Horizon Bank is pleased to announce the recent grant awarded to Shirley Heinze Land Trust in Valparaiso, Indiana. A check in the amount of $5,000 was presented by Rachel Saxon, Horizon Bank’s Vice President, Internal Audit Manager to Kristopher Krouse, Executive Director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust.

The funds will be used to improve public access amenities at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve.  Meadowbrook is located in Valparaiso, and features two hundred twenty-four acres of woods, wetlands, streams, prairie pockets and agricultural land. Meadowbrook houses the organization’s headquarters, and offers over four miles of public trails. This expanse is one of the last remaining pieces of undeveloped land between Chesterton and Valparaiso, and will serve as a regional conservation destination. “Horizon Bank is happy to support Shirley Heinze Land Trust, and their mission to engage the community in preserving this beautiful area,” said Saxon.

The Trust developed a collaborative vision for Meadowbrook focused on enriching the quality of life for all residents of northwestern Indiana. Enhancements will optimize accessibility, which includes not only ADA accessibility, but also such priorities as making all visitors feel welcome and secure, improving access, teaching the full history of the spaces, and making them more representative and culturally relevant.