The mission of the Laura Hare Charitable Trust is to promote the enhancement of Indiana’s natural environment. This is pursued through the preservation and stewardship of ecologically significant natural areas alongside the promotion of environmental education, stewardship, and awareness initiatives.
The Laura Hare Charitable Trust aims to preserve the natural environment by securing and managing ecologically significant undeveloped areas such as swamps, marshes, forests, and wilderness tracts. It emphasizes maintaining these lands in their natural state, with a preference for lands that permit public access, albeit under conditions that ensure the ecosystem's balance is not disrupted. The Trust supports educational and scientific activities that do not harm the ecosystem. It offers grants and gifts to charitable organizations focused on environmental preservation through land acquisition and protection. Collaboration with various government and private entities is crucial for the Trust to stay informed about significant undeveloped areas and opportunities for environmental education. While its primary purpose centers on land preservation, the Trust also invests in environmental education, stewardship, and awareness programs, particularly those allowing for interaction with the natural environment. Eligible recipients include not-for-profit organizations in Indiana with a strong track record in environmental protection, preservation, stewardship, and education, focusing on protecting natural ecologically significant lands. The funding focus areas include Land Acquisition, Environmental Education/Access, Environmental Restoration, and Environmental Stewardship.