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DUTRO-ERNST WOODS
Muncie, IN
Dutro-Ernst Woods transforms an abandoned urban landscape into a substantial nature preserve, providing the Muncie community with accessible trails, restored habitat, and educational opportunities that foster ecological awareness and connection to the natural environment.
2016-2018
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Flatland Resources developed the site master plan and guided restoration efforts, including soil rehabilitation, habitat enhancement, and trail design, to transform the disturbed property into a resilient, accessible nature preserve.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Dutro-Ernst Woods, located just off State Road 32 on the west side of Muncie, was originally the home of Ernst Nursery. This area was donated in 2014 to Red-tail Land Conservancy under the donor’s vision for a new urban nature preserve to honor Ruth Dutro. Ruth was a pillar of the local community as a Burris Laboratory biology teacher for 30 years who taught an appreciation for natural areas to all of her students.
When the property was donated, it was an urban disturbed landscape, with deficient soil, fragmented habitat, and overrun with invasive species. Red-tail engaged Flatland Resources to translate the donor’s vision into a viable site master plan that would respect donor intentions and meet both community and ecological needs. In line with Red-tail’s mission to protect natural spaces and educate the public, Flatland’s solution emphasized habitat enhancement, connectivity, and passive recreation.
Before breaking ground on park amenities, the foundation of the site, the soil, needed to be amended. The process of soil amendments, invasive removal, and invasive management took two years to create a space suitable for the site’s xx acre prairie. During this time, plans moved forward to implement a one mile loop of hiking trails, a parking area, educational signage, thousands of native plants, and multiple nature-play areas throughout the 33 acre site.
Restoration efforts emphasized diverse, habitat-oriented plantings that would support native wildlife and build a beautiful and resilient ecosystem. The completed urban park provides historically underserved areas of Muncie with a timeless natural area that supports environmental education and demonstrates how ecological restoration can provide both community benefits and increased awareness of conservation in the urban landscape.
Early in the master planning process, Flatland suggested that the Dutro Ernst property would translate into the highest street drive-by exposure to people not typically exposed to the Red-tail Land Conservancy. Many new inquiries and donations have come to Red-tail as a result of site signage along State Road 32.
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PROJECT PERSONNEL
PHIL
project lead
+project manager
+project designer
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