The Nature Conservancy - JWN - Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve

Directions to Ritchey Woods

From Indianapolis, travel north on I-69 to 96th Street. Turn left (west) on 96th to Hague Road and turn right (north). Continue approximately 1.5 miles to the preserve on the left side of the road.

When Visiting...

...please follow the rules:

Stay on the trail.
Keep dogs on leash at all times.
Do not disturb or feed wildlife.
Leave flowers for others to enjoy.
Smoking is not permitted!
Please do not litter.

Ritchey Woods may be a small preserve in Fishers, Indiana, but its a big deal to those who need a natural retreat in this rapidly developing town.

Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve

According to Indiana University's Indiana Business Research Center, Fishers has increased in population by 69% between 2000 -2007. With the influx of people came urbanization; residential areas, businesses and even a small airport has made this small town quite a metropolis. Luckily for those who need a bit of wilderness in their lives, Fisher's also boasts 127 acres of natural land called Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve.

A pasture until the 1930's, Ritchey Woods has been slowly evolving back to its natural environment. Today sugar maple and red oak dominate the upland landscape while green ash, American elm and Ohio buckeye surround the meandering Cheeney Creek. Skunk cabbage can be found on the preserve's seep - a wetland where groundwater flows slowly to the surface and often forms a pool. Circling the boundaries of the preserve are a variety of other wetland complexes, forested and riparian areas and a restored prairie native to the site.

Much of the land that has needed help in restoring itself back to it's nature state has been aided by the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at Indiana-Purdue University Indianapolis. IUPUI professors, researchers and sturdents have worked on restoring and protecting Ritchey Woods since 1999. Their projects include the planting of native prairie plants; removing/plugging drainage to create a wetland/sedge marsh/wet prairie mosiac; and planting native trees to create a natural buffer between the preserve and surrounding properties.

The Town of Fishers has also done some great work in making Ritchey Woods a place where people want to go and enjoy nature. Five separate trails (totaling 2 miles), a shelter for get-togethers, educational programs and mini summer camps are available to the public. Certainly the mission of Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve - "to heighten awareness for the natural environment, maintain habitat diversity, and instill a sense of stewardship for all living things" - has been accomplished every time its visited.

Ritchey Woods - Ron Leonetti

The Man Who Made it Happened: Dr. James O. Ritchey

Ritchey Woods wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Dr. James O. Ritchey. Though he left the family farm to study medicine, Ritchey's love of rural Indiana remained with him throughout his life. As a man deeply committed to conservation, the doctor wanted to ensure that his farmland in Hamilton County would be protected. He engaged The Nature Conservancy in discussions in which expressed his desire to save the wooded area as a nature preserve. After his death, The Conservancy acquired his property and soon selected The Children's Museum of Indianapolis as its caretaker. In 1982 Ritchey's wish came true and 42 acres of his forested property was dedicated as a State Nature Preserve.

In the summer of 2004, the Town of Fishers became the new owners of the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve. With this came a responsibility to protect not only the forest but the surrounding 85 acres that buffers the land from encroaching land development. The addition was protected under a conservation easement, or permanent restrictions that will protect specific natural resources. Because of this easement, the only development that can occur on the property is the construction and maintenance of a nature center, trails and restrooms. Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve will forever be protected and enjoyed by future generations to come - just as Dr. Ritchey wanted.