Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve

The 68-acre Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve is located on Observatory Road, just a short distance off State Road 67 between Martinsville and Mooresville. The site features rather steep hillsides and ravines, beautiful old trees and several varieties of both plants and animals, including rare native species. Managed by the Central Indiana Land Trust, the land comprises large forested blocks unbroken by roads and a forest interior habitat. A small gravel parking area is available on site. The trail is not a "built" trail, but is marked by logs/limbs on either side, along with arrows and pink flagging tape to keep you on the trail. Rare species seen recently at the property include hooded and worm-eating warblers, Eastern box turtles, cerulean warblers. Plants are characteristic of the acidic, sharply-drained, poor soil of the ridges, including chestnut oak, black oak, pignut hickory, greenbriar, cleft phlox and star chickweed. American beech, red oak, white ash, painted sedge, yellow trout lilly and bloodroot are found in the more protected ravines of this beautiful property. Please note that the entrance to the parking area is a rather sharp right turn, about 1/2 mile off State Road 67. Depending on your vehicle and the road conditions, it may be preferable to access the parking area from the other direction. Please follow all posted rules to help protect this beautiful, natural place. Photos courtesy of Joni L. James Photography.