Description
Why You Should Visit
Dedicated as both a State Nature Preserve and a National Natural Landmark in 1977, Hoosier Prairie in Lake County hosts a surprising and stunning array of prairie plants and great ecological diversity amidst the industry of Northwest Indiana. The rolling topography and sandy soils create a variety of habitats that support more than 350 native species of plants, at least 43 of which are uncommon or rarely seen in the state, such as wild white indigo.
What The Nature Conservancy is Doing/Has Done
The Nature Conservancy, along with a coalition of organizations, worked hard to protect the land from 1976 through 2004. Around 2005, additional tracts of land were acquired and transferred to the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR continues stewardship work that will increase the ecological diversity of the preserve. The preserve is owned and managed by the Indiana Division of Nature Preserves and The U.S. National Park Service.
Work done at Hoosier Prairie is in partnership with DNR-Lake Michigan Coastal Program, Indiana Heritage Trust, and North America Wetland Conservation Act.