Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (East & West)


Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (East & West) protects riparian ecosystems in the floodplain of the Wabash River. Both preserves feature recovering former ag land and forested areas dominated by cottonwoods, sycamores, and honey locusts. Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (East) contains nearly 30 acres of rare sand barrens habitat that NICHES stewardship is working to reclaim and restore. Both preserves also present an opportunity to expand the habitat of the rare Plains Leopard Frog that has been recently documented at nearby preserves. 

 


Activities

  • Bird Watching
  • Mushroom Harvesting Allowed
  • No Trails
  • Wildflowers


History of Acquisition and Property

NICHES purchased Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (West) in 2018 and Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (East) in 2022. Both purchases were supported by the Laura Hare Charitable Trust. Other community partners that helped make the acquisition of Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (East) possible include the Whistler Foundation, McAllister Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette.


How to Get There

Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (West) is not currently accessible to the public. Laura Hare Bend of the Wabash (East) is open for the public to explore but doesn't currently have any maintained hiking trails, parking is available at our nearby Granville Sand Barren Preserve. 



Noteworthy Information

West: Not accessible to the public.
East: Accessible to the public (parking available at our nearby Granville Sand Barrens Preserve)


Closures

Closed in November for Deer Control Hunt

Number of Acres

(West: 27) (East: 194)