Bequest Allows ACRES to Grow

James & Patricia Barrett

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A $500,000 bequest from the Patricia Barrett estate has allowed ACRES Land Trust to expand its land management work. The member-based nonprofit has added a second full-time specialist to handle more than 7,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and other habitats in Indiana and Ohio. 

Matt Dunno joins ACRES to work alongside Evan Hill to fight non-invasive plants in the land trust’s 70 miles of trails on 116 properties. The pair also will make necessary repairs to boardwalks and bridges, remove fallen debris from trails, along with tasks like project funding.  “That’s what I love about the job. There is no typical day. Tomorrow will probably be completely different,” said Dunno.

Patricia Barrett’s husband, and ACRES co-founder James W. Barrett III, established the land management endowment, used in conjunction with member support and restoration programs, to add Dunno to the organization. “Jim and Pat Barrett understood well the importance of caring for the natural areas that ACRES protects,” said Steve Hammer, board chair of the land trust.

The addition of Dunno brings the nonprofit to seven full time staff members. More information on ACRES can be found here.