Thanks to a Driving Home Grant and additional funding partnerships, the Kankakee Sands nature preserve now has a covered pavilion in its welcome area, an amenity that enhances the experience of visitors of all ages and abilities.
Kankakee Sands is 8,400 marvelous acres of restored prairie and wetland that is home to hundreds of species of native plants, birds, butterflies, and moths, as well as dragonflies, bees, frogs, lizards, snakes, badger and North America’s largest land mammal, the bison.
Kankakee Sands has more visitors, more programming, and more volunteer engagement than any of the other sites in Indiana owned by the nonprofit organization, The Nature Conservancy. That means a lot of people love Kankakee Sands! Those people include birders, wildflower and butterfly enthusiasts, hikers, researchers, school groups from kindergarten through college, and anyone who enjoys the soothing experience of spending time in nature. The preserve is free and open to the public every day of the year.
The welcome area pavilion project is part of a larger set of improvements to make the preserve an even more appealing destination for area residents and tourists. The pavilion, which was designed and constructed for accessibility, serves as an anchor point and gathering place for visitors who are spending the day or making a brief stop.
This project addresses several objectives outlined in the Driving Home plan, making it a great fit for a Driving Home Grant from the Jasper Newton Foundation.
Life – Vibrant Community
VC3 Ensure that all local events and activities are easy to access
VC4 Increase the opportunity to engage in an active lifestyle
VC5 Develop a purposeful set of trails and greenways
VC7 Leverage tools to connect residents to local activities
VC8 Develop a program to encourage healthy lifestyle choices for all ages
VC9 Improve access to local events and activities
VC10 Improve the amount of and access to community groups and meetups
VC14 Improve external awareness of community offerings
Health – Quality Life
QL10 Give seniors and retired adults a sense of purpose and community
QL11 Improve communication about and access to healthy activities
QL12 Develop a community-wide program to encourage healthy lifestyles
Family – Kids & Families
KF6 Create a landscape of diverse educational pathways for students
KF7 Create recreation and gathering centers for community
KF11 Create a rich landscape of cultural events and experiences
Jasper Newton Foundation was proud to contribute to this project alongside many of our partners, including Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Friends of the Sands, Newton County Historical Society, Newton County Nature Partnership, Newton County Parks Board, Newton County Public Library, and Newton County Soil & Water Conservation District.
If you have yet to experience the wonder of Kankakee Sands in Newton County, plan a visit soon.
To get involved with ongoing preservation efforts, including upcoming volunteer days, visit the Friends of the Sands website: https://friends-of-the-sands.com/calendar-of-events/
To learn more about collaborative Driving Home Grant opportunities for your community organization, visit https://www.jaspernewtonfoundation.org/grant/driving-home-community-collaboration-grants/
Making It Count
2024 year of investment
$100,000 Driving Home Grant
$2.3 million total project cost
8,400 acres of prairies & wetlands
~3,000 visitors each year
327 volunteers (2023-2024)
5,378 service hours (2023-2024)
Projected Outcomes
↑ accessibility
↑ visits to Kankakee Sands
↑ school and community participation
↑ people who will take action for nature
Land leveraged for community benefit
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