WARSAW — Gene Stratton-Porter, one of Indiana’s most beloved authors, will be at the center of this year’s Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation annual meeting during the organization’s event Feb. 19 in the 2517 Center in Warsaw.

Tiffany Parker

During the program, Tiffany Parker, an interpretive naturalist at the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site in Rome City, will serve as keynote speaker. In addition to speaking about the author, Parker will also focus on the restoration work being done at the historical site.

The annual meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $15 each and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available at the SWCD office, 217 E Bell Drive, Warsaw, IN 46582.  For more information, contact the office at (574) 267-7445, ext. 3.

Parker was born and raised in Noble County, spending much of her childhood outside enjoying many aspects nature has to offer. A graduate of East Noble High School, she pursued a degree in Environmental Science at Marian University in Indianapolis, graduating in 2004.

Familiar with Gene Stratton-Porter already, she began to read, research her and rediscover all the great things Stratton-Porter accomplished in her lifetime. As part of the staff at the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, she plans the programs, coordinates field trips and spends as much time outside the office working in the restoration.

Stratton-Porter was a Wabash County native, who became a self-trained American author, nature photographer, and naturalist. In 1917, Stratton-Porter used her position and influence as a popular, well-known author to urge legislative support for the conservation of Limberlost Swamp and other wetlands in the state of Indiana. She was also a silent film-era producer who founded her own production company, Gene Stratton Porter Productions, in 1924.  Eight of her novels, including “A Girl of the Limberlost” were adapted into moving pictures.