RICHMOND, Ind. – Tucked away behind Earlham College lies a hidden treasure: the Earlham Nature Reserve System. Spanning over 400 acres across Wayne County, these properties offer a blend of natural beauty, recreational trails, and hands-on research opportunities for students and the public alike.

The reserve isn’t a single location, but a collection of six distinct properties across Wayne County and each one offers something different. Many of these properties have been accessible to Earlham since the 60's and 70's. Each selection of property was gifted to the college by friends of the college or former professors. It was first used for biology classes and faculty research. Just in recent years, it has grown into a broader community resource with educational signage and walking opportunities.

The system is managed by Jalen Sleet, an Earlham alum and full-time property manager, along with support from faculty, students, and volunteers.

"They're really something that I think the college cherishes and it's a really huge part of student identity," Sleet said. "Is having the sense of place that the properties provide. I think having them be public is a really important part of that rather than having some little secret place that no one interacts with."

Four out of the six properties are open to the public. Two of them are limited access, used as a resource of field studies. 

Publicly Accessible Areas

Back Campus

Earlham’s Back Campus is directly accessible from the main campus. The Back Campus is a blend of ponds, forests, and restored prairies. It’s a frequently visited part of the reserve, used for both academic research and public recreation. Whether you’re collecting data for a class or just taking a walk, this area offers a close connection to nature just steps from campus buildings.

Sedgwicks Rock Preserve

The Sedgwicks Rock Preserve was a gift to the college from biology faculty Carrolle and Millard Markle. This 13-acre woodland preserve features a mix of mature trees and trails ideal for hiking and fieldwork. Frequently used for experimental projects, Sedgwicks Rock is open to the public and offers an escape into the woods.

Wildman and Iverson Woods

These are adjacent properties utilized for hiking and research. Wildman Woods was a gift from Bill and Ruth Wildman. This is a 40-acre property containing a mix of old and regrowing forests in both highland and lowland areas. The woods have several trails that connect to Iverson Woods. Iverson Woods was gifted by John Iverson, a professor of biology. This woodland ecosystem features a dense forest of trees and a picturesque stream valley. "There's a study that's been going on for over 30 years at Wildman woods, where there's three or four acres they've been surveying and measuring the diameter of trees and inventorying the tree species," Sleet said.

Areas that Require Permission

Reller Woods

Located southeast of Richmond, Reller Woods is a 40-acre preserve featuring streams, ponds, and deep forest. This property is reserved for approved research activities and authorized hiking groups, helping to protect ecosystems while supporting scientific exploration.

Test Biological Study Area and Dennis Woods

Donated by Fred Test, this 17-acre property includes wetlands, streams, and agricultural plots. Converted into a research site by Earlham professors, it’s primarily used for long-term ecological studies and is not open to the general public without prior approval.

The ENRS continues to expand its impact through new signage projects, habitat restoration, and plans to restore farmland into wetlands and prairies. Community like owl walks and bird hikes are open to the public, and volunteer opportunities are available year-round.

For maps, information or updates, visit the Earlham ENRS website.