The Garden Club of Indiana, Inc. announced its commitment to help finance the development of a black oak savanna at Tippecanoe River State Park in Winamac, Pulaski County.
This project of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will remove invasives and over-forested areas and then plant black oak trees and an assortment of both prairie natives and woodland natives.
A black oak savanna is a unique and endangered ecosystem where eastern hardwood forests meet western tall grass prairies. These savannas once covered roughly 50 million acres in the Midwest United States but now cover only approximately 30,000 acres. Specifically, oak savannas are sparsely treed grasslands where fire-resistant oaks stand among prairie plants. This ecosystem supports many threatened and endangered species.
There will be four areas established in Tippecanoe State Park, one being visible for visitors from the Loop Drive as well as one of the hiking trails. TGCI support will help finance the planting of black oak trees and native plant plugs to develop the savanna.
“We are thrilled to support this unique project at Tippecanoe River State Park,” said TGCI president Wanda Zahrt. “Our focus for 2025-2027 is all about encouraging people to replant native species in Indiana.”
Periodically, TGCI selects a project to sponsor and collects contributions from local garden clubs and individuals to help finance each project. Its 2023-2025 Land Trust Project “LEAF a Legacy – Plant Trees”; resulted in the planting of 20,000 trees in the thirty-two acres adjacent to the Big Walnut Nature Reserve in Putnam County. Its efforts to support tree planting were recognized by the National Garden Clubs with a 2025 Award of Excellence for collaborative initiatives of state garden clubs.
“We will be encouraging local garden clubs and individuals to give generously to this Land Trust Project.” said Zahrt. “Anyone interested is contributing, are for more information may contact me at gardenclub.zahrt@gmail.com.
The Garden Club of Indiana, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization formed in 1930, and a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. With 47 clubs across the state, TGCI’s mission is to promote interest and education in horticulture, landscaping, floral design and environmental concerns. For more information, visit their website at GardenClubofIndiana.org.
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