Sycamore Land Trust Incorporated

Programs: Land acquisition and related expenses: sycamore permanently protects and preserves the beautiful natural heritage of southern indiana. We protect over 5,000 acres of forests, wetlands and formerly mined or farmed lands and we do not allow commercial timbering on land that we own. We manage our 16 free public nature preserves to enable environmentally friendly recreational opportunities. Sycamore holds conservation easements on nearly 4,000 acres of privately held land to maintain the conservation protections placed on these properties. We have invested financial and other resources to protect an additional 10,000 acres, owned by other organizations.

environmental education: building an understanding of and appreciation for nature is critical to our mission of conserving land and creating a healthy environment for current and future generations. Over the past year we also had over 5,000 participants in our interactive programs at schools, at our preserves and other properties, and with community groups throughout southern indiana. Partnering with schools, we build native plant gardens and other habitats on schoolyards. Thousands of people of all ages and abilities also visit our public nature preserves and other properties to hike, birdwatch, photograph and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being in nature.

land stewardship: on land that we own, we manage for ecological health. With input from experts in ecology and environmental science, and the help of volunteer land stewards, we plant trees, eliminate invasive plants, and remove refuse. We also manage our public nature preserves for environmentally friendly public use by providing trails, parking areas, and educational signage. On private properties for which we hold conservation easements. We thoroughly monitor and report on each property through regular site visits.