News

Planting Our Seeds: An Evening with the Founders

As NICHES celebrates its 30th year, we invite you to a panel discussion about the beginnings of our land trust. Executive Director Shannon Stanis and former board member Bill Arthur will lead the program.

2025 Summer Seasonal Stewards

In early August 2025, our Summer Seasonal Stewards, Maddy Parr and Cass Steininger, concluded their summer season interning with NICHES. Over 3.5 months, their efforts supported a range of projects including invasive species removal, site inspections, summer camp, and the transition into our stewardship facility space. 

Stewardship Facility Grand Opening on August 22

NICHES Land Trust (NICHES) is pleased to announce the completion of a new Stewardship Headquarters facility at its Kickapoo Cliffs preserve in Warren County.

2025 Black Rock Society Dinner Details

Join NICHES Land Trust as we celebrate recent accomplishments – and the supporters who have helped preserve and protect native habitats on Saturday, September 27.

2024 Annual Report

Dear NICHES Friends,

“A little niche here, little niche there” is adding up to nearly 5,000 acres! We are delighted to present you with this annual report.

Rooted in the Wildcat

In the early 1960s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed constructing three reservoirs in the Middle Wabash region by damming the Wildcat, Big Pine, and Sugar Creeks. The project aimed to address flood control, general recreation, and fish and wildlife recreation. However, the initiative was met with fierce local opposition.

The Acorn E-news: June 2025

Check out the June 2025 Edition of The Acorn e-newsletter for volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and updates from NICHES.

A Seed of Change: The Start of NICHES Land Trust

20th century environmental conservation efforts in our community fought for decades to prevent dams on the Wildcat and Big Pine Creeks, with success with state de-authorization of the dams in 1977 and later by Congress. Efforts to protect land in the region continued with The Nature Conservancy’s state chapter, the Wildcat Creek Foundation, and dedicated others. But urban development pressures continued to threaten natural areas, and the community still had limited public access to natural places for education, appreciation, and enjoyment.

Warren Prairie Sanctuary

Last fall, NICHES accepted a donation of a conservation easement (CE) over 3.4 acres in Warren County from Warren Prairie Sanctuary, Inc. (WPS).

30 Ways to Celebrate 30 Years

This year, NICHES Land Trust celebrates 30 years of helping ecosystems survive!