SYCAMORE LAND TRUST€¦ · Forests Shrub/Grassland Wetland Sycamore Boundary Parking...

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SYCAMORE LAND TRUST Preserving land and connecting people to nature in southern Indiana

Transcript of SYCAMORE LAND TRUST€¦ · Forests Shrub/Grassland Wetland Sycamore Boundary Parking...

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S Y C A M O R E L A N D T R U S TPreserving land and connecting people to nature in southern Indiana

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Sycamore Land Trust

We are southern Indiana’s conservation nonprofit, and since 1990 we’ve been preserving habitat and connecting people to nature.

Take a moment to read about what we do, and then get outside and enjoy

all the hiking opportunities in this guidebook! If you like what you see,

we encourage you to become a member to help us maintain and expand these

beautiful natural areas.

Every year, we reach more than 5,000 participants through our Environmental Education program in schools, community groups, retirement communities, and more. We work with classrooms free of charge in ongoing, hands-on projects that get kids in touch with nature. Our public hiking events welcome people of all ages to our nature preserves, and are free for members and just $5 per non-member ($10 per family).

Sycamore preserves land through ownership and conservation easements (permanent contracts with private landowners). We protect this land forever, and actively steward it to build habitat, improve water quality, protect threatened species, encourage the growth of native species, and offer public nature preserves. Volunteers are an important part of our stewardship program.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

LAND STEWARDSHIP

PHOTO BY BLUELINE

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[email protected] ext. 100

Bartholomew CountyTANGEMAN WOODS ....................................................8

TOUCH THE EARTH NATURAL AREA ..............................10

Brown CountyLAURA HARE NATURE PRESERVE AT DOWNEY HILL .........12

TREVLAC BLUFFS NATURE PRESERVE ...........................14

Greene CountyDILCHER-TURNER CANYON FOREST ..............................16

Lawrence CountyJEREMY K. OAKLEY PRESERVE ....................................18

Monroe CountyAMY WEINGARTNER BRANIGIN PENINSULA PRESERVE ....20

BEANBLOSSOM BOTTOMS NATURE PRESERVE ...............22

THE CEDARS PRESERVE .............................................24

LAKE LEMON WOODS ................................................26

PORTER WEST PRESERVE ..........................................28

POWELL PRESERVE ...................................................30

SCARLET OAK WOODS ...............................................32

Pike & Gibson CountiesCOLUMBIA MINE PRESERVE .......................................34

Vanderburgh CountyEAGLE SLOUGH NATURAL AREA ...................................36

P R E S E R V E S S E R V I C E A R E A

Get in touch!

WWW.SYCAMORELANDTRUST.ORG

facebook.com/sycamorelandtrust

@sycamorelandtrust

@syclandtrust

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GET INVOLVEDGET INVOLVED

1. Become a member and support conservation in southern Indiana at sycamorelandtrust.org/donate.

2. Volunteer for a workday, on an environmental education hike, in the office, or at a special event.

3. Attend one of our educational outdoors events.

4. Spread the word about the importance of conservation to your family and friends.

5. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your experiences with #sycamorelandtrust.

6. Sign up for our e-news at sycamorelandtrust.org/subscribe.

Beyond visiting our nature preserves, there are lots of ways to get involved:

V I S I T A T I O N R U L E S

0.6 MI

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» Open hours: dawn to dusk unless noted otherwise.

» Please stay on the trails and do not disturb plants, animals, minerals, or historic artifacts. Hunting is not allowed, except for limited hunting at the Columbia Mine Preserve.

» No camping, fires, off-road vehicles, bikes, horses, or littering (including dog poo!)

» Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed at all times for the safety of wildlife, your dog, and other people.

L E G E N D

T R A I L F E A T U R E S

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State Road 46

Old Nashville Road

Wolf Creek

RecyclingCenter

F

Fire Station

.6 mi l oop

SR 46500W

Coun

try C

lub

525W

Old Nashville

675W

From the intersection of SR 46 and Country Club Rd, go north on Country Club and turn left onto Old Nashville Rd. Parking is available at the fire department; be sure not to block their garage.

Tangeman Woods is a beautiful mixed hardwood forest with intermittent creeks. The Outdoor Lab nature trail, created in the 1970s, is still used for school field trips, including those conducted by Sycamore’s Environmental Education program.

T A N G E M A N W O O D ST A N G E M A N W O O D S

Bartholomew County

Diverse tree species, fall colors

DONATED BY: IRWIN-SWEENEY-MILLER FOUNDATION

0.6 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

32 AC

2007

PH

OTO

BY JEFF DANIELSON8 9

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State Road 46

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lub

.5 mi loop

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Co. R

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0W

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lub

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From Columbus, go west on SR 46 to Country Club Rd and turn left. From Bloomington/Nashville, go east on SR 46. Four miles after crossing the Bartholomew County line (look for the blue water tower), turn right onto Country Club Rd. Entrance is on your left after 0.5 mi.

Located conveniently near SR 46 just west of Columbus, this preserve is the largest natural area in the county, and is an excellent spot for hiking and birdwatching.

T O U C H T H E E A R T H N A T U R A L A R E A

T O U C H T H E E A R T H N A T U R A L A R E A

Bartholomew County

Colorful prairie plantings, fields reverting to forest, birds such as prairie warblers

ACQUIRED WITH GIFTS FROM: ANONYMOUS, SYCAMORE MEMBERS

1.9 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

98 AC

1995 1998

PH

OTO

BY JAIME SWEANY10 11

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Brown CountyState Park

From the intersection of SR 46 and SR 135/Van Buren St in Nashville, drive east on 46 for 5.5 mi. Turn right on Valley Branch Rd and drive 1.5 mi to parking lot on your left.

At nearly 600 acres, this rugged preserve helps form a huge block of contiguous forest habitat, protected forever for the benefit of songbirds, raptors, and box turtles. A trail built by the Hoosier Hikers Council takes visitors on a beautiful journey from the ridgeline to the valley and back. Walk the easy portion along an old road, or do the loop for a more rugged hike.

T H E L A U R A H A R E N A T U R E P R E S E R V E A T D O W N E Y H I L L

T H E L A U R A H A R E N A T U R E P R E S E R V E A T D O W N E Y H I L L

Brown County

Classic steep Brown County hills, brilliant fall colors, seasonal ponds, cerulean warblers

ACQUIRED WITH GIFTS FROM: MEMBERS OF THE DOWNEY HILL CORPORATION, THE LAURA HARE CHARITABLE TRUST, AND SYCAMORE MEMBERS

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

593 AC

2012 6 MI

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i loop

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Nashville

Lake Lemon

YellowwoodStateForest

SR 45

SR 4

5

W. Shore DrBean blossom Crk

SR 135

Nashville1 mile

BeanBlossomFrom Unionville, follow SR 45 east for 6.5 mi

to Old SR 45, which is on the right just before the Beanblossom Creek bridge. For Yellowwood Trail, turn right onto Old SR 45 and go 0.2 mi to the marked trailhead. The gated lane past the trailhead is private. For the bottomland trail, continue on SR 45 for 0.7 mi, crossing the bridge. The trailhead is on the right by a gate, where SR 45 takes a 90-degree turn to the left. Parking is limited to roadside pull-offs at both locations.

This beautiful preserve protects 1.7 miles of Beanblossom Creek and a bluff with rare eastern hemlock trees, found naturally in only about two dozen places in Indiana. Reach the top of the bluff via a portion of the historic Yellowwood Trail or explore the bottomlands. Portions of the Yellowwood Trail cross private property; please respect our neighbors and stay on the trail.

T R E V L A C B L U F F S N A T U R E P R E S E R V E

T R E V L A C B L U F F S N A T U R E P R E S E R V E

ACQUIRED WITH GIFTS FROM: ANONYMOUS, THE MOORE FAMILY, THE NOLAN FAMILY, VIRGINIA YOUNG, BICENTENNIAL NATURE TRUST, INDIANA HERITAGE TRUST, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, AND SYCAMORE MEMBERS. TRAIL AND SIGNAGE SUPPORTED BY THE BROWN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

0.7 MI

1.3 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

260 AC

PH

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BY ELAINE EMMI

2011- 2014

Brown County

YELLOWWOOD TRAIL BOTTOMLAND TRAILScenic view, mature forest, woodpeckers, yellow-billed cuckoos

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Edwards Rd

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SR 45

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Elwren Rd

SR 37 / I-694.6 Miles

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Edwards Rd

From W SR 45 at the border of Monroe and Greene counties, veer right on E Chapel Rd by the white church. Take the immediate right onto Greene County Line Rd. Go 1 mile and turn left on Edwards Rd. Parking is on your right just after railroad tracks.

Follow the loop trail through this spectacular preserve, with views of ravines and seasonal waterfalls, and you’ll see why we consider this special place a hidden gem.

D I L C H E R -T U R N E R C A N Y O N F O R E S T

D I L C H E R -T U R N E R C A N Y O N F O R E S T

Seasonal waterfalls, sandstone outcrops, rare ferns, scarlet and summer tanagers

DONATED BY: DAVID AND KATHY DILCHER AND F. RUDOLF TURNER

1.6 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

68 AC

Greene County

2013PHOTO BY JAIME SWEANY

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SR 446

US HWY 50

Co. Rd 850

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ville

From the intersection of SR 446 and US Hwy 50 east of Bedford, go 3.3 mi east on US 50 to Leesville Rd. Turn right onto Leesville Rd and go 1.3 mi. Park at the gate on your left.

Following the untimely loss of her son Jeremy, Kathy Oakley donated this land to Sycamore Land Trust to preserve the woods her son cherished. As a young boy, this upland forest, with its stream and rich diversity of trees, wildflowers, and wildlife, was his playground. This beautiful natural area stands as an everlasting tribute to Jeremy and his connection to the land.

J E R E M Y K . O A K L E Y N A T U R E P R E S E R V E

J E R E M Y K . O A K L E Y N A T U R E P R E S E R V E

Mature forest, quiet creek valley,

spring wildflowers

DONATED BY: KATHY OAKLEY

0.3 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

15 AC

Lawrence County

2002

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From 3rd Street in Bloomington, head south on SR 446. Just before you get to the causeway at Lake Monroe, carefully turn left onto Rush Ridge Road. Take a left at the fork, pass the gated driveway, and turn right in the parking lot. Street parking is not available; if lot is full, please return at another time.

This forested peninsula, jutting boldly but all too briefly into Monroe Lake, is a fitting memorial to Amy, who possessed the gift of focusing on life’s beauty. The preserve offers spectacular views of Lake Monroe on either side as you hike the scenic trail. It’s not uncommon to see a bald eagle flying overhead. Hours are 8am to 8pm or as posted.

A M Y W E I N G A R T N E R B R A N I G I N P E N I N S U L A P R E S E R V E

A M Y W E I N G A R T N E R B R A N I G I N P E N I N S U L A P R E S E R V E

1.7 miles of lake frontage, unparalleled views,

woodpeckers, and bald eagles

ACQUIRED WITH GIFTS FROM: THE JARVIS FAMILY, LARRY AND CAROL WEINGARTNER, BICENTENNIAL NATURE TRUST, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF

BLOOMINGTON AND MONROE COUNTY, SYCAMORE MEMBERS

2 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

48 AC

Monroe County

2015

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Indian Creek

Beanblossom Creek

MuscatatuckWildlife Refuge

.3mi

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ilo

op

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.2m

i

.2 mi

SR 46

SR 3

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Unio

n Va

lley

Delap Bott

om

Woodl and

Woodal

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Beanblossom Creek

From the intersection of SR 46 and Union Valley Rd, turn right onto Union Valley and go 2.5 mi to the T intersection with Delap Road. Turn right. Stay on Delap Rd for about 1 mi, staying to the right as you pass the first two Y intersections. At the third Y, go left on Woodall Rd. Follow Woodall Rd for about 1.4 mi to the trail entrance on your right.

The exceptional habitat at this well-loved wetland preserve provides a home for the endangered Indiana bat, Kirtland’s snake, rare orchids, and other threatened species.

B E A N B L O S S O M B O T T O M S N A T U R E P R E S E R V E

B E A N B L O S S O M B O T T O M S N A T U R E P R E S E R V E

Bald eagle nest, frog pond, woodpeckers, warblers, and woodcocks

ACQUIRED WITH GIFTS FROM: GENE AND PEGGY BAUGH, PAUL AND BARBARA GREICO, BILL AND KATHLEEN OLIVER, BARBARA RESTLE, BICENTENNIAL NATURE

TRUST, INDIANA HERITAGE TRUST, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, ROPCHAN FOUNDATION, AND SYCAMORE MEMBERS. VOLUNTEER-CONSTRUCTED TRAIL FUNDED BY GIFTS FROM THE DUKE ENERGY FOUNDATION, THE LAURA HARE

CHARITABLE TRUST, OLIVER WINERY, VECTREN FOUNDATION, AND SYCAMORE MEMBERS. A TRAIL RENOVATION FUNDED BY THE NINA MASON PULLIAM

CHARITABLE TRUST IS PLANNED FOR 2018.

2.5 MI

D I R E C T I O N S

598 AC

PHOTO BY CHIP METHVIN

Monroe County

PH

OTO

BY DANIELLE LUCAS

1995- 2015

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

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From the intersection of Old SR 37 and Ketcham Rd, go west on Ketcham for 3.6 mi, passing Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve on your left. Continue south on Ketcham for 1.2 mi and turn right onto Thrasher Rd, by a pond. Continue down a drive marked “private” that Sycamore shares with a neighbor and park by the preserve sign. Do not block the bridge.

The Cedars Preserve takes its name from the 20-acre stand of eastern red cedars dominating the hill at the center of the property. The large blocks of limestone and a small wooden shed are the last remnants of a limestone quarry that closed in the 1960s. Legend has it that an earlier quarry was active until the owner perished aboard the Titanic in 1912.

T H E C E D A R S P R E S E R V ET H E C E D A R S P R E S E R V E

Sinkholes, limestone outcrops,

Louisiana waterthrush

DONATED BY: ANONYMOUS

1.4 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

40 AC

2000

Monroe County

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Lake Lemon

North Shore Drive

North Bay Drive Wild

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Tunn

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North Shor e

Morgan-MonroeState Forest

Beanblossom CreekFrom the intersection of N Walnut St and Old SR 37 north of Bloomington, head east on Old SR 37. Turn right on E Anderson Rd, go 5.6 mi and turn right on Northshore Dr. Take the second right onto North Bay Dr. Turn left on Wildwood Dr. Park on the left shoulder by trail entrance.

This preserve protects a steep, wooded hillside on the north side of Lake Lemon. When the leaves are down, you can glimpse the lake through the trees.

L A K E L E M O N W O O D S

L A K E L E M O N W O O D S

Mature forest, ravines

DONATED BY: THE ECONOBUILT CORPORATION

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T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

16 AC

1996

Monroe County

PH

OTO

BY MARTHA FOX

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ï

Vernal Pike

State Road 48660

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Richland Creek

SR

37

SR 4

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SR 45

Ver nal Pike

From the intersection of SR 48 and W Vernal Pike, go north 0.2 mi. Park at the first gate on Vernal Pike.

This preserve is notable for sinkholes and a spring along the south edge of the woods, as well as a forest carpeted with spring wildflowers. It was a gift from the estate of David Porter, who operated a composting business in the open area that is now reverting to nature. A mowed trail branches to the left to reach a historic cemetery and wildlife ponds, and to the right to a loop trail in the woods.

P O R T E R W E S T P R E S E R V E

P O R T E R W E S T P R E S E R V E

Sinkholes, wildflowers, purple finches, indigo buntings

DONATED BY: DAVID PORTER

3 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

188 AC

2008

Monroe County

PH

OTO

BY JAIME SWEANY

PHOTO BY CHIP METHVIN

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Beanblossom Creek

Mt. Tabor

Brighton

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White River

Stinesville

SR 46

BrightonBean b lo s som Creek

From SR 46 W in Ellettsville, turn right onto Matthews Rd. After 1.5 mi, turn left onto Mt. Tabor Rd and go 4 mi to Brighton Rd. Turn left on Brighton. After 0.5 mi, park at the pull-off on your left.

This preserve borders Beanblossom Creek and offers a diverse mix of natural habitats: forested hills, bottomland woods, and a prairie planted with native wildflowers and grasses—a great place to look for butterflies in the late summer and fall! A mowed trail starts by the gate and loops around the prairie.

P O W E L L P R E S E R V EP O W E L L P R E S E R V E

Prairie planting,

butterflies, American woodcocks

DONATED BY: PATSY POWELL

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T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

68 AC

2003

Monroe County

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St e phens Creek

New Unionville

Morgan-MonroeState Forest

BethelFrom the intersection of SR 45 E and Smith Rd in Bloomington, go east on SR 45 through New Unionville for 4.3 mi. Turn right on Viking Ridge Rd. Trail access is at the end of the road.

Named for the scarlet oak trees that display brilliant red fall colors, this property protects a mature, open forest that borders a unit of the Morgan-Monroe State Forest and the Danny Smith II neighborhood. A short trail follows a ridge that runs the length of the property, with a deep valley to the west of the trail.

S C A R L E T O A K W O O D SS C A R L E T O A K W O O D S

Beautiful ridgeline, creek valley, barred owls,

wood thrushes

DONATED BY: ANONYMOUS

0.5 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

66 AC

2002

Monroe County

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Patoka River NationalWildlife Refuge

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Co. Rd 475

Co. Rd 125 W

Patoka River NationalWildlife Refuge

Gate

Massey Lake

Indian Hill Lake

Sprigtail Lake

Snakey Point Marsh

StonehengeLake

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Over

look Trail

1.5 mi loop

Indian Hill Trail

SR 6

1

SR 57

Oakland City

SR 64

Co. Rd 475

§̈¦69

125Patoka NWRFrom the junction of SR 64 and SR 357 (Main

Street) in Oakland City, travel one mile east on SR 64; turn left onto CR 1275E. Bear right at top of hill. In 0.25 mile, bear left on paved CR 1300E, which becomes a gravel road. Continue two miles to CR 125W, across from Patoka Grove Church. Take a left on CR 125W and follow gravel road back to Columbia Mine Preserve.

Sycamore’s largest property, this nature preserve is a keystone piece in the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. Columbia Mine Preserve provides diverse habitat for many uncommon species, such as bobcats, river otters, and Indiana bats. The preserve is managed in partnership with Patoka. Limited hunting and fishing are permitted; for more info visit www.fws.gov/refuge/patoka_river.

C O L U M B I A M I N E P R E S E R V E

C O L U M B I A M I N E P R E S E R V E

Mix of wetlands, prairies, woods, and deep lakes; owls, American woodcock, Bell’s vireo, blue grosbeak, and orchard oriole

ACQUIRED WITH GIFTS FROM: BICENTENNIAL NATURE TRUST, DUCKS UNLIMITED, THE LAURA HARE CHARITABLE TRUST, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE

SERVICE, AND SYCAMORE MEMBERS

0.6 MI

1.5 MI

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

D I R E C T I O N S

1,043 AC

2012

Pike & Gibson Counties

7 TRAILS, RANGING FROM

TOPH

OTO

BY STEVE GIFFORD34 35

Page 19: SYCAMORE LAND TRUST€¦ · Forests Shrub/Grassland Wetland Sycamore Boundary Parking ObservationbDeck Waterway Waterbody State Lands Contours - 20' Interval Roads - Closed 5 8 0

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Waterworks Road

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Evansville

US41

Ohio River

From the intersection of US Hwy 41 and Waterworks Rd, drive east on Waterworks. The parking lot will be on your left after 0.15 mile. If the gate is locked, park in the grass across the street.

Eagle Slough is an oasis of wetland and mature bottomland forest, home to some of the largest bald cypress trees in the state and over 160 species of birds. The preserve offers a walking trail with interpretive signage along an old rail bed, and a series of observation decks overlooking the wetlands and open water lake.

E A G L E S L O U G H N A T U R A L A R E A

E A G L E S L O U G H N A T U R A L A R E A

Nesting platform for bald eagles, observation decks, warblers

ACQUIRED WITH GIFTS FROM: FOUR RIVERS RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, TRAYLOR BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, VANDERBURGH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT,

WESSELMAN NATURE SOCIETY, AND SYCAMORE MEMBERS

1.2 MI

D I R E C T I O N S

2012

Vanderburgh County

127 AC

PH

OTO

BY STEVE GIFFORD

T R A I LF E A T U R E S

36 37

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How do you get a hundred-foot sycamore tree? You start by planting a seed. And then you protect it.

Conservation takes a long time; you might not live to see the full reward of the work we do today. But your children might, and all

the generations that follow. And they will learn to love and protect the land, thanks to the seed that was planted many years ago.

sycamorelandtrust.org/donate

You can help protect southern Indiana lands forever. Become a member of Sycamore Land Trust.

TAK E TH E SC E N I C RO UTE .

V I S I T B L O O M I N G T O N . C O M

PHOTO BY BLUELINE

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[email protected] ext. 100

Get in touch!

WWW.SYCAMORELANDTRUST.ORG

facebook.com/sycamorelandtrust

@sycamorelandtrust

@syclandtrust

COVER PHOTO BY BLUELINE