Fountain County

Laura Hare Preserve at Echo Valley

A 68-acre property along the Wabash River with 2/3 of a mile of river frontage, remnant bur oak woodlands, restored prairie, and tree plantings. Most of the property is retired agricultural ground which has been enrolled in programs with the USDA, including 35.42 acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and 31 acres enrolled in Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). The CRP acres have been planted with a variety of quality oak species including bur, swamp white, and Chinquapin. The trees are doing particularly well in the southern half of the planting. The WRP acres include a 50/50 mix of remnant oak/hickory woodland and retired acres planted to prairie vegetation with a significant remnant species presence, including a large population of the native annual purple false foxglove (Agalinis purpurea), loaded with buzzing bumblebees. The remnant oak/hickory woodland includes several large bur oaks and a good mix of different oak and hickory species as well as a population of native blackhaw viburnum shrubs and a healthy herbaceous layer including several graminoid species (Carex squarrosa, Carex muskingumensis, Cinna arundinacea, Diarrhena spp. and more) and a strong population of Ruellia strepens.

The property is located across the Wabash River from NICHES’ Weiler-Leopold Nature Preserve and is 7 miles east of NICHES’ new stewardship facility. Locals named the area “Echo Valley” because of the strong echo effect of the topography. Visit soon to hear the echo yourself and listen to nature’s many lessons.

Activities

Bird Watching
Fishing
Trails
Wildflowers

History of Acquisition and Property

The protection of the Laura Hare Preserve at Echo Valley is another excellent example of collaborative partnerships fostering conservation efforts, as well as our community’s commitment to protecting beloved natural areas. NICHES acquired this preserve in February 2026 after concerned locals informed NICHES staff about the property’s real estate listing. With their goodwill and abundant support from partners, NICHES was able to protect the land for future generations. NICHES received grants from the Laura Hare Charitable Trust, the Roy Whistler Foundation, the Ropchan Foundation, and the Attica Community Foundation for this acquisition. Numerous individuals supported this project, including major gifts from Joan and Philip Low, Ann and Tom Phillips, and another anonymous family. NICHES is forever grateful to our foundation partners, major donors, and individual supporters for their generosity to protect local land.

How to Get There

From Attica: Head North on Perry street, follow the road as it turns into E 1400 N for 5.6 miles (pass through Riverside), turn left on E Flint Road and follow the road for about 1 mile. Property is on the left (north) side of the road. Be respectful of neighbor’s homes. Access lane for parking and parking lot in progress as of April 2026.