The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit 

The siltstone glade that runs south of the Black Rock Barrens and adjacent to NICHES' Weiler-Leopold Nature Reserve may be the only example of this habitat in Indiana's north central region.    

Location

Warren County

Ecoregion

North Central Tillplain

Size

100 Acres

Dedicated 

State Nature Preserve, 2002

Owned & Managed By

NICHES (Northern Citizens Helping Ecosystems Survive) Land Trust; gifted to NICHES by The Nature Conservancy of Indiana in 1999.

Partners 

Indiana Heritage Trust & Division of Nature Preserves

Conservation Efforts that been Done/are Targeted

NICHES is working on monitoring and removing exotic species and allowing a farmed field to revert back to its natural state. A burn plan is being developed in order to ensure natural growth.

Things To Do

What to See: Animals and Plants

Hickories and oaks share the forest floor with an understory different from those typical in the Central Tillplain forests. Plants such as wild indigo, ledge spikemoss, glade mellow,  birdfoot violet  and wild huckleberries create an unusual understory for the area. In some cases, plants common to the Barrens are rare nearby , or plants common in the area are unseen in the barrens. 

Visit in the spring when the lower areas are covered in sessile trilliums, blue pholx and large, showy colonies of wild hyacinth. Sightings of rare Cerulean Warblers and Bald Eagles have been recorded in this lovely wooded area. 

Plan Your Visit

A moderate to rugged trail is open and the property shares a parking lot with the NICHES Weiler-Leopold Nature Reserve which is available for hiking as well. Restrooms, trash receptacles and picnic facilities can be found in nearby Cicott Park just 3.2 miles to the west, just east of the riverfront town of Independence.

For More Information
Visit the NICHES Land Trust 

Directions

From the town of Independence in Warren County (northeast of Attica) take River Road east from the stop sign by the bridge over the Wabash. Go 3.3 miles. A parking lot and signs for Black Rock Barrens are on your right.

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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