A 135-acre conservation easement, which includes one of the finest examples remaining of the original eastern oak-hickory forest in Kansas, will be dedicated Wednesday.

The land, donated by Roma and Ralph Earles, is located near the Douglas County Fishing Lake and woodland reserves managed by Kansas University and Baker University.

“Through their generosity and foresight, the Earles family has added a pearl to a string of already publicly protected properties in the area,” said Jason Fizell, executive director of the Kansas Land Trust. “The difference is that land trusts, such as KLT, work with landowners to protect their privately owned land.”

The Earles Conservation Easement is located within the historic Baldwin Woods Landscape, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1980.

In addition to the oak-hickory forest, there are several acres of post oak-blackjack woodlands, which are rare for northeast Kansas and provide unique habitat for reindeer moss, white moss and maidenhair ferns. All are now protected forever by the KLT, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving Kansas lands of ecological, agricultural, historic, scenic and recreational significance.

The dedication ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. As dusk approaches, naturalist and amateur astronomer Rex Powell will lead attendees on a brief tour of the early evening sky. Weather permitting, Powell will bring his 13-inch telescope for viewing notable features of the moon, planets and stars on the evening of the autumnal equinox.

The event is free and open to the public. To get there from Lawrence, take U.S. Highway 59 south toward Baldwin City. Turn left (east) at U.S. Highway 56 heading toward Baldwin City, and go 5 miles. Turn left onto First Street (Wagon Wheel Restaurant will be on your left) and proceed 0.1 mile. Turn right onto Ames Street/North 300 Road and go about 1 mile.