The public is invited to a celebration of the dedication of Lydick Bog as an Indiana State Nature Preserve on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 11:00am Eastern Time. The event will include a dedication ceremony, guided hikes and light refreshments. It will take place at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve, located at 25898 US 20, in South Bend, Indiana.
The ceremony will include remarks by Ron Hellmich, newly appointed Director, Division of Nature Preserves of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; Scott Namestnik, a local botanist who was instrumental in the protection of property, and Kristopher Krouse, Executive Director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust.
Lydick Bog officially received the State Dedicated Nature Preserve status in January of this year. The designation adds additional protection for the plants, animals and natural communities which are found there, and protects the property in perpetuity from development which would harm its natural character. Lydick Bog is the sixth Shirley Heinze Land Trust preserve to receive the Indiana State Nature Preserve designation.
Acquired by Shirley Heinze Land Trust in 2016, the 178-acre preserve contains wetlands interspersed with high ridges and islands of upland forest. Wetland habitat encompasses approximately 65 acres of the property. Many interesting plant species characteristic of bog habitats have been identified on site, including round-leaved sundew, pitcher plant, winterberry, tamarack, and large cranberry. Twenty acres currently in agricultural production are being reforested.
At the entrance to the site, existing structures have recently been demolished and cleared in preparation for the development of public access amenities. A master plan developed for the nature preserve includes the construction of a boardwalk, pavilion, restroom facilities, parking lot, trails, signage, and a maintenance garage.
The Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, The Conservation Fund, and NIPSCO were integral to the protection of Lydick Bog. This land is being conserved, in part, by funding and technical assistance made available as mitigation for impacts caused by the construction and maintenance of the Reynolds Topeka Electric System Improvement Project in partnership with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has protected, restored and maintained northwestern Indiana’s rich and significant natural communities, including tallgrass prairie, high dune, oak savanna, boreal flatwoods, dune-and-swale, woodlands, marshes, swamps, ponds, fens, bogs, and riparian habitat. More than 2,400 acres in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and St. Joseph Counties have been preserved for the public’s benefit. Shirley Heinze nature preserves feature significant scenic and ecological value, and most are open to the public for hiking and enjoying nature. Six of its properties have been dedicated to the people of Indiana as state nature preserves. The organization also works to educate people of all ages to appreciate the importance of land conservation, and to experience the natural wonders of this unique region. Its work is accomplished through a partnership of volunteers, donors, and professionals. For more information on the work and nature preserves of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, visit their website here, call (219) 242-8558, or access their Facebook page.