Dear Sycamore friends,
In early August 2024, members of our Land Stewardship team stood at the edge of the newly restored wetlands at the Sam Shine Foundation Preserve and witnessed an unforgettable sight: fourteen great egrets, a species of special concern in Indiana, gathered in the shallow water. Just a year before, this spot had been an abandoned farm field. This breathtaking sight marked a milestone in Sycamore’s largest habitat restoration project to date, providing proof that, when we create high-quality habitat, wildlife responds.
In just the first year since we completed over 60 acres of new wetlands at Shine, a remarkable array of species have moved in. We documented a population of state-endangered Kirtland’s snakes using the new crawfish burrows popping up along the wetland’s edge. A pair of river otters, a species that had completely disappeared from Indiana waterways just a few decades ago, was seen playing in the willows. On spring nights, frog choruses filled the air with the sound of life returning. Four state endangered short-eared owls were spotted hunting over the native grassland habitat we planted nearby. These inspiring signs underscore what we believe so deeply at Sycamore – that effective stewardship transforms landscapes, supports biological diversity, and ensures a future for the species that depend on these habitats.
This work builds on decades of strategic land protection in a watershed that is critical not only for wildlife, but also for clean water, climate resilience, and community well-being. As wetlands, forests, and grasslands disappear across our state, we are showing what’s possible when we act boldly and collaboratively. In 2024, Sycamore protected an additional 460 acres across southern Indiana, bringing our total to 11,727 acres of permanently conserved land. We expanded key nature preserves and improved public access by maintaining over 30 miles of trails. We restored vital habitats in our care and deepened our partnerships with researchers, conservation partners, and neighboring landowners.
Our Environmental Education program also continued to grow, offering more than 80 programs to over 2,200 participants. Through guided hikes and hands-on educational workdays, we are connecting more people to the natural world and cultivating the next generation of conservation leaders.
Sycamore earned its five-year reaccreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2024, affirming our commitment to the highest national standards in land conservation. This rigorous review process recognizes Sycamore’s excellence in ethical conduct, sound financial management, and lasting stewardship. We were especially honored to receive a special commendation for our habitat restoration projects, an endorsement of both our conservation practices and our vision for the future.
None of this would be possible without you – our generous donors, volunteers, and partners. Your support facilitates every acre we protect, every habitat we restore, and every child we introduce to the wonder of nature. As you read through this Impact Report, I hope you feel proud of what we’ve accomplished together. You are helping to safeguard what makes southern Indiana wild and beautiful.
With gratitude,
Jenny Stephens
Interim Director
Board Chair
