Wildlife sanctuary in Hobart, Indiana

Welcome to Hidden Prairie & Ivory Wetlands, a beautifully restored natural oasis located at 4401-4499 West 41st Avenue, Hobart, Indiana. Nestled just west of I-65, this unique park offers a glimpse into the diverse ecosystems that once thrived in the region. Hidden Prairie, the northern portion of the preserve, showcases a stunning variety of landscapes, from wet prairie to swamp, marsh, and open water. After years of dedicated restoration, this area now flourishes with native grasses and rare wildflowers, providing a vital habitat for a myriad of wildlife.

Welcome to Bur Oak Woods, a hidden gem in Hobart, Indiana, located at 330 North Liverpool Road. This unique park is home to one of Indiana’s rarest natural communities: the bur oak savanna. Here, you will find majestic bur oak trees, some of which are several hundred years old, with branches that spread as wide as the trees are tall. These ancient trees stand as silent witnesses to the past, where Native Americans once paused during hunting expeditions and where long-gone animals like bears, cougars, elk, wolves, and buffalo roamed freely. European settlers once cleared their farms within sight of these magnificent trees, yet today, the bur oaks continue to thrive, serving as a poignant reminder of the landscape's rich history. The park is a sanctuary, featuring thick woods in the process of being restored to their original savanna state, along with wet depressions and open sedge meadows. It is a haven for birds and amphibians, offering a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts and wildlife watchers alike.

Welcome to the Gordon & Faith Greiner Nature Preserve, a hidden gem nestled at 200 North Liverpool Road, Hobart, Indiana. This enchanting park offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse natural communities that define northwestern Indiana's landscape. From open sandy dunes and oak savannas to fens, wet woods, swamps, and prairies, each step reveals a new and vibrant ecosystem teeming with native plants and wildlife. The preserve's southern area, once used for agriculture, is now undergoing a beautiful transformation back to its prairie roots. Meanwhile, the northern section hosts fens, a rare type of wetland sustained by year-round groundwater. Here, visitors can admire a lush plant community, including sedges, wildflowers, and even rare species like poison sumac.