The Nature Conservancy and Honda announce the highly anticipated summer Natural Treasures challenge that gives Hoosiers an opportunity to explore natural sites in Indiana, as well as the chance to win a Honda Civic Hybrid. The contest officially starts on Aug. 1, so start planning now to visit these beautiful sites that reflect the natural beauty of Indiana.

The challenge runs through Sept. 30. Visit nature.org/naturaltreasures to learn more, and sign up for updates on the sweepstakes.

Since 1959, The Nature Conservancy has helped protect more than 80,000 acres of the most vital freshwater and forest habitats in Indiana. The Nature Conservancy and Honda of America Mfg., Inc. developed the Natural Treasures challenge as a way to help showcase some of Indiana’s protected “hidden gems,” and to encourage learning about different natural features of the state.

“No matter where you live in our state, we have selected various accessible areas for Hoosier families to experience the natural wonders of Indiana,” said Mary McConnell, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Indiana. “Natural Treasures highlights the diversity of our state’s extraordinary natural areas, and it shows families that experiencing nature is closer and easier than you think. If Hoosiers discover and come to know these areas, they’ll be inspired to help us protect them.”

For a chance to win, participants can visit one or more of some of Indiana's best natural areas and record their visit by taking a photo of themselves, then upload the photo to nature.org/naturaltreasures to enter the sweepstakes. One grand prize winner will receive a Honda Civic Hybrid. Visit nature.org/naturaltreasures for complete rules and a map of Indiana sites.

While the sweepstakes is open only to residents 18 and older, Natural Treasures is still a great opportunity for families to enjoy nature. A recent Nature Conservancy/Walt Disney poll has demonstrated that parents across the country worry about getting their kids outside as much as they do about bullying, the quality of education and obesity. What’s more, 82% of U.S. parents view spending time in nature as “very important” to their children’s development – second only to reading as a priority. The message is clear: to parents, nature is not just “something to do,” it is a crucial part of growth.

“Splash pads in the backyard are cool, but parents and grandparents can also throw some outdoor adventure into the mix this summer,” McConnell said. “Whether it’s skipping stones into a river or studying animal tracks, having fun at a natural area can mean so much to young minds.”

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide. In Indiana, the Conservancy has worked for 50 years at over 195 sites to protect more than 80,000 acres. Working from eight offices across the State, the Conservancy works with local communities on issues of vital interest, including the quality and quantity of Indiana’s freshwater. Visit us on the web at nature.org/Indiana.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides America's farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too.