20 Nov 2018

Mossy Point Nature Preserve (Parke Co., Indiana)

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Land Trust Adds to Mossy Point Nature Preserve

Posted: Nov 14, 2018 9:52 AM EST Updated: Nov 15, 2018 9:17 AM EST

By Reed Parker, Writer/Reporter

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PARKE COUNTY – The Mossy Point Nature Preserve in Parke County is growing after the Central Indiana Land Trust purchased 25 acres of adjoining land. The property abuts the 191-acre Mossy Point Nature Preserve, DNR’s Covered Bridge Retreat property, and Wabash College’s Allee Woods, which creates 700 acres of contiguous protected property.

“This is the most beautiful place we’ve ever protected,” Central Indiana Land Trust Executive Director Cliff Chapman said. “The terrain, the vegetation, the wildlife … it’s just a breathtaking display of natural Indiana. It’s like a small, unspoiled Turkey Run.”

The new acreage runs along Sugar Creek and includes a sandstone canyon and wooded areas that include white oak and shagbark hickory trees, along with bald eagles and other birds. The land acquisition was the quickest to date for the Land Trust. The owners, Cliff and Dixie Kunze, who are also Land Trust members, closed the deal in four weeks.

The Land Trust raised $191,000 to buy the property and to build a trail and gravel parking area that the public will be able to use beginning in the fall of 2019. Funding came from the State of Indiana’s President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Steve and Catherine Simon, Efroymson Family Fund and members of the Central Indiana Land Trust.

Mossy Point Nature Preserve

County: Parke
Size: 93 acres
Ownership: Central Indiana Land Trust
Location and Access
Parking
. No marked trails
The nature preserve is located 2 miles west of
Annapolis. . From the intersection of US 36 and US 41 in Rockville, Indiana head north on US 41 about 6.5 miles, to Annapolis Rd. Turn left (west) and follow Annapolis Rd through several turns to a stop sign. Go straight through the stop sign and onto the gravel road. As soon as the gravel road veers south, turn right (west) onto a gravel
drive at a mailbox marked 5922. The sign for Mossy Point will be through the gate and ahead on your right.
Description:
Mossy Point is characterized by dramatic high ridges interspersed with shady ravines and views
of Sugar Creek, one of Indiana’s most scenic and natural rivers. The high, dry ridges found throughout the
property are crowned with white oak and shagbark hickory. Rocky points extending down to the creek host
mature stands of eastern hemlock. Mossy Point Nature Preserve is host to a number of breeding populations of
forest interior birds,
Further Information:
Central Indiana Land Trust, 1500 N. Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN 46202. (317) 631-5263.
conservingindiana.org
Division of Nature Preserves Central Regional Ecologist,
Andrew Reuter
:
AReuter
@dnr.
IN
.gov