Conservation Leadership School

Merry Lea hosts high school students for a week focused on exploring what it means to conserve natural resources in northern Indiana. The week includes workshops, activities, and student-developed projects for developing communication and leadership skills. Participants explore our 1200-acre nature preserve through hiking, canoeing, camping, swimming, dipping for macroinvertebrates, and more.

When: June 2 – 6, 2025

Who: Upcoming Juniors & Seniors in the 2025 – 2026 school year.

Cost: $80/student

*Registration opens on March 4, 2025.

Live at Merry Lea:

Camp & hike in our 1,189-acre preserve
Canoe & swim in glacial lakes

Hands-On Experience:

Plan & run a community nature event
Gain field & research experiences in botany, land management & sustainable agriculture

Skill-Building Opportunities:

Learn from peers & professionals inspired by the natural world
Build leadership & communication skills