Moraine Nature Preserve

The Valparaiso Moraine is a phenomenon of sand, soil and gravel deposits which run from southern Wisconsin through northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana into west-central Michigan. The tract contains a combination of rolling hills, steep ridges, deep-wooded gorges, muck pockets, potholes and a natural kettle pond. Several Hoosier families in the area donated land and money for permanent protection of this peaceful preserve and surrounding areas. Old-growth remnants of oak-hickory forest, mesic beech-maple forest, and old farm fields reverting back to its natural wilderness are some of the ecosystems found in the Moraine Nature Preserve. As one of the few, large unfragmented blocks of forest left in northwest Indiana it is extremely valuable to nesting forest interior birds as well as migrating species. The forest floor is rich with wildflowers, particularly in the spring. Ponds and wetlands are used by many species of both rare and common wildlife. It isn't surprising to see local educators, students and researchers studying the vegetation and wildlife found here.