Forest Legacy Feature Tract:
Little Richland Creek, Indiana
November 6, 2001

Lloyd Keisler and his family are leaving a forest legacy to their fellow Hoosiers. The 298-acre property known as Little Richland Creek will remain forested forever as part of the Forest Legacy Program with a conservation easement on the land.

On November 6, 2001, the Little Richland Creek Forest Legacy property became the first in Indiana funded by the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. The purchase price of the conservation easement was valued at $110,000, of which the Forest Legacy Program provided $83,500. The Keisler family through a bargain donated the remaining amount.

“The Division of Forestry is proud to help Mr. Keisler fulfill a long-time dream of permanently protecting this forest.”

Dan Ernst, Assistant State Forester

The easement on the property will be owned by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, who will also be responsible for the monitoring the easement. The Little Richland Creek forest consists of high-quality hardwoods, planted white pine, and a variety of karst features. The family has actively managed the tract for over 35 years, most recently under a cooperative agreement with Pike Lumber Company, who first suggested the land for inclusion in the Forest Legacy Program.

The land, located 5 miles from Bloomington and 3 miles from Bloomington Municipal Airport, is under increasing development pressure from the surrounding community and has been enrolled in the Indiana Classified Forest Program for several years. Under the Legacy agreement, the Keislers will continue active management activities on the property, including managing for the protected resource, wildlife habitat, soil conservation, air and water quality, timber, and aesthetic values.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources representatives presented the Keisler family with a signed easement, payment, and a Forest Legacy sign for the property at a ceremony at the Meadowwood Retirement Community clubhouse in Bloomington.

“The Division of Forestry is proud to help Mr. Keisler fulfill a long-time dream of permanently protecting this forest,” said Dan Ernst, Assistant State Forester and Indiana Forest Legacy Program coordinator. “ The Division of Forestry is proud to help Mr. Keisler fulfill a long-time dream of permanently protecting this forest.”

The Indiana Forest Legacy Program protects important forests from conversion to nonforest uses. These forests provide valuable forest products and essential wildlife habitat, protect water quality and karst resources, offer outstanding recreation opportunities, and provide the opportunity to continue traditional forest uses. A Federal-State partnership allows landowners to keep their land private while ensuring it remains forest forever through the use of conservation easements.