MUNCIE, Ind. — The Durto-Ernst forest preserve sits three miles southwest of Ball State University’s campus and contains paths that cross through both prairies and woods, for walking, jogging and biking. This family-friendly forest preserve is free to the public and welcomes the community with its organic beauty.
Dutro-Ernst serves to inform and encourage everyone in the community to explore the local nature. This forest preserve contains several features that cater to the public. Located right at the preserve’s entrance is a nature play area stacked with logs and rocks for children to play on. In addition to this, signs are located all throughout the trail to teach kids about the land and the species that reside around the area. These are meant to promote environmental literacy in the youth of Muncie.
Beyond serving the children in Muncie, Dutro-Ernst has become a beacon of communion for community members. If you travel down the gravel path, you will pass by a stick village built and maintained by community members themselves. Red-tail Land Conservancy Outreach Coordinator Kendalynn Ross recognized the importance of establishing a relationship with the environment.
“I think it’s really important that the community knows that people are allowed in nature,” Ross asserted. She continues, saying, "I feel like having urban nature areas, like Dutro, allows the community to see that there are ways that you can get involved.
The community plays a big role in keeping the conservation of Dutro-Ernst alive. The public has access to unique opportunities such as helping in efforts to reseed the prairie, or weeding out invasive species on the preserve’s grounds.
Ross encouraged Muncie residents to connect to the wildlife.
“I always say just reach out. Going on our website, looking at social media, and signing up for those events, that’s all great ways to help us see that the community still cares, but also for us to know what the community is looking for and what role they want to play in this,” said Ross.
Thanks to Red-tail Land Conservancy and several key donors, the legacy of this urban nature preserve lives on. To learn more about Dutro-Ernst’s rich history and the many ways you can support the conservancy’s efforts, visit Red-tail Land Conservancy's website at fortheland.org.
Contact Tatum Harris with comments at tatum.harris@bsu.edu
