3/15/19 – 5:03 A.M.

The Hancock County Park District is looking to grow the Oakwoods Nature Preserve. Director Gary Pruitt says the board has voted to turn 100 acres of farmland into a conservation area. Pruitt says they could use the land to introduce wildlife habitat and possibly expand trails. With 100 acres available, the park could use the land for things like wetlands or prairie grass planting. They could also allow nature to reclaim it.

The park district bought the farmland in 2006 and 2009. They have rented the land to area farmers up until now.

MORE: How the Park District plans to approach the expansion.