From concept to creation it has taken Acres Land Trust, Little River Wetlands Project and the Historic Forks of the Wabash over a year and a half to complete their project.
On Saturday afternoon a large crowd filled the pavilion at the Historic Forks of the Wabash for the dedication of the Little River Landing Nature Preserve, which sits adjacent to the Forks of the Wabash.
Jack Sell president of the Forks of the Wabash welcomed everyone to the dedication and explained the new programming at the forks.
“Currently we are in the process of adding fourth-grade tours in addition to our other programming,” Sell said. “Right now we have 4,000 to 5,000 students come through the building each year.”
After introductions Sell handed the presentation over to Sean Nolan the executive director of LRWP.
“A little over a year and a half ago we got a call from the Forks of the Wabash looking to sell some property and they asked if we would be interested,” Nolan said. “When we found out the property was at the edge of our target area we told them we were very interested. We then called Acres and asked them if they were interested in the land as well and they were.”
The Forks of the Wabash was looking for a way to make some cash in order to finish the addition to their building in order to increase the amount of programming they could offer. They needed roughly $50,000.
“I called Robert Fettinger at the commission and asked them if they were interested and once they saw the significance of the plot of land we were looking at they agreed to put some money up as well.”
Nolan’s partner Jason Kissel told his side of the story before continuing on with the ceremony.
“This is a great story about three non profits coming together to save a property,” Kissel said. “When Acres and LRWP come together you can guarantee the property will be there 50 years from now. The experience that the community will have here is now heightened, because of the addition of the preserve.”
Kissel went on to explain why the property is historically significant and important to LRWP and Acres.
“This property at the confluence of the forks of the Wabash tells a story about people and land,” he said.
This is the third property for Acres in Huntington County, but the first for LRWP. Fettinger from the Heritage Corridor Commission was on hand and ready to make an important presentation before Acres, LRWP, the Forks of the Wabash and those in attendance.