestrista Gathering PlaceOld National Wealth
ManagementPraxis ConsultingRaymond JamesRobert Cooper Audubon Society
FOUNDATION PARTNERS:Ball Brothers FoundationThe Community Foundation of
Muncie & Delaware CountyGeorge and Frances Ball
FoundationHenry County Community
FoundationKakatu Foundation
2016 Supporters - Thank You!
*changes, errors or omissions, please contact: [email protected]
Success Over the Years
