Outdoors: Weiler-Leopold Nature Preserve

Prairie Click to Enlarge Woods Click to Enlarge Deer Click to Enlarge Introduction Weiler-Leopold Nature Preserve is immediately to the west of Black Rock Barrens; the two preserves share the same parking lot. Trails The Ron Bogard Trail is a loop with ten numbered stations; be sure to pick up a brochure. You’ll begin by passing through a large restored prairie (below), planted to native grasses in 2000 and various other native plants since. After a couple of hundred yards, the path enters oak savanna habitat – broken tree cover, with grasses and other vegetation below. These are white oaks, but not the tall skinny sort found in forests; these individuals had the space and sunlight to grow laterally, and took advantage. Following a short transit through a seasonally wet meadow, the trail turns back to the north, crosses the prairie again, and returns to the parking area. Facilities None. Directions View Larger Map Warren County. From the hamlet of Independence, go northeast 3.4 miles on Independence Road to a parking area on the right (south). North 40 21.554 West 87 06.964 DeLorme 31:G8 Nearby Natural Areas Black Rock Barrens Fall Creek Gorge Granville Sand Barrens References Habeck: Wild Indiana; Page 70 Indiana Department of Natural Resources Nature Conservancy: Guide to Indiana Preserves; Page 26 NICHES Land Trust