Indiana Parks Alliance

The Indiana Parks Alliance (IPA) is a charitable organization that supports Indiana State Parks and
state owned Nature Preserves, the resources they steward and the people they serve.

We consider ourselves an organization of “doers” who advocate for and promote these public lands and the opportunities they provide. That’s why our partners are so important to us. IPA integrates their objectives into one agenda to create a unified network of action for the natural and cultural resources and facilities in our Indiana State Parks and Indiana Nature Preserves. Our partners include state parks, state-owned nature preserves, the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, local friends groups and YOU as a member!

Important Advocacy Updates

Summer Legislative Study Committee, Conservation Day at the Statehouse, & State Park and Nature Preserve Funding Issues

Before the 2025 Indiana State Legislature adjourned last April, they set up a special summer study committee to evaluate the economic impact of public lands for outdoor recreation in Indiana. After hearing public testimony, including from Indiana Parks Alliance, they approved a final report that included the following funding recommendations:

Increase the biennial construction and maintenance budget for state parks, as well as for other DNR divisions and for the State Museum and Historic Sites to levels similar to the inflation-adjusted 2007 spending levels (the last year of a sustainable budget.)
Establish a dedicated source of conservation funding to maintain and enhance facilities at state owned public lands for recreation.
Increase financial support for the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust for the purchase of new public land.
Research and implement a system to collect visitor fees at state fish and wildlife areas.

All of these are solutions for which IPA has been advocating for years, and which we encouraged the committee to include in their report. Click to read more…

Trails for Tomorrow

Fundraising for the Trails for Tomorrow campaign is in full swing. Hiking is rated as the #1 activity for those who visit Indiana’s state parks and its trail system, which sees about 4 million hikers a year, is showing its wear. State funding for trails has not kept up with deferred maintenance issues due to historically poor trail design, aging boardwalks, foot bridges, steps and ladders, and sometimes-confusing directional signage.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND TO DONATE!

President’s Message

Conservation Thoughts
By IPA President, Milt Grissom

As the new President for IPA, I would like to share a little of my background with you.

I was honored to work for Indiana State Parks for six and a half years at Spring Mill, Pokagon and central office. My time was very rewarding and has had a lasting impact in my second career in commercial real estate. Yes, commercial real estate folks do care about wetlands, drainage, and invasive plants!

Let me say a few words about our outgoing President Tom Hohman. He served as President for 12 years with this organization that he helped “hatch” along with Ginger Murphy, who recently retired from Indiana State Parks. Tom’s passion for the outdoors and his practical approach to solving problems served him well in his over 30-year career with IDNR’s Division of Engineering. Click to read more…