News

Stewards of the Land Exhibit On View Through August 15

 

NICHES Land Trust and the West Lafayette Public Library are pleased to announce a new exhibit will be on view at the Caretaker’s Cottage West Lafayette History Center beginning March 21, 2025. The exhibit, entitled Stewards of the Land, was created in honor of NICHES’ 30th Anniversary, commemorating the work of the local conservationists who helped found the organization.

 

Greater Lafayette has a rich history of environmental activism that has occurred in response to conservation threats. The items on display highlight historical environmental issues, the founding of NICHES, and the numerous partner organizations that have joined its mission to maintain the beauty and quality of the environment in Tippecanoe County.

These ecological defense stories represent the core values of NICHES Land Trust, which was founded in 1995 by community members who aimed to protect, conserve, and restore local land. What began as an all-volunteer initiative has grown into a nonprofit organization that stewards nearly 5,000 acres of land. The exhibit aims to honor the Greater Lafayette community’s history for their efforts and successful collaboration.

Devon Roddel, the Local History Librarian at West Lafayette Public Library and curator of the Caretaker’s Cottage, explains: 

“The library wanted to find a way to explore the various environmental history topics locally, and telling those stories through the frame of NICHES’ story is perfect. Stewards of the Land represents the dedication many of our patrons and fellow community members have shown to protect the natural environment.”

NICHES and the West Lafayette Library encourage community members to see the exhibit because of its inspiring message about the power of individuals working together. The exhibition opens on March 21 at the Caretaker’s Cottage in West Lafayette (1496 N Salisbury St) and will be on view through August 15.

A public reception to celebrate the exhibit will be held Sunday, June 1, from 2 – 4 pm in conjunction with the start of Great Outdoors Month and to kickstart NICHES’ 30th Birthday Celebration. The reception will feature a brief talk about the exhibit and light refreshments.

For more information, please contact NICHES' Development Director Ann Fields Monical at ann@nicheslandtrust.org or call (765) 423-1605.