Sycamore Sightings in our New Wetlands at the Sam Shine Foundation Preserve

It has been an exciting first year in our new wetlands. Last October, Sycamore completed the construction of over 60 acres of restored wetland habitat at the Sam Shine Foundation Preserve in Monroe County and the adjacent Fix-Stoelting Preserve. This new wetland habitat is already full of life – including more than 14 great egrets, a species of Special Concern, spotted in August!

Juvenile little blue herons, including these two spotted surrounded by larger great egrets, start out white before turning blue. Photos by John Lawrence

This magnificent green heron was captured on camera in the new wetlands in June by Sycamore intern Wyatt Downey.

Sycamore volunteers helped to plant over 2,850 native plant plugs in the new wetlands this year, grown from local seed in our Native Plant Nursery. Photo by Chris Fox

This young barred owl was one of two siblings released at Sam Shine Foundation Preserve in July by Raptor Rise Rehabilitation Center in Bedford, a licensed professional rehab center. Please contact Sycamore for permission prior to releasing animals on our preserves to protect these sensitive natural areas. Photo by Rick Nicholson

These otter tracks were spotted in the fresh dirt around the new wetlands during an Indiana DNR staff training to identify mammal tracks. After disappearing from Indiana waterways, otter populations are beginning to rebound thanks to conservation efforts. Photo by David Wiles

Sycamore staff teamed up with the Indiana DNR with funding from the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. to use coverboards to study reptiles and amphibians in the new wetlands, like the state endangered Kirtland’s snake. Photo by Anne Kibbler

We also placed woody debris in the new ponds to create habitat for amphibians and reptiles. These wood frog egg masses were spotted a few weeks later in the branches we added. By spring, a resounding frog chorus filled the new wetlands. Photo by Chris Fox