Upon first entering the preserve you sense that you are in a special place. There is an air of distinctness that is at first perhaps only subconsciously registered -- distinct light through the trees, distinct smells of the conifers and oaks, distinct sounds of the wind moving through the canyon and leaves. A massive wall of sandstone looms up before you, and unusual plants of strange form flourish in the damp cool beneath a natural bridge carved into the rock.... -- From the Portland Arch entry, written by Thomas O. SwinfordFrom the majestic dunes of northwest Indiana to the lush cypress sloughs at the convergence of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers -- and all places in between -- Indiana boasts a remarkable variety of natural areas. The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves is an invaluable resource as you journey to these wonderful parts of the state. Big Walnut, Cedar Bluffs, the Kankakee Sands Project, Pennywort Cliffs, to name just a few -- these are the places that The Nature Conservancy has been working to protect since 1959.The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves is an essential resource for those who want to get off the beaten path and visit natural Indiana at its best -- but this is more than a field guide. The natural beauty of each preserve is captured with stunning detail in the images of noted photographers Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan. Directions to each site are also included, so you can start your journey now.