Greet the Newly-Named Shirley Heinze Land Trust by Paula Mchugh
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Volume 19, Number 18 Thursday, May 8, 2003 Greet the Newly-Named Shirley Heinze Land Trust by Paula McHugh Beware purple loosestrife and rejoice, Karner Blue butterfly: the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Inc. continues to serve as stew- ards for the native flora and fauna in LaPorte, Porter and Lake Counties. There have been several changes within the nonprofit envi- ronmental organization in the past year, including a new name and new staff. The former Shirley Heinze Environmental Fund name, according to new executive director Maureen Swed, was perceived too often as a funding source by non-local environmental organizations, rather than as a solicitor of funding for its acqui- sition of environmentally-significant parcels of land. The “inc.” added to the name is a legal formality. Maureen, a former National Park ranger, naturalist and inter- pretive guide who has served at parks in California, Arizona, and most recently, Alaska, took over duties of the Heinze Land Trust executive director last summer. The Rochester, Michigan native has already supervised the acquisition of 20 new acres of significant landscape in LaPorte County’s Amber Flatwoods, bringing the total acreage in this biodiverse area to 160. The Heinze Land Trust is not just about acquiring ecological- ly valuable lands, but also serving to restore, protect, preserve and educated people about native wetlands, prairies, savannas, —Maureen Swed assumed the Executive Directorship of the newly-named Shirley Heinze Land Trust last summer. Maureen is a former National Park ranger and naturalist who has served at Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, the Painted Desert, and Denali National Parks. Her husband is Chief Ranger at the IN Dunes National Lakeshore. swales and other natural flora and fauna of the area known as the southern Lake Michigan watershed. The organization has been carrying on its work since 1981, when it was first formed through an endow- ment by Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Seidnor in honor of the late Ogden Dunes resident, psy- chiatrist and dunes protector Shirley Heinze (pronounced like the ketchup brand). The Heinze Land Trust shares space at the “other” Barker House with sis- ter organizations Save the Dunes Council and Save the Dunes Conservation Fund. A group of hikers takes advantage of one of the scheduled Heinze Land Trust’s walks. Here the group explores Lerner Marsh (photo courtesy of Ron Trigg) Heinze Continued on Page 2 Page 2 May 8, 2003 911 Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN 46360 219/879-0088 • FAX 219/879-8070 In Case Of Emergency, Dial e-mail: News/Articles - [email protected] email: Classifieds - [email protected] http://www.bbpnet.com/ Published and Printed by THE BEACHER BUSINESS PRINTERS Delivered weekly, free of charge to Birch Tree Farms, Duneland Beach, Grand Beach, Hidden 911 Shores, Long Beach, Michiana Shores, Michiana MI and Shoreland Hills. The Beacher is also Subscription Rates delivered to public places in Michigan City, New Buffalo, LaPorte and Sheridan Beach. 1 year $28 6 months $16 3 months $10 1 month $5 Heinze Continued from Page 1 importance of preserving the beauty of fragile envi- “The (Heinze) organization has been here for 22 years ronments for people today and for generations to and its members and volunteers have been working come. Working in an urban park environment, as quietly (on land preservation) for quite some time,” opposed to the wide open spaces, say, of Denali, offers Maureen said, adding that specially-scheduled volunteer Maureen new perspectives and a different, although workdays for tasks such as pulling invasive plants, related, set of job duties. clear brush, or to collect or scatter seeds, could always use a few extra hands. The Heinze Land Trust cur- rently counts around 1,000 on its mailing list, and mon- etary contributions are as welcome as the hands-on work that individuals who value conservation and preser- vation provide. The Heinze Land Trust is steward to Blazing about 800 acres of environmentally significant land Star and Rattlesnake within the three counties. On the top of the organi- master are zation’s priority list is the conservation of a globally- just two of endangered dune and swale. According to Maureen, hundreds of native wild- some 85% of the area’s swales are gone. Saving the flowers that beauty and diversity of the natural landscape of our contempo- area, and keeping open and green areas enhance the rary and future lives of everyone living within the community. generations can admire, thanks to the work of the Shirley Heize Land Trust’s efforts. “It’s a multifaceted job,” Maureen said, adding that she enjoys the opportunity to form partnerships with others in environmentally-based programs at the local, county, state and federal levels. For example, the Heinze Land Trust works with the Indiana DNR, the Indiana Heritage Trust, the US Fish and Wildlife Participating in one (or more) of the hikes throughout the year can help Service, and the Nature Conservancy as preservation hikers learn to identify native wildflowers such as this partners in the protection of Ambler Flatwoods. brilliant red-orange Turk’s Cap. Because no trails have been developed as yet at the Having taken over the Heinze’ directorship from out- preserve, prospective visitors are asked to call the Land going leader Ron Trigg, Maureen said that her var- Trust office first for more information. ied duties run the gamut from writing deeds, writing The John Merle Coulter Preserve, an 84-acre prop- and administering grants, working on partnerships erty bordering Lake and Porter Counties just south with numerous community- and environmentally- of US 12, was dedicated last June. The Trust-acquired based organizations, fundraising, to fielding neigh- property had formerly been sand mined, but restora- boring property-owner’s complaints. With her back- tive efforts, which continue, have allowed for spectacular ground living in the backyards of the nation’s most wildflower displays, sightings of Karner Blue butterflies beautiful National Parks, Maureen knows well the and a bald eagle, and identification of close to 300 species May 8, 2003 Page 3 of native plants, 19 of which are considered rare or endangered in Indiana. An old railroad bed serves as Open ‘til 6 p.m. a walking trail at this preserve. Evenings This coming Sunday, (May 11), the Heinze Trust is sponsoring a hike titled “Migration Celebration in Dunes State Park,” be- ginning at www.littlehousefashions.comElegant Apparel for the sunrise. Dr. [email protected] Conscious Woman Ken Brock, Women’s Apparel author of Birds of the Indiana Dunes, will lead the group to The Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day observe up to 25 or 20% off Expires May 28 more war- bler species during this peak mi- gration weekend. This hike is limited to 25 people. Other A trail in Cressmoor Prairie, another parcel under the theme- stewardship of the Heinze Land Trust. based (photo courtesy of the Heinze Land Trust) excursions sponsored by the Heinze Trust are sched- uled in June, August, and September. Because most are limited to 20 people, it’s important to sign up early. There is a fee for each hike. Introducing Jasmine for Spring, 2003 We carry the full line of Vera Bradley’s patterns & styles. Tent Sale BARGAINS A field of Trillium in Ambler Flatwoods. (photo courtesy of the Heinze Land Trust) 40% off Last Sale Price In addition to the Hike Program, the Heinze Trust also organizes volunteer workdays. On Saturday, Meet Us For Lunch And A Style Show May 17, volunteers will travel to Bayless Dune in Lake WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 - HANNAH’S, NEW BUFFALO County to pull exotics. A garlic mustard pull is sched- uled for May 31st at Lake County’s Hidden Prairie, THURSDAY, MAY 15 - ROSKOE’S, LA PORTE and again on June 7th in Beverly Shores. 409409 AlexanderAlexander StreetStreet LaPorte,LaPorte, IN IN 326-8602 For more information about the Shirley Heinze OnOn Hwy Hwy 35 35 - - 55 BlocksBlocks South ofof Lincolnway Lincolnway Land Trust and its varied activities and volunteer oppor- TTurnurn RightRight on Alexander Monday - Friday 9:30 to 7 Saturday 9:30 to 5 tunities, contact the office at (219) 879-4725. Monday-Friday 10 to 6 Saturday 9:30 to 5 Page 4 May 8, 2003 Mother’s Day--May 11, 2003 Motherhood is.... Restaurant & Bar at Whittaker Woods ... a sudden grown-up feeling at the first pulse of life within you. FRIDAY NIGHT ... a surge of joy and tenderness at a baby’s first cry. SEAFOOD AND PASTA ... an aching back after housework is done, formulas BUFFET made, and baby is bathed and fed. ... watching them grow, thrilling at their first smile, first word, first step alone. Live Jazz Every ... caring for them through long sleepless nights of Friday & Saturday Night pain. ... teaching them how to walk and talk, and telling MOTHER’S DAY them about God and his wonders. ... parting with them when they start school. BRUNCH ... mending torn clothing, and buying new shoes for Reservations feet that grow too fast. Recommended ... taking them to the dentist. ... staying at their bedside and being there when Daily Lunch Specials they wake up from an operation. ... sharing enthusiasm over their efforts to achieve, and having pride in their success. Nightly Dinner Specials ... being tolerant of their adolescent traits; being kind to their friends. SUNDAY BRUNCH Bagels/Lox, Carving Station w/Prime Rib, ... helping them choose their graduation suit. Omelets made to order and many additional O'Brien’s specialties ... praying with an aching heart when they’ve gone overseas. Banquets and Customized Events ... feeling joy and thankfulness at their safe return. for the Intimate Group or Large Gathering ... sharing excitement and happiness at their wed- ding.