Marvel At Indiana's Most Beautiful Protected Species At The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
By Tori Jane|Published May 19, 2022
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Some places are simply too wonderful for words. Nature lovers in Indiana will delight in this one for sure: we found a beautiful nature preserve alongside Coffee Creek, a crystal-clear safe haven for more species than you could ever imagine, in Chesterton. It’s called – logically – the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, and it’s 157 acres of intensely fascinating ecosystems. Explore wetlands, prairie, and woodlands, and observe many different kinds of critters that vary depending on the time of year. This is one of those things to do in Indiana that you’re sure to love – come check out this little slice of heaven right here in our neighborhood:
Proximity to Lake Michigan means proximity to an absurd number of migratory bird species coming through annually, and that's not even all the watershed preserve has to offer.
During spring and fall, be sure to come watch them as they pass through; it's a breathtaking experience that you'll never forget.
Other than the birds, there are more than 400 native plant species that can be found here, as well as countless other species of animals like deer, birds of prey, salmon, and more.
There are more than five miles of beautiful hiking trails weaving through the entire preserve. Enjoy this little piece of paradise on foot and spend the entire day on the trails if you'd like - we wouldn't blame you!
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Enjoy numerous guided adventures, or explore on your own - just don't stray from the trails!
If you're an animal person, you're going to absolutely love this place and wonder why you hadn't visited sooner. If you're a nature person, you're in the perfect place. If you're both, well, aren't you in luck!
Some additional points of interest include an osprey nesting platform, which is best explored during the spring, when ospreys, a bird of prey, are present for breeding season.
Other must-see parts of the preserve are Weir Bridge, a fascinating wetland cell that works to clean and recycle wastewater, a pond, a boardwalk trail, and lots of other fun stuff. This is the perfect destination for a day trip - there's certainly enough to do!
Should you find yourself in love with the preserve, you might want to consider hosting your next event here!
What better way to support your local wildlife preserve in Indiana than by renting part of it out for your big wedding anniversary party? Or maybe a birthday bash... the possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
For more information about Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, be sure to check out the website. Do you have a favorite nature preserve in Indiana? Tell us about it in the comments!
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