Habitat for Herons: Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve celebrates its 30th anniversary this year

By Kate Hammel, Communications Director

In the Winter 1995 issue of The Twig, Sycamore Land Trust—then only five years old and still an all-volunteer organization—  announced an ambitious new project called “Habitat for Herons.” The goal was to purchase a 94-acre wetland in Monroe County that had come up for sale. The property had been slated to be cleared for farming until the venture fell through, and now the wetland was back on the market.

Sycamore saw an opportunity and moved quickly. This was a very special property with significant ecological value, including a high-quality mesic floodplain wetland that was primarily wooded, with old oxbows from a lost channel of Beanblossom Creek. An oxbow wetland is a meander in a creek that has become separated from the flow of water, storing and filtering water and providing habitat to a variety of wildlife. The property bordered the 80-acre US Fish and Wildlife’s Restle Unit, which in turned bordered Sycamore’s own 42-acre Restle Natural area, creating the potential for 216 acres of contiguous protected land.

An initial inspection revealed a great blue heron rookery with ten nests, then only the second known rookery in Monroe County. A second visit found six more nests on the property.  The project was named “Habitat for Herons” to recognize its ecological importance as a nesting site.

A great blue heron on the boardwalk at Beanblossom Bottoms. Abby Henkel

The property was listed at $53,000. Factoring in interest and a stewardship fund, the total project cost was estimated at $67,000. Sycamore had eight months to raise $16,000 for a down payment, with the balance to be paid over five years.

To fund the purchase, Sycamore launched a campaign to “sell” symbolic acres and half-acres to the public—$650 for an acre, $350 for a half-acre. Donors received a certificate and a map showing their acre. “Smaller donations are also greatly appreciated,” The Twig emphasized.

In addition to member support, Sycamore volunteers applied for a challenge grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation and a grant from the Indiana Heritage Trust, funded by the sale of Indiana’s environmental license plates. If funding became available, Sycamore would need to be ready with matching dollars donated by our community. Sycamore members heard the call. The Summer 1995 issue of The Twig announced that the Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves would dedicate the property as an Indiana State Nature Preserve. By that time, Sycamore had raised over $9,000 from individuals and organizations, moving closer to its September 1 deadline.

“The nesting season is now in progress, with at least five nesting pairs in the rookery,” the issue reported. A tour was planned for after the nesting season. Ed Schools, the President of the Board at the time, emphasized the importance of community support. “The more work put into the Sycamore Land Trust, the more successful the organization will be,” he wrote.

A great blue heron lands on the beaver dam at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve in 2021, captured on our motion-triggered wildlife camera.

“Habitat for Herons” was one of Sycamore’s most ambitious projects to date. The organization had grown from a group of about thirty people in 1990 to well over a hundred members and four protected properties by 1995. The total cost, though modest by today’s standards, represented a serious commitment for a small organization. But by summer’s end, the funds were raised.

“We did it!” Ed cheered in the Fall 1995 issue of The Twig, announcing that the project had been completed four years ahead of schedule. The wetland was officially protected forever, and its new name was announced—Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve.Visitors were welcome to explore the site, with a few notes of caution. “The term wetland is not to be taken lightly,” he advised. “There is a good chance of getting muddy or wet.” At the time, there were no bridges, trails or signs. “As our resources permit, more accommodations will be put in place,” the article said.

Many individuals and organizations were thanked for their roles in completing the project. Henry and Alice Gray were recognized for helping at a critical time. Hank Huffman was credited for securing the Indiana Heritage Trust grant that “locked up” the project. Bloomington North High School Environmental Club donated $1,000, and many more were thanked who made the project possible.

The Beanblossom Bottoms Environmental Education Trail opened on November 18, 2007, built with the help of over 200 volunteers. John Gallman

In the years since its acquisition, Beanblossom Bottoms has become our flagship property, welcoming thousands of visitors every year for wildlife observation and environmental education. The construction of a boardwalk trail has made it easier for visitors to experience the wetland safely while minimizing disturbance to the land.

“Habitat for Herons” was made possible through the hard work and generosity of many people. That spirit defines Sycamore’s approach to conservation—one rooted in collaboration, vision, and care for southern Indiana’s natural places. As we look back on 30 years of Beanblossom Bottoms, we remember that it all began with a decision to act—and a community ready to help.

1993: A vision for Beanblossom Bottoms

The heron rookery at ‘Habitat for Herons’ in 1995

Barbara Restle owned about 120 acres of farmland and forest in northwestern Monroe County, and was inspired to protect it after learning that Westinghouse planned to build a PCB incinerator in the Bloomington area, then bury the ash on Bottom Road near her land. She had seen a bald eagle flying over her land for years, and was dismayed to hear that a timber company had felled a large tree on a nearby farm which was home to an eagle’s nest. So she took action. In 1990, she donated 78 of those acres to Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. In 1993, she gave 42 acres of upland forest to Sycamore. The Restle Natural Area became Sycamore’s first parcel at what is now Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve.

Winter 1995: Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve begins

The Winter 1995 issue of The Twig announced a new project called “Habitat for Herons” to acquire Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve.

In the Winter 1995 issue of The Twig, published in early 1995, Sycamore announced a new project to buy a wetland in Monroe County that was at risk of being cleared for farming. This was a major undertaking for our small, all-volunteer nonprofit, but they were determined to save this high-quality habitat.

Fall 1995: “We did it!” Habitat for Herons a success, 94 Acres Protected

The 94-acre “Habitat for Herons” property was Sycamore’s first purchase of land in the Beanblossom Creek area. It was the board’s largest fundraising campaign up to that time, which they completed four years ahead of schedule. “Habitat for Herons” ensured this high-quality wetland would be protected forever. The property was named Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve and designated as a state-dedicated Nature Preserve by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Nature Preserves.

1997: 220 More Acres Protected

In 1997, the area around the parking lot looked very different. This view is from Bottom Road.

This is the same view today. Our property sign is attached to the same utility pole, now just a post.

1999: Expanding the nature preserve, 5 more acres protected

One of Sycamore’s conservation priorities is to create connectivity between protected natural areas and build large blocks of protected habitat. We do this by acquiring land that is adjacent to our nature preserves, expanding habitat corridors and creating critical landscape linkages across a broad range of habitats.  In 1997, Sycamore expanded Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve by purchasing two parcels of adjoining land. In 1999, Barbara Restle donated an additional five acres adjacent to Restle Natural Area, growing the nature preserve to 343 contiguous acres.

2000-2001: The conservation corridor grows, 186 more acres protected

An Environmental Education hike with Edgewood Intermediate School students in 2006

Bald eagles have been nesting at Beanblossom Bottoms since the early 2000s

In 2000, Sycamore added 30 more acres to the Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. In 2001, two more land protection projects added 156 more acres to the preserve.  By 2001, Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve had grown to 530 acres. Barbara Restle recalled that a school bus of students came in 2001 to see the new eagle’s nest in a tree on the now protected land.

2005: A dream of public access to the wetland and Boardwalk construction begins

John Gallman invested over 600 hours of planning and labor in the Beanblossom Bottoms Environmental Education Trail

John Gallman, Sycamore’s Board President in the early 2000s, was a driving force behind Sycamore’s vision to expand public access to the wetland. “One of the reasons I pushed for the trail was that at the time, Sycamore had almost no public access sites,” he told us in an interview in 2019. “It was important to me that we do something for the public, since encouraging access to nature was and is an important part of our mission.”

In 2005, after much planning and on a tight budget, a dedicated crew of volunteers would gather every Saturday to build the original boardwalk. In the fields around them, a young forest was beginning to emerge.

John Gallman, Dave Hudak, and over 200 more volunteers constructed the original boardwalk trail

Over two hundred volunteers helped plan and build Sycamore’s Beanblossom Bottoms Environmental Education Trail. In the Summer 2005 issue of The Twig, then Executive Director Christian Freitag reported that hikers visiting the preserve “may see bald eagles, a pair of which are now nesting in the BBB area, one of only three pairs in Monroe County.” Duke Energy gave a major grant in 2006 to help pay for materials for the trail, and the Laura Hare Charitable Trust heard about the project and asked how they could help.

2007: Designated as a Important Bird Area by the national audubon society

2008: A 100-year flood

On November 18, 2007, the new trail opened to the public. But in June 2008, a 100-year flood lifted up a major portion of the new boardwalk and moved it 20 feet off course. The Laura Hare Charitable Trust funded most of the rebuild. Seasonal flooding of Beanblossom Creek continues to impact access to the boardwalk, submerging some sections every spring and requiring ongoing maintenance.

2009: Habitat restoration

In 2009, we began a three-year project to eliminate invasive reed canarygrass on the preserve. In 2011, we began another three-year project to remove more reed canarygrass followed by a native tree planting to reforest the site. These projects were completed by Eco Logic LLC and funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the Laura Hare Charitable Trust, Duke Energy, and Vectren, now CenterPoint Energy.

2011: 54 more acres protected

Sycamore’s first Executive Director Christian Frietag standing on the flooded boardwalk in 2011

2012: Endangered Indiana bats found

Endangered Indiana bat at Beanblossom Bottoms in 2012

In June 2012, a bat survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Western EcoSystems Technology found three endangered Indiana bats at Beanblossom Bottoms, including a lactating female and a juvenile. They were tagged with radio transmitters to find their roost trees.

2015: Beanblossom Creek Conservation Area project begins

Our Beanblossom Creek Conservation Area was created in 2015 to establish a corridor of protected properties along Beanblossom Creek, kicked off with funding from the Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust. With more than $3 million of total support, we purchased nearly 1,100 acres from 2015 to 2022 to expand the conservation area. Other generous funders included the Sam Shine Foundation, the Laura Hare Charitable Trust, the Efroymson Fund, the Ropchan Foundation, Oliver Winery, and more than 200 individuals and businesses, including landowners who sold land at a reduced price.

2017: Designated AS A Wetland of Distinction

The first wetland in Indiana to be recognized as one of the world’s most valuable wetland ecosystems by the Society of Wetland Scientists.

2018: Renovation project widens the boardwalk to increase access

Land Stewardship Director Chris Fox led the massive project to upgrade over 1/2 mile of boardwalk

In July 2018, after extensive planning, we began renovating portions of the boardwalk. The plan was to upgrade the most-used portions with half a mile of upgraded plastic decking and 900 feet of new treated lumber. The chief financial supporters of this massive project were the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Loren Wood Builders, and the Duke Energy Foundation. A crew of hired workers and volunteers began the rebuild in September, wading through deep and icy waters that winter to replace 3,600 feet of old trail. They also built new structures like wheelchair turnarounds, replaced old steps and benches for the observation decks, and engineered innovative building techniques like ramps to make the trail more accessible for people with limited mobility.

2015-2018: Beanblossom Bottoms Grows, 111 more acres protected

In 2015, we acquired 27 acres adjacent to Beanblossom Bottoms, and in 2018 we added 84 more acres to the preserve. By 2018, Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve had grown to over 700 acres. Including the adjacent Restle Unit of the Muscatatuck NWR and a Wetland Reserve Easement program on a neighboring property, over 850 contiguous acres were now protected.

may 2019: Finding the cypress firefly

Cypress fireflies were thought to only exist in cypress swamps, but Beanblossom Bottoms doesn’t have cypress trees

In 2019, the very rare and threatened cypress firefly was found at Beanblossom Bottoms, their northernmost location ever recorded. We’ve seen them at the preserve every year since 2019.

June 2019: Repairing the boardwalk after a tornado

Tornado damage closed parts of the newly-completed boardwalk only a month after it reopened

By May 2019, the boardwalk renovation that began in September 2018 was complete, and the preserve reopened to the public. But only a month later, a tornado passed through the center of Beanblossom Bottoms, taking out many of the preserve’s oldest trees. Some landed on the new boardwalk and extensive repairs were required. Evidence of the destruction is visible in the stumps along the trail as you approach the Swamp Deck. Natural disturbances like tornadoes open up habitat and brings more biodiversity, but Sycamore staff worried the tornado might have wiped out the newly-discovered population of cypress fireflies. Land Stewardship Director Chris Fox visited the boardwalk at dusk a few days after the storm and was relieved to spot their distinctive flash train. They had survived!

2022: “BioBlitz” records wetland biodiversity

The BioBlitz survey found over 900 species in this wetland, including the state-endangered Kirtland’s snake, first documented at Beanblossom Bottoms in 2005

On June 4, 2022, over 70 scientists affiliated with the Indiana Academy of Science (IAS) gathered at Beanblossom Bottoms for a “BioBlitz” to conduct a 24-hour sampling effort across the preserve. Researchers from multiple universities, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joined Sycamore staff to document over 900 species. The results of the Beanblossom Bottoms BioBlitz are in preparation to be published in the Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science. IAS intends to return to Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve after ten years to hold another BioBlitz, to see how results have changed over time as a result of Sycamore’s ongoing habitat restoration and management.

2024: Two new nature preserves added, 824 total acres protected

The Oliver Preserve protects 61 acres of future wetland habitat next to Monroe County’s only covered bridge

In 2024, we expanded the Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve complex to 824 contiguous acres by establishing two new bordering nature preserves, which we will restore with support from the Wetland Reserve Easement program and other funding sources. The Oliver Preserve, a new 61-acre nature preserve donated by Bill and Kathleen Oliver, is located south of the main portion of Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve attached to a tract of the preserve. At the preserve’s southern border, Beanblossom Creek is spanned by the reconstructed Cedar Ford covered bridge, originally built by the Kennedy Brothers in 1885.

We also purchased the John Allen England Nature Preserve in 2024, adding 26 acres to Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. This includes one of the last unprotected portions of the floodplain in the northeast portion of the preserve. It also protects an upland portion that connects Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve to the Restle Natural Area, our first acquisition in this growing and thriving habitat corridor.

Photos by John Lawrence, Abby Henkel, Hugh Hazelrigg, Wyatt Downey, Ellen Bergan.

Self-guided Nature Trail and educational kiosk coming to Beanblossom Bottoms in June

Join us to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Saturday, June 14, 2025, with a full day of guided hikes for our members! We will begin with sunrise yoga in the wetlands, followed by wetland exploration and birdwatching opportunities with local expert naturalists. Space for these member-only guided hikes is limited and registration is required. Registration will open on May 1 at sycamorelandtrust.org/events.

Scan the QR codes along the new Self-Guided Nature Trail to hear the calls of wetland species found at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve, like baby beavers we recorded on our motion-triggered wildlife cameras and the distinctive “pump-er-lunk” call of the endangered American bittern, which sounds more like a pump than a bird. American bittern at Beanblossom Bottoms, Chris Fox

We’ll also celebrate the completion of trailhead improvements at Beanblossom Bottoms funded by Duke Energy, including a beautiful new cedar educational kiosk and benches built by Land Stewardship Director Chris Fox. We’ll celebrate new educational signage highlighting the incredible biodiversity found in this vital wetland. The project included improvements to the 0.3-mile gravel trail that accesses the boardwalk, elevating the trail above rising water levels.

Beavers, the hardest-working land stewards on our preserves, play an important role in restoring wetland habitat and supporting biodiversity here. We are grateful for their efforts, but they make maintaining trails in this wetland a challenging task! The local hydrology is constantly changing due to beaver activity, and now some areas of the trail can be wet any time of the year. Waterproof shoes are recommended.

A resilient pair of eagles and their offspring have rebuilt their nest at Beanblossom Bottoms at least twice after tornadoes and other natural disturbances. The current nest is visible in winter from a spot on the trail about 400 feet after the start of the boardwalk (binoculars help!)  Young eagles in their nest at Beanblossom Bottoms, Lori Naanes

Beanblossom Bottoms supports remarkable biodiversity. When Chip Methvin photographed this bobcat from the boardwalk in 2017, Sycamore’s Executive Director Christian Freitag saw it as a good sign that restoring the environment to what it was centuries ago is working. Chip Methvin

A new Self-Guided Nature Trail funded by Del and Letty Newkirk opens on June 14. Scan the QR codes along the trail to hear Land Stewardship Director Chris Fox talk about the rare, threatened, and endangered species protected in this wetland, the many ways the land is healing itself through our careful management, and how the hard work of hundreds of volunteers and the support of our community made the dream of a wetland boardwalk a reality. Learn about the beaver dam’s impact on local hydrology, dragonfly exoskeletons, the deafening spring chorus of frogs, how we sank posts 15-20 feet into the mud before we could find solid ground, and much more along our new Self-Guided Nature Trail. The trail signs will be installed on June 14. Information will also be available online at sycamorelandtrust.org/learn.

This article is from the Winter-Spring 2025 issue of The Twig, “The Habitat for Herons Issue.” Read the issue at sycamorelandtrust.org/twig