Indiana Land Protection Alliance plans statewide programs following major conservation grant
Indianapolis, Indiana – A significant investment aimed at strengthening conservation efforts across Indiana is set to expand the work of the Indiana Land Protection Alliance after the organization secured a $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
The funding marks the largest single contribution in the nonprofit’s history and is expected to accelerate initiatives designed to support land conservation and enhance communities throughout the state.
The Indiana Land Protection Alliance, a coalition focused on strengthening the state’s conservation network, plans to channel the funding into key priorities outlined in its five-year strategic plan.
Over the next three years, the organization will direct the grant toward projects that promise lasting impact for land trusts operating across Indiana, while continuing to seek additional financial support to help achieve the full scope of its long-term goals.
Andrea Huntington, ILPA’s executive director, described the investment as a turning point for the organization.
“This grant will be transformative to ILPA’s operations,” said Huntington,“ in a February release.
As the largest donation in our organization’s history, this investment sets a strong foundation that allows us to carry out essential conservation work with far-reaching benefits, like improving community health and wellbeing and enhancing workforce recruitment and retention. We are extremely grateful to Lilly Endowment and our entire donor base – past, present and future – for contributing to the pursuit of the ambitious goals we’ve set for the next five years.”
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Initial efforts funded through the grant will focus on strengthening ILPA internally. Plans include increasing staff capacity and improving management and reporting systems, steps intended to position the organization for sustainable growth.
Those improvements will support the development of a Conservation Excellence Program, a new self-assessment tool designed to help land trusts evaluate their work and identify opportunities for growth. ILPA will also commission a statewide economic impact study to better understand and communicate the value of land conservation efforts.
After development, the Conservation Excellence Program will be piloted with selected land trusts before eventually launching statewide. Along the way, ILPA plans to conduct an audience analysis to better understand how conservation organizations can connect with communities.
Findings from that research, along with results from the economic study, will help shape a communications toolkit offering consistent, data-driven messaging for outreach.
State officials say the investment reflects the importance of collaboration in protecting natural resources. Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Alan Morrison described conservation as a shared mission, noting that ILPA and local land trusts play a critical role in preserving the state’s landscapes and treasured outdoor spaces.
Founded in 2004, the Indiana Land Protection Alliance brings together land trusts, government agencies, and partner organizations dedicated to safeguarding Indiana’s natural and working lands. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, the group works to ensure that communities across the state can continue to benefit from healthy ecosystems and protected landscapes for generations to come.
