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ABOUT US

MISSION AND VISION

Our Mission: to preserve the beauty, health, and diversity of southern Indiana’s natural landscape through strategic land conservation and environmental education.

Our Vision: Sycamore Land Trust envisions a future in which southern Indiana has diverse and abundant habitat for native plants and animals, as well as clean air and water, working lands that are productive and sustainable, and people who embrace the connection between a healthy environment and our quality of life.

These statements were written by the staff and board of directors in 2017.

What We Do

We protect land through ownership or holding conservation easements to limit harmful uses while allowing land to remain in private ownership. In addition to owning land, we also steward the land by managing restoration projects.

Sycamore also operates an Environmental Education program that connects people of all ages to nature, including more than 5,000 people in 2017.

Staff

Sycamore is staffed by seven full-time employees and several part-time student interns. Our small but mighty team is committed to protecting land, restoring habitat, connecting people to nature, and raising support for Sycamore’s mission. Please get in touch with us at the contact info below. For general questions, email info@sycamorelandtrust.org.

John Lawrence

Executive Director
john@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 105
I started with Sycamore in 2004 as a summer intern, joined the permanent staff in 2006, and have been Sycamore's assistant director since 2008. I've volunteered with Wildcare as a wildlife rehabilitator, and served as president of the Sassafras Audubon Society. I'm a Monroe County native, and enjoy birding, plant identification, and walking with my wife Carrie and our three rescue dogs.

Ann Connors

Development Director
ann@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 104
I grew up in Bloomington, studied history at the University of Illinois, and got my Master's degree at the American Graduate School of International Management. After living and working in big cities and overseas, I returned home and love working to help protect our natural heritage. In my free time, I enjoy the local arts scene and visiting small towns and historic sites in our region.

Chris Fox

Land Stewardship Manager
chris@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 103
I grew up in southeastern Indiana and have spent most of my life working and exploring the backwoods. My career has provided me opportunities to track copperbelly water snakes through the wetlands and follow the endangered Kirtland's warbler from the Bahamas to Michigan, among other adventures. I joined Sycamore Land Trust in 2017 to help conserve and protect critical habitat for our diverse flora and fauna and future generations of Hoosiers.

Shane Gibson

Environmental Education Director
shane@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 107
My father immersed me in nature at early age through hunting and fishing, which influenced my passion for connecting other people to nature. I studied environmental science and elementary education at Indiana University, and my work with Sycamore is a perfect blend of the two. I live in Monroe County with my wife Taji, and two sons, Tanner and Sawyer, and a slew of flea-bitten varmints.

Susan Haislip Daleke

Administrative Director
susan@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 100
I spent my formative years on the southwestern coast of Connecticut exploring creeks, beaches, and woodlands, developing a passion for conservation at an early age. After graduation from the University of Bridgeport, I traveled the states as a US Army officer before settling in southern Indiana, home of my mother's family, to raise my own children. I enjoy birding, quilting, board games, and time with my husband Mike and our families.

Abby Henkel

Communications Director
abby@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 101
I grew up in Indianapolis, studied music at Earlham College, and got my MA at IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs. A proud member of Team Sycamore since 2016, I'm motivated to protect and restore Indiana's beautiful wilderness to counteract climate change and clean up the environment for my niece, Hannah. I sing soprano with several local choirs; I also like to climb, volunteer, travel, and cook vegetarian goodies with my girlfriend.

Ellen Bergan

Volunteer Conservation Intern
events@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 102
An Ellettsville native, I grew up exploring the forested hills of southern Indiana, gaining an early passion for conservation that was further developed by working with Sycamore in elementary school to preserve a local wetland. I now study environmental management and geography at IU, motivated to ensure our natural ecosystems can be cherished and protected for generations to come. In my free time, I enjoy backpacking, reading, knitting, and playing the kazoo.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors provides strategic direction as we preserve the land and wildlife of southern Indiana and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education.

George Huntington

Board Chair
Owner of Goods for Cooks

Greg Meyer

Board Vice Chair
Attorney, Greg Meyer Law Office

Mark Adams

Certified Financial Planner™
Bill C Brown Associates

Sarah Baumgart

Board Treasurer
Retired, Executive Director Development & Alumni Relations, IU School of Education

Brian Besser

Rabbi, Congregation Beth Shalom

Robert Costello

Board Secretary
Owner, Laughing Planet Café, Village Deli, Soma Coffeehouse

Tim Dunfee

Retired anesthesiologist at Bloomington Hospital

Jim Eagleman

Retired Park Naturalist, Brown County State Park

Elaine Caldwell Emmi

Bloomington Area Interfaith Alliance co-chair

Jenny Johnson

Managing Partner of Camelot Company

Bill McCoy

retired Refuge Manager, Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge

Judith Stewart

Brown County Circuit Court Judge

Maria Viterisi

Old National Bank

John Whikehart

Retired Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington

Linda Williamson

Owner, Linda Williamson Consulting LLC

Lindsay Wood

Attorney at law

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board helps Sycamore protect the hardwood forests, rolling hills, wetlands, and family farms that make southern Indiana special. By drawing on their expertise, we are transforming our vibrant region, from habitat for wildlife and native trees to environmental education for the next generation.

  • Mike Baker Retired, Owner of Quality Mill Supply
  • Wilfred C. Bussing III Attorney and Trustee of University of Evansville
  • Doug Dayhoff Former Owner of Upland Brewing Company
  • Jim DeCoursey Retired, Elanco Animal Health/Eli Lilly& Company
  • Steve Ferguson Chairman of the Board of Cook Group
  • Burney Fischer Clinical Professor Emeritus, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs
  • Baron Hill Former U.S. Congressman, Indiana’s Ninth District
  • John Hurlow President of Hurlow Wealth Management Group, Inc.
  • Rick Johnson President of Johnson Ventures
  • George Korinek Retired from Ameritech; Volunteer with the National Arbor Day Foundation
  • James Madison Professor of History at Indiana University
  • Vicky Meretsky Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs, IU
  • Jim Murphy President, CFC Properties
  • Edward W. Najam, Jr. Judge, Indiana Court of Appeals
  • Del Newkirk Retired from Brown County Community Foundation
  • Karen Pitkin RE/MAX Realty Professionals
  • Patti Pizzo Retired civil worker and librarian
  • Ronald F. Remak Owner of Bill C. Brown Associates
  • Scott Russell Sanders Author and IU Professor of English
  • Randall T. Shepard Senior Judge, Indiana Court of Appeals; retired Chief Justice of Indiana
  • Betsy Smith Executive Director, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation
  • Tom Tarzian Chairman of the Board of Sarkes Tarzian
  • Todd Young U.S. Senator, Indiana

LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA’S NATURAL HISTORY

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