Misson, 
Vision 
& Values

Mission

Warren Piece is a hundred-acre piece of land in Warren County, Indiana, where people come together to build community and conserve our shared land. Committed to our core values of community, conservation, and education, we value activities that enhance collaborative relationships between people and with the environment.

Mission Goals:

  1. To conserve and restore the prairie, woodland, and wetland areas of our shared land;

  2. Build community that operates with cooperation, transparency, and reciprocity

  3. Employ sustainable agricultural practices 

  4. Protect Big Pine Creek 

  5. Build environmentally responsible structures and infrastructures 

  6. Engage in outreach activities that are compatible with our values and vision. 

Warren Piece, Co promotes the idea of connection to nature for all. We welcome individuals from different walks of life, and strive to create a space that is accessible to all backgrounds and identities.

Vision

WP Co is building a thriving, buzzing community where people don’t just visit nature—they connect with it. At Warren Piece, we’re out to attract folks who wish to live lightly on the land, with a sense of purpose and some well-earned sprinkles of fun. We envision a place where individuals from all walks of life come together to share knowledge, build lasting relationships, spark conversations, and work collaboratively toward a healthier environment.

Through outreach, education, and hands-on experiences, we will urge a greater collective responsibility for the stewardship of our natural world, creating a lasting impact on both our local community and the broader environmental landscape.

The Warren Piece Community envisions a world where people and nature flourish together; conservation is a way of life; education fosters curiosity and stewardship; and community is built on shared work, shared joy, and deep connection to the land.

We are creating a place where:

  • The land is restored, protected, and flourishing. Prairie, forest, and wetland ecosystems are cared for with intention and respect.

  • People of all backgrounds are welcomed and valued and gather to learn, celebrate, and cultivate relationships with each other and the natural world.

  • We live lightly on the land and embrace practices that regenerate rather than deplete.

  • We are not separate from nature; we belong to it. 

We strive to build a future where conservation, community, and creativity intertwine, shaping a legacy of stewardship for generations to come.

Values

At Warren Piece, we're not just about tending the land—we're here to cultivate a true partnership between people and the prairie. Our values guide our approach to life, work, and how we with the world around us.

Community
We’re firm believers that there’s nothing more powerful than community. We’re growing a space where everyone—regardless of where they come from or who they are—can connect, collaborate, and thrive. We believe in real conversations, mutual respect, and making sure no voice goes unheard. We’re all about people power!

Conservation
From the prairies to the woodlands and Big Pine Creek, we’re passionate about the long-term health of the ecosystems that make this place extraordinary. It’s not just about doing less harm; it’s about doing better. We’re working to minimize our footprint while maximizing positive impact—on the land and within our community

Education
We believe the more you know, the more you care. That’s why we’re all about creating opportunities for people to get their hands dirty and their minds engaged. Whether it’s through our outreach programs or hands-on learning experiences, we’re on a mission to make sure everyone leaves with a deeper respect for nature—and the tools to take action.

Accessibility and Inclusion
Nature is for everyone, and we’re determined to make sure that everyone has the chance to experience it. WP is a space where diversity and identities are valued and supported. No matter who you are or where you come from, we’re here to remove the barriers that stop you from connecting with the land and the people around you.

How 
is WP 
Organized?

Governing Board

The Warren Piece Governing Board are the roots of WP, anchoring us on our continuing journey and helping us grow how and when we want.

Elected from members of the conservation council, the Governing Board is responsible for setting policy, strategic planning, fiscal responsibility; making sure that all members of WP are able to pursue our mission, values, and vision.

The Governing Board also creates pathways for the conservation council to things done. By setting policies, reviewing budgets and looking towards the future, the governing board ensure the Conservation Council will have what it needs to flourish.

Conservation Council

If you are a member of Warren Piece then you are a member of the conservation council. Simple as that!

The conservation council is tasked with “the feet on the ground” projects and outreach that make WP Co possible. This could be anything from stewardship, being the leader of a land plan project, engaging new members, or helping plan and execute events and workshops.

In addition, members of the Conservation Council share the responsibilities of maintaining the prairie, woods, and wetlands of the Warren Piece property, all while creating opportunities for humans to develop a kinship with nature.

Meet the WP Governing Board

Emily Carter

PRESIDENT

In her professional life, Emily is a strategist, copywriter, data-sleuth, and community builder. She brings systems thinking shaped by data, dirt, dialogue and the long view to everything she does.

Emily believes governance (when it’s done right) is a form of care, and that the most rewarding work is the kind that leaves both people and places better tended.

She’s the kind of person who reads A Natural History of North American Trees for fun and collects weird facts about typography. Also: she’ll talk your ear off about handmade maps, the writings of Aldo Leopold, or what bird that is over there. Preferably during a long walk in the prairie.

Barry Rubin

VICE PRESIDENT

Barry Rubin is a founding member of Warren Piece LLC, the original entity that acquired the 100 acre tract of land.  He has real estate background though is now happily retired. Barry served on several non profit boards including NICHES Landtrust where he served as board president.

Last year, Barry helped lead the effort to retire the LLC in favor of a Non Profit to permanently protect the land. He was also part of the committee that worked on establishing a Conservation Easement on 60+ acres of woodland, prairie and Big Pine Creek frontage held by NICHES Landtrust.

Barry is hopeful that WPco will become an integral part of the effort to build community through its educational programming, local outreach and positive engagement with folks throughout the region looking for unique outdoor experiences.

Hunt Wiley

TREASURER

Hunt Wiley is a Warren county family man who retired from a career in the seed industry as a soybean breeder.  He and his wife Gail live on Big Pine Creek and have two sons and four grandkids, half of whom live on the Big Pine too.  Hunt grew up enjoying the outdoors from a biology angle to sports fun in canoeing, kayaking and camping.  The 100ac woods and prairie and creek frontage of the newly minted Warren Piece Co upstream of Hunt’s home was an instant attraction.  So he volunteered to join its management board and hopes to see the organization maintain and share the beauty of this Indiana gem.

Sam Cody

SECRETARY

Sam Cody grew up in Southeastern Indiana, where his love for the natural world was nurtured through countless hours exploring the woods, wetlands, and wild spaces of his home. With a biologist father and a naturalist mother, conservation and community engagement were woven into his upbringing. These early experiences led him to pursue degrees in Environmental Science and Wildlife at Purdue University, along with minors in Communication and Anthropology to bridge the gap between people and nature.

Sam now serves as the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for NICHES Land Trust, where he works to connect people with conservation through hands-on stewardship, education, and advocacy. His passion for community-driven conservation and involvement with NICHES is what drew him to Warren Piece Co., where he is excited to help build a strong, engaged community around sustainable living and environmental stewardship.

Sam believes that protecting the land goes hand in hand with strengthening human connections. Whether leading volunteers in the field, organizing conservation events, or fostering collaboration between organizations, he is committed to making conservation accessible, meaningful, and lasting. 

Linda Anderson

MEMBER AT LARGE

Linda is a retired biology teacher. She and her spouse, Hamer Paschal have lived in Tippecanoe county for 45 years. They have raised their 3 kids in this area. We currently live on the Little Pine Creek where we have restored a small prairie, showcasing their passion for native plants and nature. Linda has been involved with Warren Peace for close to 25 years and is very involved in the change to WP Co.

Bio Coming Soon!

Billy Brand

MEMEBER AT LARGE

Pam Burroff-Murr

MEMBER AT LARGE

Pam has lived in Warren County with her husband, Mike Murr, on the Big Pine Creek for more than 30 years. Retired from Purdue University, she enjoys continuing to use her communication skills on behalf of the Warren Piece Company (WPco).

Her values are compatible with the mission and vision of WPco. Protecting our shared land and the Big Pine Creek, building community, and engaging in outreach activities. Warren County is a beautiful area in Indiana. Warren Piece Co. is a small part of the county with enormous potential to bring people together, work on the conservation of our land and share in activities that bring us all closer to nature and its healing powers.

Craig Nyquist

MEMBER AT LARGE

Craig retired ten years ago after working thirty years as a Product Development Food Scientist. He and his wife live here on Big Pine creek, and it has been an ideal situation for us. The woods, the prairie, the creek are some of the many reasons we moved to Warren County.

Craig is also involved with many regional organizations beyond Warren Piece such as Niches Land Trust and The Indiana Fiddlers Gathering. 

Meredith Richmond

MEMBER AT LARGE

Meredith Richmond studied Sociology, Political Science, and Education. She is retired from teaching middle school special education, and from teaching social studies education at Purdue.  Music, books, and travel are a few of her favorite things. She values friends, family, community, democracy, truth, justice, and love.

Meredith and her husband Richard Fudge live in Battle Ground.

Bio Coming Soon!

Marian Rodriguez Soto

MEMBER AT LARGE

John Schumann

MEMEBER AT LARGE

John is a founding member of Warren Piece, LLC.  He graduated from Purdue in 1980 with a BS in Horticulture with a design option and started a design/build landscape construction and remodeling company, which he owned and operated until 2018. 

In 2017, at the age of 66, John started the MSW program at the Indiana School of Social Work and received an MSW in 2020.  He has been a practicing LSW ever since and , specializes in addiction and mental health. 

John has also served on the boards of the West Side Food Coop for 4 years, Tippco Soccer Club for 8 years and NAMI board for 6 years. 

 John's hobbies include gardening, raising goats, sheep and chickens, and playing basketball.

Bio Coming Soon!

Rachel Yanni

MEMEBER AT LARGE

FAQs

I am not a member, can I host an event or workshop on the property?

It depends, any workshop or event is reviewed by our governing board to ensure it is in-line with our Mission and Values. If you think you might have a workshop or event that would be a good fit, please fill out the following FORM and our governing board will take a look! Please keep in mind: we are an all volunteer organization so it make take a few days to get back to you.

How do I become a member?

We try to make the path to membership as straightforward and equitable as possible. However, we are still in the process in determining the best path forward. If you wish to get involved soon than later, subscribe to the Grapevine or join our volunteer roster.

Do you have to be a member to participate in events or volunteering?

No! While there are benefits to memberships there are also more responsibilities. Please join us for events and volunteers days whether you are a member or not.