Putnam County artist Matt Rees is passionate about art and nature.
He is blending his love for the two with a Friends of the Park project that began recently and looks to raise awareness to the fact that Putnam County has more acreage in protected nature preserves than any other county in the Hoosier State.
"We also have 20 plus miles of biking and hiking trails, which are part of the People Pathways linking some 150 miles across the state. many of our residents use and love these valuable resources, but not everyone actively supports it with their contributions. That's what the Friends of the Park project is all about," Rees told The Putnam County Post.
The Friends of the Park Project consists of Rees producing four woodblock prints highlighting a different iconic Putnam County park area.
"These prints will be used to raise money, awareness, and, hopefully, new memberships for Friends of the Park, the fundraising arm of our Parks Association. A new woodblock print will be released about every three months," Reese said.
The first features Cliff Swallows at Houck Bridge and recently debuted.
Reese said thanks to an Indiana Arts Commission grant, 100 percent of the purchase price goes to Friends of the Park.
"You get the art and your money supports our amazing, local resources," he said.
The Friends of the Park Project is nothing new to Rees, who has done similar projects with the Indiana Audubon Society and Indiana Wildlife Federation.
"When I first started with the Audubon Society, I wondered why so much of what they do is about land. I thought it would be all about the birds and it took me a minute to understand. It's not like the old days when a species became endangered because of overhunting. In the modern age, species become endangered largely because their habitats have been turned into spaces for people. We need people spaces, but it can be balanced with wilderness protection," Rees said.
Rees said Putnam County manages to have that balance better than anywhere else in the state.
"We can be proud of that. With that pride comes the responsibility to support and fund this work, and so I decided to get involved locally with land protection and management," Rees said.
The project has a special meaning to Rees, who admits he and his wife are avid users of the parks and trails in Putnam County, but notes, there's also a selfish reason behind it.
"My artwork is largely of birds. The tremendous bird variety we enjoy in our county is a direct result of our protected wilderness environments," Rees said.
He said the newly acquired 600 acre Fern Station Nature Preserve in Putnam County, which was partially approved for purchase due to two pairs of the endangered cerulean warbler that was discovered residing there, further drives home the proof Putnam County takes care of its wilderness.
"That's the kind of county I want to live in -- one where responsible land stewardship is strongly supported by the community. I'm hopeful that my art can help the effort. Besides purchasing the artwork, becoming a member of the Friends of the Park is a very affordable way to protect what you love," Rees said.
The prints are $75 and can be purchased at https://www.mreesart.com/giclee-warehouse/standard_products/cliff-swallows-at-houck-bridge-giclee?product_gallery=76289&product_id=6459625.
Anyone wishing to become a Friends of the Park can do so by visiting https://putnamparks.org/support.
