All you need is love—of the outdoors and community!

By Lauren Harling, Sycamore Branches Committee Member

Being a twenty- or thirty-something age person in Bloomington, IN is great fun. There are many opportunities to experience all kinds of people and activities on a regular basis. But if you’re like me, it has been a bit of challenge to find an awesome group of like-minded people who enjoy doing many of the same things I enjoy. It’s even harder to get them all on the same page because of our busy schedules. Being a member of Sycamore Branches has exceeded my expectations on every front. I have met fantastic people who are passionate about nature—and are also just a great time!

A new generation of conservation leaders enjoyed a Sycamore Branches-sponsored hike at Dilcher-Turner Canyon Forest.

On June 27 we hosted our second Hike N’ Brew event. We had a group of about 25 people who met at the Upland West Side Beer Bar on the west side of town and carpooled to a Sycamore property called Dilcher-Turner Canyon Forest. We got to explore this awesome preserved property together while chatting and getting to know one another.

One of the missions of our Sycamore Branches group is to share the mission of Sycamore Land Trust and foster an active interest in the outdoors. We got to spend about 3 hours outside together, sharing stories, ideas, and a few laughs! The people I met are interested in learning more about preservation and how they can help Sycamore. They are also invested in Bloomington as a community.

Enjoying local beer and great conversation at Upland’s West Side Beer Bar on a gorgeous summer afternoon.

That is one of the greatest things about living here, in my opinion. People actively support one another and local businesses to build a strong sense of community. Sycamore Land Trust is a non-profit organization that protects over 8,500 acres of land in southern Indiana. Forming Sycamore Branches for the younger generation of conservation leaders is just another way they are building that strong sense of community in Bloomington and surrounding areas.

I encourage any and all twenty- or thirty-something age people who love the outdoors to check out this group! We will be hosting events about every 4-6 weeks. You can get more information by following Sycamore Land Trust and Sycamore Branches on Facebook, and subscribing to Sycamore’s e-newsletter. Hope to see you there!