Lilly Nature Center
Lilly Nature Center in Celery Bog Nature Area is located along the Lindberg Road in West Lafayette. The Celery Bog nature area contains approximately 195 acres of wetlands, adjacent woods and fields. It provides an excellent field trip destination where many interdisciplinary topics can be studied by groups of all ages.
For Rental Information contact Morton Center at (765)775-5120.
During open hours, you may also reach the Nature Center information desk at (765)775-5172.
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday - Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 5:00pm
(Closed Monday & Tuesday)
The Nature Area
In 1993, West Lafayette began to implement a plan to conserve and promote the Celery Bog by developing a public nature area and a nature center. Eli Lilly Tippecanoe Laboratories and the Lilly Foundation began making contributions for the development of the planned nature center in the same year. This allowed the acquisition of two parcels of land (36-acres) and the opening of the Celery Bog Nature Area in the fall of 1995.
The Celery Bog is now listed as one of the state’s “significant ecological sites” by the Indiana Natural Heritage Program. Over the past 10 years, the nature area has grown to contain nearly 100 acres of wetlands and adjoining woods and fields. Federal and state grants, primarily administered through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, have been the driving force behind continuing land acquisition efforts. The nature area, along with the adjacent Kampen Golf Course, protects most of the 195-acre bog from encroaching development in a major growth corridor between the West Lafayette and Wabash Township. The current goal is to obtain at least 200 acres of land encompassing the bog for management as a regional conservation and recreation resource.
Cattail Trail is a joint project between the City of West Lafayette and the Indiana Department of Transportation to provide convenient pedestrian and bicyclist access to the nature center and surrounding area. Currently 12 miles of trails have been completed, with one mile of the trail containing interprative signs. The network of trails connects the nature center to Northwestern Avenue, Cherry Lane, Lindberg Road and McCormick Road. Click here to see a map of the trails.
The Nature Center
Construction of the nature center was completed in 1999 and a new conference room added in 2001. These rooms provide the space needed for classes, projects, programs, institutes and other events to be held in the nature center, without disrupting normal public use. There is a meeting space for 75 people in theatre, 48 in classroom, and 38 in meeting style seating. The nature center also has state-of-the-art audio-visual presentation equipment available for use and a deck outside the conference room.
Free environmental education programs are being scheduled monthly at the Lilly Nature Center. In addition, programs, which can include a visit to the center, can be scheduled for your group.
For information about programs and schedules please call the Tippecanoe County Naturalist, Mary Cutler at (765)-567-2993.