Sycamore launches Martin Dune Forest conservation project

By Tom Swinford, Land Preservation Director

Sycamore Land Trust is pursuing a major new conservation project—Martin Dune Forest, a 195-acre property in Monroe County with the potential to expand our Beanblossom Creek Conservation Area to more than 2,600 acres of protected land. The site lies near the confluence of the White River and Beanblossom Creek on a remarkable landscape of ancient dunes and wetlands. A dune forest is a community of plants and animals adapted to life on soils developed on wind-blown sand. Martin Dune Forest’s diverse habitats support a rich variety of native species, including migratory birds and wetland wildlife.

The opportunity began earlier this year when Sycamore learned that the Martin family property was for sale. After conversations and site visits, our admiration grew—for both the land and the family who has stewarded it for generations. The late John and Norma Martin cared deeply for the wetlands and forests, and today their children—Michael, Sarah, Tim, and Martha—have continued that legacy with their strong conservation ethic.

“Our dad treasured the land where he grew up and wanted to share the joy he found there with generations to come,” the siblings shared.

Beyond its natural beauty and strategic location, Martin Dune Forest offers exciting opportunities for habitat restoration and education. Future plans include reforesting former fields, conducting plant and wildlife surveys, enhancing native plant communities, and connecting the property to adjacent preserves within the Beanblossom watershed.

As this important project moves forward, we invite you to follow our progress and share in its success. Your support helps protect the stunning landscapes that define southern Indiana. By preserving land today, we are safeguarding clean water, wildlife habitat, and the natural beauty that make this region home.

This article was published in the Fall 2025 issue of The Twig, Sycamore’s membership magazine.