Upon first entering the preserve you sense that you are in a special place. There is an air of distinctness that is at first perhaps only subconsciously registered—distinct light through the trees, distinct smells of the conifers and oaks, distinct sounds of the wind moving through the canyon and leaves. A massive wall of sandstone looms up before you, and unusual plants of strange form flourish in the damp cool beneath a natural bridge carved into the rock.... —From the Portland Arch entry, written by Thomas O. Swinford From the majestic dunes of northwest Indiana to the lush cypress sloughs at the convergence of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers—and all places in between—Indiana boasts a remarkable variety of natural areas. The Nature Conservancy’s Guide to Indiana Preserves is an invaluable resource as you journey to these wonderful parts of the state. Big Walnut, Cedar Bluffs, the Kankakee Sands Project, Pennywort Cliffs, to name just a few—these are the places that The Nature Conservancy has been working to protect since 1959. The Nature Conservancy’s Guide to Indiana Preserves is an essential resource for those who want to get off the beaten path and visit natural Indiana at its best—but this is more than a field guide. The natural beauty of each preserve is captured with stunning detail in the images of noted photographers Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan. Directions to each site are also included, so you can start your journey now. "There still are the standardized photos of green foliage, brown woodlands, colorful leaves and placid streams, but the surprise images and imaginative use of nature's assets keep the pages turning." -- David Mannweiler, The Indianapolis Star , November 12, 2006. "The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves" is an invaluable resource to natural areas in the state." --Times (Illinois Edition) A 2007 Best Books of Indiana Finalist From the majestic dunes of northwest Indiana to the lush cypress sloughs at the convergence of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers--and all places in between--Indiana boasts a remarkable variety of natural areas. The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves is an invaluable resource as you journey to these wonderful parts of the state. Big Walnut, Cedar Bluffs, the Kankakee Sands Project, Pennywort Cliffs, to name just a few--these are the places that The Nature Conservancy has been working to protect since 1959. The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves is an essential resource for those who want to get off the beaten path and visit natural Indiana at its best--but this is more than a field guide. The natural beauty of each preserve is captured with stunning detail in the images of noted photographers Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan. Directions to each site are also included, so you can start your journey now. The Nature Conservancy is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of biological diversity. In Indiana the Conservancy has protected over 58,000 acres of irreplaceable forest, wetland and prairie habitats. Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan have been photographing the natural world for many years. Their award-winning images are displayed in numerous private and public collections. They are the authors of Unexpected Indiana (IUP, 2004). The Nature Conservancy is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to theconservation of biological diversity. In Indiana the Conservancy has protected over 58,000 acres ofirreplaceable forest, wetland and prairie habitats. Ron Leonetti and ChristopherJordan have been photographing the natural world for many years. Their award-winning images aredisplayed in numerous private and public collections. They are the authors of Unexpected Indiana(IUP, 2004).