Outdoors: Bender Nature Preserve

Trail Click to Enlarge Trail Map Click to Enlarge Introduction The official name of this ACRES preserve in Noble County is the Lloyd W. Bender Memorial Forest Nature Preserve. The property comprises more than 100 acres. The preserve contains a variety of natural communities, including upland forest, old fields, and a lowland forest that ACRES describes as old-growth. Trails The trail crosses a short boardwalk before joining the main loop. Wildlife is plentiful - watch for chipmunks, woodchuck, and the occasional garter snake. Spring wildflowers are also nice, with plenty of trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, and false Solomon's seal. There's a short side loop. The trail passes near "The Spreads", a meandering stretch of the south fork of the Elkhart River. The bottomland here feature old trees and lots of ferns. Facilities None. Directions View Larger Map From the intersection of IN 8 and IN 9 in Albion, go south one half mile on IN 9 to River Road, then west 2.1 miles to a parking lot entrance on the right. GPS Coordinates: N 41 22.823 W 85 27.383 Nearby Natural Areas Chain O'Lakes State Park Crooked Lake Nature Preserve Merry Lea Spurgeon Nature Preserve References ACRES Land Trust Habeck: Wild Indiana; Page 39 Indiana Department of Natural Resources