(Photo provided by Shirley Heinze Land Trust)
Shirley Heinze Land Trust has honored Claudia Wood as Volunteer of the Year. The nonprofit says Wood spent her time conducting water quality monitoring, maintaining trails as an Adopt-A-Trail steward at Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve as well as supporting a variety of other volunteer projects. Wood was also a 2023 Bringing Nature Home award recipient. Additionally, Shirley Heinze says it recognized Hans Lagoni, Dale Nichols, and Evie Kirkwood for their significant volunteer contributions throughout the year. Shirley Henize Land Trust celebrated a cumulative 3,615 volunteer hours dedicated since October 2022. The appreciation event was held October 19, 2023, at the Meadowbrook Nature Preserve pavilion.
From environmental stewardship to water quality monitoring, Shirley Heinze Land Trust says its volunteers play an integral role in advancing the mission of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. “Their dedication and passion amplify our efforts, allowing us to achieve incredible milestones.” said Jim Haniford, Volunteer Coordinator. “We look forward to continuing to grow a community of dedicated nature enthusiasts,” Haniford added.
Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has preserved and restored natural lands and waters in northwestern Indiana, including some of the rarest landscapes in the state. More than 3,000 acres in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke, and Marshall Counties have been protected. The organization said it also strives to build connections between communities and nature by engaging people of all ages in its work. For more information on the work and nature preserves of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, visit www.heinzetrust.org , call (219) 242-8558, or access its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/heinzetrust .
