Illegal dumping spurs parking lot closure at Eagle Slough Natural Area to protect sensitive wetland

Sycamore Land Trust has temporarily closed the parking lot at Eagle Slough Natural Area south of Evansville to protect its sensitive wetland ecosystem following a recent increase in illegal dumping and vandalism. The nature preserve and its hiking trail remain open from dawn to dusk, and visitors are encouraged to continue enjoying the area respectfully during the closure.

Sycamore’s land stewardship team is working to mitigate negative impacts on this sensitive natural area as a result of illegal dumping in the preserve’s parking lot, including removing bags of trash, old furniture, an abandoned truck, and most recently, drums of oil. These incidents create environmental hazards and take valuable time and resources away from Sycamore’s conservation work.

To deter further incidents, Sycamore is installing additional cameras, lighting, and signage at Eagle Slough. Individuals engaging in illegal dumping or vandalism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and local law enforcement will be increasing patrols in these areas. Visitors are encouraged to report suspicious activity by contacting Sycamore Land Trust at 812-336-5382 or info@sycamorelandtrust.org and to pack out all trash when visiting nature preserves.

“I am always amazed at how clean our parking lots and trails are when I visit,” said Sycamore’s Land Stewardship Director Chris Fox. “I believe this is because our hikers and our countless volunteers share similar values and are respectful of nature and other visitors so they keep the preserve and parking lots very clean. Unfortunately, we have recently had an increase in visitors that don’t share these values and have seen an increase in dumping at Eagle Slough from bags of trash to furniture and even an abandoned vehicle. The dumping not only creates an eyesore, it is a risk to our visitors and the flora and fauna that call our preserves home. This has forced us to make a difficult decision to temporarily close the preserve.”

Eagle Slough Natural Area protects wetlands and mature bottomland forest just south of Evansville, offering a walking trail with interpretive signage and an observation deck overlooking the wetlands. Eagle Slough is one of southwestern Indiana’s most ecologically significant wetlands and a favorite destination for birdwatchers. According to eBird.org, volunteers have documented over 240 bird species at the preserve, including over 20 State Endangered and State Special Concern species. The site also protects one of Indiana’s few remaining remnant stands of native baldcypress trees, which reach the northern edge of its natural range at Eagle Slough Natural Area. Once widespread across southern Indiana, baldcypress swamps now cover less than one percent of their historic range in the state.

Sycamore’s ongoing stewardship of Eagle Slough includes invasive plant control, removing trash brought in by flooding, and maintenance and repair of the observation decks. Volunteers check on the preserve frequently through an “adopt-a-month” program.

“We’re deeply grateful to our Evansville-area volunteers who help us care for Eagle Slough year-round,” said Jenny Stephens, Sycamore’s Board Chair. “Local advocates like Greg Meyer of Gonterman & Meyer Law have gone above and beyond to monitor and protect this special place.”