News, Events & Resources

There is still time to make your Legacy Society gift for the future and receive $1,000 NOW for the Conservancy in our Legacy Society Bequest Challenge, ending at the close of 2024.

As we begin this summer season, we are reminded of the importance of our clear waters here at Clear Lake. Learn what we've been doing in year 3 of the Watershed Diagnostic Study Project and changes you may notice this season.

Learn about what we are doing to fight Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) and other invasive aquatic plants as we continue to protect our lake environment.

Note - The Brennan Woods loop trail is still open. Only the Prairie Trail is closed for the season.

We are on the final steps of our prairie trail project at Clear Lake Nature Preserve! We are seeding the trail with turf grass to enhance the pathway. While the trail will be closed during this maintenance, we are looking forward to an improved prairie hiking experience in 2025.

With the conclusion of the 2024 Knee-high Naturalist summer programming, the Conservancy is proud to celebrate 20 years of Environmental Education for our community youth!

Thanks to our many sponsors, volunteers, and participants, our Run Day, Fun Day community celebration and fundraiser was a tremendous success. Your contributions raised over $38,500 to support the Conservancy’s ongoing expenses of water quality monitoring, land conservation, educational programs, and operations. Thanks to your support, we can continue our work to preserve, protect, and manage our Clear Lake environment so that these summer celebrations and fond lakeside memories will continue for generations to come. Thank you for your support!

Have you seen the updates at the Tribute Garden at Memorial Woods? Thanks to a great group of volunteers and a generous Thrivent Grant, our Tribute Garden is the perfect place to remember your loved ones.

Applications for the cost-share grant from the Land Trust Alliance for glacial stone seawall projects have been reopened and are now available. Click here for application information!

We are proud to continue to preserve, protect, and manage this special place for future generations. Review all that we accomplished with your support in 2023 in our Annual Report. THANK YOU for being a part of our mission.

View the final Walking in Beauty as Amy Oberlin signs off and writes about a few spring flowers that can be found in our preserves as the season continues.

The distinctive leaves of trout lilies appeared at Waterfield Preserve recently. Eventually, this spring ephemeral will sport a delicate yellow bloom. Read more in this week's edition of Walking in Beauty.

Clear Lake resident Don Luepke shared a photo of snowdrops this week. Other signs of early spring are coming to Clear Lake. Read about it in this week’s edition of Walking in Beauty.

A prescribed burn of Spangler Grove will be conducted today at 1 PM by Blue Heron Ministries.

These ruby red blooms, just centimeters tall, growing in moss on a fallen tree near Koeneman Lake, are a sampling of the winter gems revealed when the snow melted. See more in this week’s edition of Walking in Beauty.

White-tailed deer, like this one photographed in mid-November at Elizabeth Hanna Nature Preserve, are adapted to live in the cold, wet wilds of northern Indiana. Learn about Clear Lake deer in this week’s Walking in Beauty by Land Steward Amy Oberlin.

Flora Husselman Trumbull Nature Area still sports natural greenery during the cold days of December. Land Steward Amy Oberlin shares the scene in this week’s edition of Walking in Beauty.

A fresh blanket of snow covered Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy preserves this week. Land Steward Amy Oberlin shares some photos in this week's edition of Walking in Beauty.

The puffy white pods of false boneset grace the dried flower bouquet rustling in the fall breezes at Brennan Woods. Read about a recent day in the woods in this edition of Walking in Beauty, by Land Steward Amy Oberlin.

Land Steward Amy Oberlin shares her experiences from last week's Indiana Land Protection Alliance Stewardship Gathering in Warren County.

The Clear Lake Conservancy's Glossary of Terms includes many of the keywords that appear regularly in our communications.

Oak galls on fallen leaves at Brennan Woods display eye-catching colors and shapes when magnified and photographed, though they appear to be white circular scales to the bare eye. Learn about oak gall in this week’s edition of Land Steward Amy Oberlin’s blog, “Walking in Beauty.”

The Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy has received a grant from the Land Trust Alliance providing cost-share matches to property owners installing glacial stone over concrete seawalls.

Click here to read articles that include the Conservancy from the Herald Republican and other local news sources. Check back often for local coverage of the Conservancy.

Madi here with the finale of my What's Moving with Madi column.

Have you seen the trail improvement at Brennan Woods? We want to hear from you!

Have you noticed the swarm of bugs?

Join our land steward at the Elizabeth Hanna Nature Preserve to help control invasive garlic mustard!

February 20 - 26 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week.

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

Many Board members and staff have gotten questions about a proposal for a new cattle operation in Steuben County. We are sharing what we know at this time.

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

Hi everyone, Madi here. Ever wonder where all the critters go during the cold months? Now's your chance to learn more about frogs! Check back often for other critters winter habits!

Hi everyone, Madi here. Ever wonder where all the critters go during the cold months? Now's your chance to learn more about turtles! Check back often for other critters winter habits!

One of our founders, Kathy Latz, shared news of a planned gift of land!

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

A special collaboration with the Steuben County Community Foundation in celebration of their 30th Anniversary!

The Board is accepting applications for our new Executive Director.

Check out this fact sheet from the IN Department of Environmental Management.

Why are we seeing so many dead fish?

Check back often for updates on this multi-year water quality data collection project!

We are seeing algae in Round Lake. Is the treatment responsible for this?

We are sad to say goodbye to Elizabeth but we are excited for her and a new career opportunity.

Learn about the causes of wave action and ways to reduce the effects of waves produced by wind and powerboats in freshwater inland lakes.

Join us in welcoming our summer intern!

We have a new program for volunteers to support the upkeep of our trails.

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

Conservancy volunteer John Wilhelm holding the completed sign for the trailhead kiosk at Clear Lake Nature Preserve.

Staff brought home the Outstanding Implementation Project Award!

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

Please view the recorded public meeting with Dr. Robin Scribailo from Purdue University to learn about his findings and suggested treatment from the Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan.

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

Double your impact this #GivingTuesday! All gifts will be matched $1 for $1, up to $15,000!

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

A round of applause from all of us to Tom, his friends and everyone who volunteered on our properties in 2021!

We love the new utility vehicle, and all of the other donations you have provided! Please see the updated Wish List for more office, outreach, and stewardship needs. Thank you!

We have many CLTLC logo items available this season for all of your gift giving needs!

Learn about blue-green algae, what it is, why it happens, and how you can identify a blue-green algae bloom.

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

My oak tree was defoliated! What can be done?

We have lots of items for sale this summer with our logo!

In an effort organized and led by volunteer members of the Water Quality Committee, we’ve collected data for over a decade on the county-regulated ditches flowing into Clear Lake and on the lake itself. Results indicate a decrease in water clarity shown in the Clear Lake Secchi depth readings and an increase in nutrient levels...

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

What's that swarm of bugs?

“Water quality is an important measure and we don’t have any other measures. Thank goodness someone came up with the program,” Mary Jo Fitzenrider said when referring to the Hoosier Riverwatch program. And those measures Mary Jo praises? Those are the parameters that volunteers have been testing on the ditches flowing into Clear Lake for decades...

Meet Elizabeth Strick, our new Land Steward! Read her brief bio and help us welcome her as the newest staff member of the Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy.

All Kasota Project updates will be posted here. Check back regularly.

Update and apologies!!

When thinking about pollinators, the first to come to mind is often the European honey bee (Apis mellifera). Although not native to America, it is the most well-known member of the bee family. Familiar sayings abound such as “Busy as a bee”. It is the only insect that directly produces a food for human consumption – delicious sweet honey.

We are hiring! Learn more about this career opportunity at the Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy.

Mark your calendar for the Great Conjunction!

This is part three of a three part series on trees. Learn all about the services that trees provide for us.

A native tree riddle! What is your guess?

What native tree is often associated with this breakfast treat?

The conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn are called great conjunctions. Because they occur only every twenty years, they are a special treat for sky watchers!

Join us each Friday in July for our Knee-high program! Click above to RSVP. All attendees will be expected to follow all coronavirus safety guidelines and social distancing recommendations.

Who is this and what does he have to do with our next native tree feature?

Contact us for your very own Conservancy flag!

Our office is closed but our nature preserves are open. Enjoy some time outside!

Learn about light pollution and over-lighting impacts on humans and the environment. Several ideas and resources are included to reduce over-lighting.

Help us take advantage of a $2,500 match!

It’s almost go time! Learn how you can participate.

Even $10 makes an impact! Learn how.

Mark your calendar - Tuesday, Dec. 3

Kasota Island Landscaping

Meet Tracy Hughes, our new Program Assistant for Conservation and Stewardship! Read her brief bio and help us welcome her as our newest staff member of the Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy.

There’s a new house in Brennan Woods. Naturalist Fred Wooley was inspired to install it after he spotted a prothonotary warbler there earlier this summer. Get the full story on this uncommon bird visitor here, including the source of its legal-sounding name.

View recorded video and powerpoint slides here.

American Robin and Baltimore Oriole - What do these birds have in common?

Sponsorships are available for community businesses and to honor your family’s commitment to Clear Lake memories and future memories through the Conservancy.

We have an immediate opening for a part-time Program Assistant. We are seeking a motivated individual with interest in land and water conservation!

KPC has created a web page for the news about the Michindoh Aquifer project.

Describing the differences and similarities for "land trust", "land conservancy" and "conservancy or conservation district".

Information on our water quality testing tools and measurements.

Sandhill cranes, learning characteristics of a variety of oak leaves, and topping the tallest peak in Brennan Woods were a few highlights of the hike!

The permitting process for the IN Dept. of Environmental Management requires the public to have an opportunity to give input. Learn how to share your input and see full project details.

Autographed photo of the Chainsmokers will be in the auction at Conservancy Spiritfest!

Just installed at Spangler Grove!

will resume in November.

Sunday Fun Day pirate flag brings in generous donation for the Kasota Island shoreline project!

Volunteers are the heart, soul and hands of any organization. The Conservancy is blessed with terrific volunteers and we hope we have captured all the names on this list.

and the preserve is closed to the public.

Annual water quality monitoring has begun!

Welcome to our new website! Please take a look around. We are excited to share this with you. We hope that our new website will be a link between us, CLTLC, and you, the community. We will post news and events here and we encourage you to explore the tabs at the top outlining our programs, preserves, and ways you can get involved!

P.S. look up at the corner, at our new logo! Like it? We sure do!

View our recently adopted Strategic Plan.

The CLTLC has the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Stop in and shop with us.

Clear Lake Town Hall
111 Gecowets Drive

Email info@clearlakeconservancy.org

Or Call Tracy 260-402-6698

With the changes of the autumn season, the Conservancy has welcomed change in a new staff member. Land Steward, Joe Bernard, has joined the CLTLC team alongside Caroline and Tracy.

We have a NEW DONOR MATCH now through the end of 2024!

Get your 2025 calendar and more today.
"The Wildlife of Clear Lake Township"

The Conservancy is now accepting applications for a Land Steward to assist with maintenance and upkeep of our 19 land preserves totaling just under 150 acres.

This NASA graphic shows what the total solar eclipse would look like from behind the moon. Read this article to learn about the local eclipse experience.

At Clear Lake, we find many ways to honor and remember our loved ones. The Conservancy is introducing the Tribute Garden at Memorial Woods to provide a peaceful space dedicated to these tributes. View this article to read more about the Tribute Garden.

Learn about cisco fish, their sensitive habitat needs in freshwater lakes, and how they may act as an indicator of water quality.

Damage and stress create permanent scars on trees such as this one at Flora Husselman Trumbull Nature Area. The holes and hollows in trees, both living and dead, attract and shelter wildlife. Learn about the trees of Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy in this week's edition of Walking in Beauty.

We are excited to share that, with two recent property acquisitions, we now own and preserve 45 more acres of land in the Clear Lake Township! The Conservancy's current holdings total just under 150 acres of land, protected forever.

The snow on this fallen limb under a tree at Koeneman Lake captured the imprints of squirrel activity. Learn how to identify animal tracks in the snow in this week's edition of Walking in Beauty by Land Steward Amy Oberlin.

Borton Wetland Nature Preserve is a historic Clear Lake property with a lot of natural splendor, including a massive white oak tree. Get a glimpse inside the diverse property in this week's edition of Walking in Beauty, by Land Steward Amy Oberlin.

Giving Tuesday 2023 was on November 28th. Click here to see our Giving Tuesday results and one success story highlighting the impact that we can have when we join together to protect, preserve, and manage the natural environment of the Clear Lake Township.

We have many CLTLC logo items available this season for all of your gift giving needs!

A new trail is coming soon to Clear Lake Nature Preserve. Learn about it in this week's blog by Land Steward Amy Oberlin.

Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy Executive Director Caroline Barth was one of the first to try out the Indiana Land Protection Alliance selfie station at the fen overlook at Brennan Woods. Learn more about the selfie station and fen in this week's edition of Walking in Beauty, by Land Steward Amy Oberlin.

With over 200 participants and 330 outreach hours on four Fridays in July, the 2023 season of Knee-high Naturalists continues to uphold our pillar of providing environmental education for generations to come.

Land Steward Amy Oberlin shares her experiences on an impromptu wildflower walk with Blue Heron Ministries in her weekly blog, Walking in Beauty.

Great news! The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of our new Executive Director, Caroline Barth.

It's not too late to enjoy any of these great summer hikes in Indiana!

Despite a rainy morning, the July 8, 2023 Fun Day & Run was a tremendous success, thanks to our many sponsors, volunteers, and all the participants! Including our generous sponsor support, we raised over $58,000 for the Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy! Get the details here!

Review all that we accomplished in 2022 in our Annual Report. Thank you to our incredibly supportive community. We couldn't do it without YOUR SUPPORT!

Prescribed fire at Town Hall's pollinator patch - if weather permits.

Prescribed fire at Spangler Grove - if weather permits.

New this year, the Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District is offering native plant kits for sale until March 20, 2023. Kits available are: Prairie Grass, Prairie Wildflowers, Rain Garden, and Shade plants. Each kit contains 50 plant plugs and costs $150.00. Orders and payment must be received by March 20, 2023, and kit pickup will be on June 8 and 9, 2023, at the Steuben County SWCD office. For more details, see: https://steubenswcd.org/2023/native-plant-kit-sale/

Learn the benefits of different shorelines and how to improve existing shorelines.
Read the Blue Paper here

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

Following an extensive search process, the Board has found the next Executive Director to lead the Conservancy.

Hi everyone, Madi here. I will be posting the critters I come across while I'm out and about here. Check back often!

Not surprisingly, some are asking, why all this activity in the Clear Lake Nature Preserve & Brennan Woods? We're glad you are interested! Click here for project updates!

You have an incredible opportunity to protect the Clear Lake Township and Watershed for the benefit of everyone!

We have many CLTLC logo items available this season for all of your gift giving needs!

The 2022 summer season was a busy one for our Outreach and Education Committee and staff...

Madison Parker joins the Conservancy staff as the Land Steward.

Bridget Harrison announces her resignation. The Conservancy is in its strongest position since it was founded thirty-one years ago! The Board is planning for the next chapter.

The start of school is right around the corner, so our summer intern must say goodbye. Read about Izzy's summer spent working at the Conservancy.

Do you have a minute to spare? We want to know about your shoreline!

Izzy here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I'm out and about. Check back often!

For a $20 donation, you can enjoy the scenes of Clear Lake Township all year! Contact our office to get your calendar.

Check out our UPDATED list of auction items!

Elizabeth & Izzy here. We will share what we see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as we are out and about. Check back often!

Looking for fun, hands-on experience this summer?

You have heard us talk about the three pillars that guide our everyday work – natural areas preservation, water quality enhancement, and environmental education. We often focus on what WE are doing in those areas to support our mission. We’ve been inspired to highlight how area youth have supported our three pillars.

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

The CLTLC has the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Shop with us!

Results are in!!

Thank you to the Cramers for assisting in macroinvertebrates sampling and for providing such a delicious lunch!

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

That's a wrap! The Knee-high Naturalists met 5 times in July, totaling over 350 hours of outreach and education. Hear about the topics and see pictures of all the fun here!

Project converts a tenth of an acre of turf grass to native pollinator habitat at Clear Lake Town Hall!

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

Check out the event recap! Many thanks to all participants, sponsors, prize donors, and supporters of this event!

We are ecstatic to share that our loop trail in Brennan Woods is complete! In late June, 21 Conservancy friends and members of Forever Improving Steuben County Together (FIST) came together to complete the trail building project...

Learning at every age.

Details on our recently completed Clean Stream project along the Cyrus Brouse Ditch!

Seeing metal at Koeneman Lake Nature Preserve? Check out what's going on.

By WILLIAM L. CULBERTSON
They’re coming! Be aware! They’ll rise up out of the ground by the billions with bulging red eyes and stocky bodies. Their lurid, high-pitched whine will echo throughout the Great Lakes and beyond...

Elizabeth here. I will share what I see blooming on the CLTLC preserves as I am out and about. Check back often!

Click here to read articles that include the Conservancy from the Herald Republican and other local news sources. Check back often for local coverage of the Conservancy.

Nature's Most Reliable Delivery Service

The Clear Lake Land Conservancy made great progress in 2020 improving the trails in Brennan Woods, a part of Clear Lake Nature Preserve (CLNP). Over the summer, Bob Martin, George Schenkel, Terry Newcomb, Mary Ann Walter, John Wilhelm, and Dave Drogos designed, constructed, and installed our trailhead information kiosk. The roofed double-sided structure, near the preserve parking area, will house our trail map, announcements, and educational posts.

Share your Clear Lake Township love story with us!

The mission of every living being, including plants, is to reproduce, thereby creating offspring for the next generation. Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male portion (anther) of the flower of a plant to the female portion (stigma) enabling fertilization and the production of seeds.

We set a goal to raise $15,000 with a $1 for $1 match, up to $15,000. How did we do?

Make a difference on December 1.

This is part two of a three part series on trees. Learn all about the services that trees provide for us.

What's up with the weeds?

What native lower story tree can always be identified by its bark?

Creating streams of income!

Our Outreach & Education Committee has compiled a list of books all about trees for children, adult non-fiction and fiction, field guides and a link to tree poetry. Enjoy!

While winter weather continues to stick with us, we can still find elements of nature to admire. Read about this icy phenomenon!

This is part one of a three part series on trees. Learn all about the services that trees provide for us.

What native tree produces acorns that resemble this fuzzy hat?

Read the recent coverage in the Herald Republican

What native tree produces these bright, fragrant flowers?

We reached 100% of our Giving Tuesday goal, and YOU made it possible!

Giving Tuesday is the year's most exciting donation celebration, and it starts tomorrow. PLUS we have a $2,500 match opportunity!

Which birds have solid bones?

Check out this ~2 minute video from the Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District.

What species of bird sounds like an oinking pig?

We could have burned the piles of debris left from a restoration project on the western edge of Clear Lake Nature Preserve. But having three giant, smoky fires did not fit our mission. Read all about the partnership with the Northeast Indiana Solid Waste Management District on this project.

Clear Lake Nature Preserve will be closed next Monday & Tuesday

Event sponsors support our work and believe in our mission. Help us thank them by showing your support!

Overview of common land management practices including forest health improvement, selective harvests, herbicide application, and mowing.

Michindoh Aquifer - Updates

Defining a conservation easement and describing its purpose.

Executive Director Bridget Harrison attended the North American Lakes Management Society to accept an award.

Missed the plant ID workshop in August but curious to know what plants you might have along your shoreline?

Abundance of Plants & Algae

Turbidity and Brennan Woods

The Lands Committee is taking a close look at each of our nature preserves. Click here to find out why.

And thank you to everyone for voting! Click for the full story.

It's fast and easy.
-Click the link.
-Vote.
-Share with everyone.

Next time you come visit the Conservancy office at Town Hall and the door is locked, please ring the bell. If we are in we'll come up and greet you at the door!

Welcome Jonathan Moss.

What can poop up to 6 pounds per day, have up to 11 offspring per year, and eat up to 8 pounds of native shoreline vegetation per day?

The basin work will be wrapped up this spring.

The dam reconstruction and sediment removal project at the Koeneman Lake Nature Preserve has been completed!

Article published in the Aug. 4 Herald Republican.

Wondering about the colorful flags on the corner of SR 120 and Fountain Beach Drive?

The original article & photos, by Fred Wooley, can be found in the June Rustling Grass, Blue Heron Ministries's monthly newsletter.