Shalom Woods is Newest Addition to CILTI Holdings
A Relationship With The Woods - Mary Wollitz-Dooley
President's Message - Ralph Jersild
Groups Tackle Invasive Plants With Educational Brochures - Ellen Jacquart
Permanent Endowment Fund Established for CILTI
With this acquisition CILTI has added a woodland of more southern affinities. Tom Swinford, IDNR Regional Biologist and CILTI board member, describes it as an oak-hickory dominated forest characteristic of the unglaciated hill country of southern Indiana and Kentucky. High, dry ridges underlain by near-surface bedrock deposits of siltstone, shale, and sandstone are interspersed with moister ravines. Plants characteristic of the acidic, sharply drained, poor soils of the ridges are chestnut oak, black oak, pignut hickory, greenbriar, cleft phlox, and star chickweed. Red oak, American beech, white ash, painted sedge, yellow trout lily, and bloodroot are found in the more protected ravines.
They were attracted to the trees and the quiet. Often on arriving with their young children they would just sit for a while in their jeep, soaking in the peaceful woodland sounds, until one of the youngsters said "Well, I guess we better get out and noise it up!" They named their site Shalom Woods, a greeting of peace, reflecting their experience of the land.
From the start the Cohens loved the trees. Irving, who does woodcrafting, was aware of many species of hickory, oak, and walnut on their land though he never planned on harvesting their woods. When eventually one large walnut tree near the cabin had to be cut down, the wood was saved for use in projects. That includes a walnut frame he crafted for a lovely oil painting of their site produced by an artist friend. Shalom Woods also became a place to share with international students they hosted. Jane and Irving still delight in the comment by one mcd student from India: "I love your jungle." Spring and Autumn held special allure. As they frequented their woods all the Cohen family began learning about nature. Jane got her first close up look at a fox there. The children quickly learned where flying squirrels lived and made sure they got to see them glide, even if they had to tap thy base of their home tree until the squirrels came out to check on the disturbance. The Cohens attuned themselves to woodland wildflowers, learning about them as they experie nced their beauty, their habitat and life cycles. They made friends with the trees. Bluebirds used to greet them, and Jane was introduced to a Scarlet Tanager by its visits there. They discovered dewberries and dewberry cobbler then became a regular birthday treat. They would love to have found morels, and searched diligently for them, finding many species of mushrooms but none that are edible. Irving obtained and studied soil survey maps.
The Cohens did not see themselves as "back to nature types" at all, though they had to bring their own water with them and learn to conserve resources. Heat was supplied from one large fireplace. On one occasion they were confronted by a four foot copperhead snake at their front porch, causing Jane to send the children scampering back to the jeep. (Jane says its the only time they've ever promptly obeyed!) Their daughter Sarah was unnerved on another visit when she found a snakeskin in her bed. Reminiscing yields many stories, for example about wasps and hornets nests, and the time the creek flooded.
Though they had wanted to preserve the log cabin, it was lost when highway 67 was constructed through a corner of their property. There had been a spring on the land which was also lost when the highway went through. Now that the children are grown, the Cohens wanted to insure that their land would be preserved in its natural state beyond their own lifetimes. That led to the contacts and negotiations with CILTI which have now resulted in the property being deeded to the land trust. Irving is very clear that he does not want to see species lost, and Jane's wish for future generations is "enjoy!". Their heartfelt appreciation of this wildlife habitat has led to their generous gift. We are truly grateful.
In "The Sense of Wonder", the last book before her death in 1964, Rachel Carson eloquently describes the values of exploring the natural world as a child: to be able to "....drink in the beauty, and think and wonder at the meaning of what you see" for "those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." If our children are to carry this message forward into the future they must cultivate an intimate relationship with nature and experience the sights, sounds, and smells that are difficult to establish in a formal educational setting.
In this issue of the newsletter we celebrate the generous gift of Shalom Woods to CILTI from Jane and Irving Cohen. Shalom Woods is a beautiful upland oak-hickory woods in northern Morgan County, and was a retreat for the Cohen family during the years when their children were growing up. I have not had the honor of meeting the Cohen children, but I am confident that they have retained a deep and abiding love and appreciation for the natural world nurtured through times spent in their sanctuary among the trees. We cannot all be so fortunate to have this degree of contact with nature. We are indeed fortunate, however, for people like the Cohens who are dedicated to the preservation of our disappearing greenspace, and willing to transfer protection to organizations like CILTI to insure that generations of children to come will have an opportunity to appreciate what they, as owners, so lovingly cared for.
Providing opportunities for the youth of our community to experience more intimate relationships with our natural environment is a part of CILTI's educational mission. We are indebted to members, such as Tina Meeks (recently conducting a nature walk for local third grade class), who can provide their time and experience to introduce the wonders and mysteries of nature to our children. Children, our children's children and beyond are the ones to reap the benefits of protected nature areas, and the ones who will be the guiding force for their protection in the future.
"In my 16 years of growing up, I have learned that watching and listening to Mother Nature will tell us everything we need to know about caring for our world" Will Keaton in Outdoor Indiana.
"Invasive Plants in Indiana" describes the plants that have escaped from plantings to take over or threaten natural areas in the state. Bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard, purple loosestrife, and buckthorn are examples of aggressive, non-native species that have moved into Indiana's forests, wetlands, or prairies. They have smothered native plants and destroyed habitat for rare wildflowers and wildlife.
Two-thirds of all endangered species are threatened by invasive plants. Natural area managers like the IDNR - Division of Nature Preserves and The Nature Conservancy spend an estimated one-half million dollars a year to eradicate invasive plants which are threatening Indiana's natural areas. Invasive species like Johnson grass and Canada thistle also affect agriculture. Agricultural losses and control costs due to invasive plants are estimated at $15 billion per year in the United States.
"Landscaping with Plants Native to Indiana" offers recommendations to use in plantings instead of invasive species and gives a list of sources for plants and seeds. The recommended native plants thrive in Indiana's climate and are beneficial to wildlife. The brochures are a cooperative project of the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society, The Nature Conservancy, IDNR - Division of Nature Preserves, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, and the Indiana Academy of Science.
For copies of these brochures, send a self-addressed, stamped business-sized envelope with 55 cents postage to: The Nature Conservancy, 1330 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46208.
The Johnson County Community Foundation will invest the $20,000. Annually, it will distribute to CILTI five percent of the fund's principal, which will accumulate dividends, interest and capital gains. CILTI can use this income ($1,000 per year, initially) to support its programs, including acquisition, throughout CILTI's service area (not just in Johnson County). The Foundation charges a 1% annual management fee and strives to grow the funds it manages by about 10% per year above and beyond what it distributes. The result should be a reliable and growing source of income for CILTI in the years ahead.
Anyone can make a tax-deductible contribution to CILTI's fund by sending a check payable to the Johnson County Community Foundation, 18 W. Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 217, Franklin, IN 46131-2311. You should state in the check's memo or in a note that you wish to have your donation added to the "Central Indiana Land Trust Inc. Fund". In the case of substantial contributions, the Foundation may be able to make a match. To discuss this possibility, phone the Foundation's Executive Director, Sandy Daniels, at (317) 738-2213.
A gift to CILTI's endowment fund is truely a gift that will keep on giving. It is ideal for an organization, like CILTI, whose mission is to protect natural areas in perperuity.