On today's show I sat down with Andrea Huntington, executive director of the Indiana Land Protection Alliance (ILPA), which unites and supports Indiana's land conservation community.
ILPA member land trusts serve all 92 counties and have protected more than 176,000 acres. Huntington explains land trusts as nonprofit organizations that protect land for nature and people, often providing free public access via trails and amenities.
She shares her path from practicing law to fundraising at Shirley Heinze Land Trust and then leading ILPA, which offers trainings, conferences, and technical support for land trust staff. Huntington also discusses misconceptions about land trusts, collaboration with economic development, Indiana's ecological diversity, including 30 national natural landmarks, and the need for more conservation given only 4% of Indiana is public land, plus volunteer opportunities and "Land Trust Days" events August through October.
If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.
You are going to learn about:
- What a Land Trust Is
- Indiana's 30 National Natural Landmarks
- "Land Trust Days"
Thank you to our partners:
Keller & Keller
World Food Championships (enter code 25INDY at checkout and receive 25% off all event tickets)
AccountedFor
Check out these great clips from the show:
00:00 Orchid Hook
01:33 Guest Introduction: Andrea Huntington, Indiana Land Protection Alliance
02:49 What Is A Land Trust
04:04 Land Trusts vs. Parks
05:29 How Land Trusts Choose Land
08:10 Andrea's Path Into Conservation
08:49 Indiana Dunes Park Myth
11:11 Funding Stewardship Forever
12:25 Public Access And Easements
16:19 Shirley Heinze Origin Story
17:34 Dune And Swale Explained
19:34 Protecting Land In Practice
23:10 Why Conservation Matters
25:04 ILPA Role And Partnerships
29:14 Iconic Sites Kankakee Story
32:20 Central Indiana Preserves
34:54 ILPA Career Leap
36:12 Lilly Grant Impact
37:36 Alliance Support Explained
38:03 Stewardship Gathering
39:40 Big Oaks Refuge Detour
41:30 Indiana Nature Surprises
46:34 Favorite Places Old Growth
48:37 Land Trust Misconceptions
50:18 Why Indiana Feels Special
53:00 Public Land Hunting Talk
55:52 Hidden Gems Landscapes
57:55 Hoosiers To Watch
01:03:33 Wrap Up And Land Trust Days
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