Grant Recipient:  Shirley Heinze Land Trust

 

Grant Award:  $34,900

 

Lake Basin:  Michigan

 

Project Location:  Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve in Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana

 

Project Description:  Shirley Heinze Land Trust and partners will improve habitat quality on 60 acres of a boreal flatwoods habitat complex at the Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve in northwestern Indiana.  With the assistance of local college students, the Trust will restore and improve ecosystem function in this portion of the 350-acre Preserve, located in the headwaters of the Lake Michigan tributary known locally as “White Ditch.”   Project activities include: 1) control of 14 invasive plant species through cutting and herbicide application; 2) removal of four abandoned structures on two former home sites; and 3) planting of 2,000 trees.  This restoration will both directly and indirectly benefit a variety of wetland habitats and several species of reptiles and amphibians that depend on them.  This project will also increase local conservation capacity by training students in ecological restoration and encouraging neighboring landowners to engage in ecological stewardship of the boreal flatwoods ecosystem within the watershed.

 

	Four abandoned structures will be removed as part of the project. Native plant cover will be re-established at the sites. Photo courtesy of Shirley Heinze Land Trust.