MERRILLVILLE — A joint effort between Northern Indiana Public Service Company and several area environmental organizations will result in nearly 1,630 acres of land preserved and restored for public education and enjoyment, with an additional focus on improving the biodiversity and habitats for many of the region’s plant and animal life.

NIPSCO provided nearly $2 million to fund the acquisition and restoration of several local properties as part of a consent decree between NIPSCO, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. 

The project sites were selected by an advisory stakeholder group, which included NIPSCO, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Save the Dunes and The Nature Conservancy.

In total, 183.5 acres of land will be protected and another 1,444.6 acres of land will involve a range of restoration efforts. 

“The protection of our region’s natural environment is not only important to recreation and tourism, but it is critical to our overall health and well-being,” Kelly Carmichael, vice president of environmental safety and sustainability for NIPSCO and NiSource, said. “We are proud that this collaborative effort is among some of the largest land conservation and restoration efforts in northwest Indiana’s recent history, and one that will leave a lasting impact on future generations.”

Among the project sites included in the effort were the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Shirley Heinze Land Trust.

“This is a great project for Northwest Indiana and everyone living in the region. It has enabled Shirley Heinze Land Trust to preserve and restore land within the moraine forest, as well as floodplain habitat within the Little Calumet River Corridor. These enhancements improve habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, and provide increased educational and recreational opportunities for the public,” Kris Krouse, executive director for Shirley Heinze Land Trust, said.

Projects from the effort included:

• Canonie “Discovery School Property” and Munson Place, Porter County (National Park Service)
• Don and Mary Frame Little Calumet Conservation Area, Porter County (The Izaak Walton League)
• Little Calumet Wetlands at the Keith Richard Walner Nature Preserve, Chesterton (Shirley Heinze Land Trust)
• Liverpool Nature Preserve, Lake Station (Indiana Department of Natural Resources)
• McCloskey Burr Oak Savanna Nature Preserve, Hobart (Indiana Department of Natural Resources)
• Meadowbrook Nature Preserve, Liberty Township (Shirley Heinze Land Trust)
• Pannes at West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore West Beach (National Park Service)
• Pinhook Bog, Coolspring Township (National Park Service)
• Smith Family Properties, Porter County (Porter County Parks & Recreation)
• South Long Lake Uplands and Wetland Margins (National Park Service)