Holley Savanna Nature Preserve

Why You Should Visit 
Holley Savanna is an oak woodland/former savanna mix which provides good wildlife habitat. Vernal, or ephemeral, pools are also found along with the interesting animals that make it their breeding ground.

Location
Newton County

Ecoregion
Central Tallgrass Prairie

Size
79 Acres

Owned & Managed By
The Nature Conservancy

How to Prepare for Your Visit
No trail exists at the preserve at this time but the easy terrain should not be hard to manage. Please read and follow the Conservancy's Preserve Visitation Guidelines for more information.  

Directions
From Rensselaer, travel west on S.R. 114 to C.R. 200E. Turn right (north) and travel roughly 2.4 miles to North State Road. Turn right (east) and travel 1.3 miles to the cemetery on the north side of the road, where there is a designated parking area. The preserve is on the north side of the cemetery.

What to See: Plants and Animals
A diverse selection of plants and animals, some which are endangered or threatened, make their home at the Holley. In the seasonal, vernal pools the freshwater fairy shrimp lives his whole life there while the tiger salamander makes it their breeding ground along with the chorus frogs, spring peepers and leopard & gray tree frogs. If you're lucky, you may spot the slender grass lizard - a special concern specie in Indiana - or the primrose-leaved violet, a state-threatened plant.

What The Nature Conservancy is Doing/has Done 
The Nature Conservancy is working with NICHES Land Trust in savanna restoration at the Holley. Periodic prescribed burns will take place as well.