A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Kris Krouse

Kris Krouse is a father, husband, and executive director at Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT). Krouse has been the executive director since 2005 and since then, has noticed a drastic increase in the societal appreciation of the Northwest Indiana lands.

“The Region has a much greater appreciation for our natural assets. This has been possible due to the credit of nonprofits, municipalities, DNR, national park services, corporations, volunteers, and many donors who are committed to ensuring our natural resources are preserved and accessible to the public,” said Krouse. 

SHLT got its name and establishment from the passing of Shirley Heinze; Heinze was an environmentalist, professor, and psychologist. When Heinze passed in 1981 two of her close friends, Robert and Betty Lou Seidner decided to keep her legacy going by starting the SHLT corporation. SHLT’s main purpose is to preserve and restore natural lands in the Northwest Indiana area. 

Since Krouse was a teenager he realized that his purpose in life was to help with the preservations of land. Krouse discovered this inspiration and life purpose through traveling and camping with his friends during his early adult life. Two noticeable and impactful places Krouse found his life passion were the Great Smoky Mountains and the White Mountain National Forest. 

“I find land preservation to be my biggest passion because it’s protecting habitats, plants, and animals that will be available for people now and future generations to enjoy,” Krouse said. 

As the executive director at SHLT, Krouse’s responsibilities consist of board development, finance, fundraising, real estate transactions, stewardship, programming, staff management, collaboration with individuals, and relationship building. When thinking about his favorite part about his job, Krouse believes it to be the communications and interactions with others. 

“The best part is having the ability to work every day with partners, volunteers, and a team of staff that are passionate about land conservation and have the highest level of integrity,” said Krouse.   

When looking back on the time Krouse has spent in his career, he defines the most eye-opening experience he’s had at his job to be how such a small group of people can make such a difference in society, and when reflecting on the best volunteer activity the SHLT corporation has ever put on, Krouse believes it to be their annual seed collection.

“In the fall, we can propagate and use the seeds on different preserves to increase their biodiversity, which is beneficial for insects, plants, birds, amphibians, animals, and communities/individuals,” Krouse said. 

Aside from being the executive director of SHLT, Krouse spends his time with his family, friends, and on the Valparaiso Rotary Board (VRB). This board gives Krouse the opportunity to do different environmental projects throughout Valparaiso that improve their community. One of the VRB’s more recent projects was in downtown Valpo right across from the downtown Valpo Library. This project created a library garden that was accessible to the public. This project was also the VRB’s centennial project. At the VRB, Krouse’s main job is to coordinate programs for meetings.

By the end of his career, one thing Krouse hopes to accomplish the most is the respect of all NWI citizens in the sense of their respect for their environment.

For more information on the Shirley Heinze Land Trust visit their website at https://heinzetrust.org/.