ACRES recently acquired 17 aces from Roger and Carla Wagoner, neighbors to its Wildwood preserve south of Warsaw, expanding the preserve and enclosing its small pond.

KOSCIUSKO — In addition to acquiring 19 acres south of Warsaw, among other larger ecologically rare and unique lands, ACRES Land Trust values the opportunity to work with its neighbors to expand existing nature preserves through smaller acquisitions.

“Adding to existing preserves will always be a priority to ACRES,” said Jason Kissel, executive director of the donor-supported organization. “Additions increase protection for the original preserve, expanding habitat or enclosing a natural feature, keeping it safe. Adding to the lands our donors protect reinforces ACRES’ promise to protect places forever.”

ACRES never pays more than the appraised value of land and often acquires property through bargain sales or donations, whereby land donors may receive tax benefit. Recent preserve additions span the organization’s 27-county service area.

Roger and Carla Wagoner, neighbors to ACRES’ Wildwood nature preserve south of Warsaw, gave the nonprofit the opportunity to purchase a 19-acre addition, enclosing the preserve’s pond and protecting the oldest part of the adjacent forest. The Conservation Fund provided funding for this addition.

These lands are being conserved, in part, by funding and technical assistance made available as mitigation for impacts caused by the construction and maintenance of the Reynolds Topeka Electric System Improvement Project in partnership with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

ACRES needs to raise $43,584 to complete this acquisition.