Whitley County has lost a pioneering preservationist in Wendell Dygert
It is said that we plant a tree now so that future generations will enjoy its shade.
Wendell Dygert and his wife, Evelyn, must have known this – and because of the shade of hundreds of trees on their property and the blankets of wildflowers and native plants growing below, their legacy will live on in Whitley County. 
Future generations will not only enjoy that shade, they'll learn about the flora and fauna of Indiana.
Wendell Dygert passed away this week at the age of 95 and Whitley County has truly lost an advocate of land preservation – someone who not only spoke of the virtues of preserving land to enjoy – but who acted on his convictions, giving a large portion of his wooded property on County Road 50 West in Thorncreek Township to ACRES Land Trust in 2001. In 2004, adjoining property was acquired and added to the property. The property now features parking and a walking lane for visitors to enjoy nature at their own pace.
While I don’t believe I ever personally met Mr. Dygert, I recall vividly a field trip to his property long before it was really open to the public. I believe the Dygerts must have been known to allow nature enthusiasts to walk through their woods and wonder at the species of native plants and, perhaps, catch a glimpse of rare birds and wildlife.
In the sixth grade, our teacher, Clay Geiger, took us to Dygerts woods where we walked along and after studying various species of wildflowers, we were able to view them in their natural habitat – trilliums, Dutchman’s Breeches, Jack-in-the-Pulpits – we found them all in Dygert’s Woods. When I see these plants, I think at once of Thorncreek School, Clay Geiger and Dygerts Woods.
Wendell Dygert also had a brilliant mind, regularly penning interesting and informative editorials he provided to the local newspapers.
While the community mourns his passing, however, Wendell Dygert will live on in form of preserved woodlands called Dygerts Woods, casting a shade into which future generations will walk, wondering at the beauty of nature.
Jennifer Zartman Romano