Originally, Native Americans, known as the Miami, inhabited the land that later became the Juanita Hults Environmental Learning Center (JHELC).  It became government land with the signing of the Northwest Treaty and was sold to private owners to pay off debts to soldiers.  The first two private landowners on JHELC  land were Jacob Noggle and Warner Mann, who divided the land in two equal parcels.   Mr. Mann built a log cabin schoolhouse, which became the first property in the Niles Township school system in 1839. 

In 1935, the land finally passed into possession of the Hults family, to Walter and Ethel Hults.  In 1966, upon the death of Ethel Hults (Walter died in 1942), the property was handed down to their daughter, Juanita Maley.  Juanita was a lover of nature and in 1970, attended a conservation seminar conducted by Dr. Clyde Hibbs, founder of the Natural Resources Department at Ball State University.  After the experience, she contacted the department and explained that she would be interested in donating her property for use in environmental education.  Her dream was for the whole area to return to its original natural state, while providing a venue for research and education concerning natural habitats and processes.  In 1986, Juanita Hults Maley died and her land, accompanied by a generous endowment, became a Ball State University property.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Management Department has utilized the property primarily as an environmental education resource for school corporations in Muncie and surrounding communities.  The JHELC also serves as an area for hands-on educational activities and environmental research studies conducted by Ball State University students and professors.

Source: Management Policies for JHELC property.  2002.  Shawn Hastings Creative Project.


Management Policy for Hults Environmental Learning Center, 2007