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Nature Conservancy Opens Three New Trails in Newton County

Opening Ceremony on Saturday, September 27 at Kankakee Sands

MOROCCO, INDIANA —  The Nature Conservancy has been restoring its Kankakee Sands property for well over a decade, and thanks to three trails through the property, the public can view progress and enjoy the sights and sounds of the prairie.

The Conservancy will have a Trail Opening Ceremony on Saturday September 27th to introduce the three new trails on the Kankakee Sands Property to the public.  The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. CST at the Unit K Trail, located at Kankakee Sands Office at 3294 N U.S. 41.   

Staff and volunteers will be on hand to give guided hikes along the trails from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Apple cider and cookies will be offered at the trail heads.  The trails are all mowed, allowing for easy to moderate walks.  Allow 30 minutes to an hour for each walk.

“At Kankakee Sands, we are working hard to provide numerous plant and animal species the habitat they need in order to survive,” said Chip O’Leary, Project Director. “We encourage residents of Newton County, and all of Indiana, to visit the new trails and see how well these species are responding to our restoration work.

In 1996, three key natural areas in northern Newton County—Conrad Savanna, Beaver Lake Prairie and Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area—were imbedded within a matrix of corn and bean fields. To improve the long term survival of the plants and animals on those natural areas, The Nature Conservancy purchased 7,200 intervening acres from Prudential Insurance. This single purchase connected the three properties—a crucial step to ensure that plants and animals isolated on a single site would have a more natural bridge to interact, share genetic material and increase the vigor of the populations.

The Unit K Trail travels through low wet prairie (though not wet this time of year), out to the memorial rock and the shallow wetland excavation.  Visitors will see wetland plants in flower and seed, and are sure to see zillions of leopard frogs too.

The recently renovated Conrad Station Trail begins at the parking area on CR 725 N at the bend in the road, roughly ½ mile east of U.S. 41.  The loop trail takes you through the old town of Conrad, and through native savanna habitat.  Two informative steel signs are located along the trail describing the old town and savanna ecosystems.

The Unit B trail, one mile east of CR 200 W on CR 600 N, passes through tall grass prairie and short grass prairie.  The trail takes you to the top of a dune which has a scenic overlook, where an old Native American trading post was purportedly located.  The trail offers fantastic views of the surrounding prairies of Kankakee Sands and the neighboring DNR property, Beaver Lake Nature Preserve.

Children and adults of all ages are encouraged and welcome.  Bring family and friends! School groups are also welcome.

Those unable to attend the September 27th grand opening can hike the trails at their convenience.  Trails will remain open throughout the year.

Information about all of the trails and The Kankakee Sands Project can be found at the main visitor kiosk located at The Nature Conservancy Office on US 41.  For more information about the event, contact Kankakee Sands staff at 219-285-2184.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.