AUBURN, Ind. (AP): A 96-acre nature preserve that now protects woodlands along a northeastern Indiana stream has opened to the public.

The Journal Gazette reports the James P. Covell Nature Preserve’s grand opening was held Friday.

The preserve south of Auburn protects 2,700 feet of the west bank of Cedar Creek and boasts a half-mile trail open daily from dawn to dusk.

It’s the ACRES Land Trust’s first public preserve in DeKalb County. ACRES executive director Jason Kissel says the site boasts several trees estimated to be more than 150 years old, along with wild turkeys, otters and mink.

Jim Covell contacted ACRES in 1999 about protecting the property. He died in 2011 before finishing those preservation goals, but his brother, Dr. Jack Covell, completed the preservation plan with the nonprofit group.