Two Wayne County preserves have new management. Muncie-based Red-tail Land Conservancy acquired the Elkhorn Creek and Boston Creek Forest preserves, a combined 54 acres of water and forest habitat. Elkhorn Creek was purchased last September and the Boston Creek Forest in May.
The properties will be cultivated to support wildlife, maintain water quality and strengthen regional conservation efforts. Both will have public access.
“Our mission is twofold — we protect land for biodiversity and wildlife, but also for people,” said Julie Borgmann, who recently retired as Red-tail’s executive director, in a news release. Borgmann said the community can connect with nature while they protect resources that benefit all.
The Elkhorn acquisition was funded through donations, while a $75,000 American Water Charitable Foundation grant secured the Boston Creek land. Additional funding will be raised to support long-term stewardship of both properties.
Established in 2000, the nonprofit protects, preserves and restores land for plant and wildlife habitat in Wayne, Delaware, Henry, Madison and Randolph counties. Its first paid staff member, Executive Director Barry Banks, retired in 2018 with Borgmann succeeding him.
This spring, Borgmann announced her retirement. Red-tail board of directors announced Nick Werner as its new executive director.
“We can’t thank Julie enough for her service,” said John Taylor, the board of directors’ president in a news release. “For eight years, she poured her heart into the difficult work of conservation, protecting our most critical natural areas and making the outdoors accessible. Because of her, East Central Indiana is a more vibrant place to live.”
For further details, visit fortheland.org.
A version of this article appeared in the July 22 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.