Connecting with the Community at the West Central Indiana Outdoor Expo

On April 18–19, Ouabache Land Conservancy joined fellow organizations, outdoor enthusiasts, and community members at Terre Haute’s first-ever West Central Indiana Outdoor Expo, held at the Vigo County Fairgrounds.

Designed to bring people together around a shared love of the outdoors, the expo created space to explore, learn, and connect—and we were glad to be part of it.

Showing Up for Our Community

For us, tabling at the Outdoor Expo was about something simple: being present in the communities we serve.

Throughout the weekend, we had conversations with people looking for places to hike, families interested in spending more time outside, and individuals eager to get involved in conservation. Some stopped by because they already knew Ouabache Land Conservancy. Others were learning about us for the first time.

Both are meaningful.

Every conversation is an opportunity to connect someone more deeply to the land, and to the growing community working to protect it.

Expanding What’s Possible

As a volunteer-led organization, opportunities like this matter.

The Outdoor Expo brought together a wide range of outdoor interests—from fishing and hunting to camping and biking—highlighting just how many ways people engage with the natural world in west central Indiana. Being part of that broader conversation helps us reach new audiences and better understand what people are looking for in outdoor spaces.

We shared information about our protected properties, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved. Just as importantly, we listened, learning what excites people, what barriers they experience, and how we can continue to grow in ways that serve our community.

A Strong Start

For its first year, the West Central Indiana Outdoor Expo drew a mix of partners, vendors, and attendees. It’s clear there’s strong interest in outdoor recreation and conservation in our region, and strong potential for this event to grow in the years ahead.

We’re grateful to the Vigo County Parks & Recreation Department and event partners for bringing this vision to life and creating space for organizations like ours to connect with the community.

Looking Ahead

Whether it’s through events like the Outdoor Expo, volunteer workdays, or time spent on the land itself, each connection helps grow a stronger, more engaged community around conservation.

But none of this work happens without people showing up.

From building trails to caring for the land, volunteers are at the heart of what makes Ouabache Land Conservancy possible. If you’ve been looking for a way to spend more time outdoors, give back locally, or simply try something new, we’d love to have you join us.

👉 Explore upcoming events & volunteer opportunities

If you stopped by our booth, thank you! We’re glad you’re here.

And if you’re just getting to know Ouabache Land Conservancy, we’d love to see you out on the land soon.