Purpose of IHT
The Indiana Heritage Trust was established in 1992 to ensure that Indiana's rich natural heritage would be preserved and enhanced for present and succeeding generations.
The purpose of the Indiana Heritage Trust Program (IHT) is to acquire state interests in real property that are examples of outstanding natural resources and habitats or have historical or archaeological significance or provide areas for conservation, recreation, protection or restoration of native biological diversity within the state of Indiana. The use of the power of eminent to carry out its purposes is expressly prohibited. Property will be acquired only from willing sellers.
Why was the Trust created?
Indiana has lost thousands of acres of its original plant and animal habitat. In 1800, about 87% of our state was covered with hardwood forests.
Today, less than 20% of Indiana is forested. More than 86% of our original wetlands have been lost. In some regions of the state, over 90% are gone. Indiana's lakes, streams, and rivers have been impacted by ditching, shoreline construction, and pollution.
Many natural plant communities have nearly disappeared. More than 400 plant species are listed as either rare, threatened, or endangered. Some 31 species of animals are extinct in Indiana and 172 are rare, threatened or endangered.
At least 85% of the archaeological sites known in the state have been destroyed or damaged by agricultural activities, mining, construction or vandalism. Many important historic sites are equally threatened. Today, only four percent (4%) of the entire state is in public ownership, meaning that the amount of recreation land available to each person is only a fraction of an acre.
