The weather may have been a bit stormy, but spirits were high at our annual Spring Benefit on Saturday, May 18th at Purdue University Northwest in Westville. More than 325 people were in attendance to enjoy a lively evening of friendship, food and refreshments. Our sincere thanks to our guests, sponsors, donors, and volunteers for their participation in the evening’s auctions, and for their generous support of the conservation work of Shirley Heinze Land Trust!
To open the program, Board Secretary Larry Stanton welcomed guests and spoke of the organization’s mission to preserve, protect and restore natural land in northwestern Indiana, and to inspire all to experience these wonderful places. On behalf of the board, he acknowledged and thanked Executive Director Kris Krouse for his leadership and steadfast focus on this mission. Stanton also thanked the many partners and individuals who make this work possible, including the evening’s Benefactor Sponsor, Northern Indiana Public Service Company, and the Karner Blue sponsor, ArcelorMittal, along with all corporate and individual sponsors.
Speaking on behalf of NIPSCO was Jennifer Montague, Vice-President of Communications and External Affairs. In her remarks, Montague noted that the organization is proud of its role as a long-time contributor and partner of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, and mentioned several successful projects and accomplishments that have resulted, including the protection of Lydick Bog, and Meadowbrook, among others. Montague also noted NIPSCO’s plans to retire 100% of its coal-fired electric generation by 2028, which drew applause from the audience.
Kris Krouse introduced the distinguished speaker for the evening, Andrew Bowman, President and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA). Bowman presented an overview of the work of the LTA, a national nonprofit conservation organization that serves as the voice of the land trust community through its advocacy, capacity building, convening, and leadership. He congratulated Shirley Heinze Land Trust on its recent receipt of the LTA’s National Excellence Award, and noted that the organization is proud of our efforts to increase public awareness of the value of protecting land here in northwestern Indiana. Bowman then introduced a 3-minute video about Shirley Heinze Land Trust, which was produced by the LTA as part of the award. Click here to watch the video.
Krouse concluded the program by congratulating the auction winners and thanking everyone for their support. He also shared the news that Shirley Heinze Land Trust has achieved last year’s goal of creating a $1M quasi-endowment fund. He noted that the endowment project was largely made possible by a bequest from a member of our Legacy Circle, and encouraged members of the audience to consider joining this group of visionary donors. Finally, Krouse acknowledged the recent passing of Charlotte Read, who was Shirley Heinze’s first executive director from 1984-1987.
Speaking on behalf of NIPSCO was Jennifer Montague, Vice-President of Communications and External Affairs. In her remarks, Montague noted that the organization is proud of its role as a long-time contributor and partner of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, and mentioned several successful projects and accomplishments that have resulted, including the protection of Lydick Bog, and Meadowbrook, among others. Montague also noted NIPSCO’s plans to retire 100% of its coal-fired electric generation by 2028, which drew applause from the audience.
Kris Krouse introduced the distinguished speaker for the evening, Andrew Bowman, President and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA). Bowman presented an overview of the work of the LTA, a national nonprofit conservation organization that serves as the voice of the land trust community through its advocacy, capacity building, convening, and leadership. He congratulated Shirley Heinze Land Trust on its recent receipt of the LTA’s National Excellence Award, and noted that the organization is proud of our efforts to increase public awareness of the value of protecting land here in northwestern Indiana. Bowman then introduced a 3-minute video about Shirley Heinze Land Trust, which was produced by the LTA as part of the award. Click here to watch the video.
Krouse concluded the program by congratulating the auction winners and thanking everyone for their support. He also shared the news that Shirley Heinze Land Trust has achieved last year’s goal of creating a $1M quasi-endowment fund. He noted that the endowment project was largely made possible by a bequest from a member of our Legacy Circle, and encouraged members of the audience to consider joining this group of visionary donors. Finally, Krouse acknowledged the recent passing of Charlotte Read, who was Shirley Heinze’s first executive director from 1984-1987.
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