SYCAMORE LAND TRUST REOPENS POWELL PRESERVE IN MONROE COUNTY FOR PUBLIC HIKING AFTER STREAMBANK RESTORATION, TRAILHEAD ENHANCEMENT, AND TRAIL EXPANSION

After more than five years of closure, Sycamore Land Trust has reopened Powell Preserve in northern Monroe County for public hiking following an extensive streambank restoration project, improvements to the preserve’s trailhead, and the expansion of its hiking trail in partnership with the Hoosier Hikers Council.

The 68-acre nature preserve near Gosport protects a diverse landscape of forested hills and ravines, bottomland woods, native prairie, wetlands, and riparian habitat along Beanblossom Creek. The preserve was closed to the public in 2021 after a major rain event caused an unnamed tributary of Beanblossom Creek to change course, severely eroding the streambank and destroying a portion of the preserve’s parking area.

This urgent need to repair the damage grew into a major restoration project designed not simply to rebuild what had been lost, but to create a healthier and more resilient stream. With support from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Program, Sycamore partnered with FlatLand Resources to reconstruct approximately 800 feet of stream using natural channel design techniques that slow and redirect water, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and create habitat for aquatic wildlife.

The restored stream now meanders through the floodplain, with features including a drop pool, riffles, J-hooks, and toe wood with soil lifts designed to dissipate the energy of flowing water while stabilizing the banks. Following construction, Sycamore’s Land Stewardship team and volunteers planted hundreds of native wildflowers, willow and dogwood live stakes, and more than 100 native hardwood tree seedlings along the restored corridor.

Signs of recovery are already appearing. Native plants including marsh marigold are thriving along the restored streambank, while water-quality monitoring through the Hoosier Riverwatch program is helping Sycamore track how aquatic life responds to the restoration. This summer, a young mudpuppy, a species of special concern in Indiana, was discovered in the stream.

Visitors returning to Powell Preserve can now explore an expanded trail system. Sycamore partnered with the Hoosier Hikers Council to improve and lengthen the preserve’s trails, creating a new loop trail that brings hikers through the preserve’s varied habitats and provides opportunities to explore the restored stream, pollinator meadows, upland forest, and banks of Beanblossom Creek. A new bridge provides access from the trailhead across the restored stream.

The reopening was delayed this summer after a devastating tornado passed through northwest Monroe County on June 17, toppling more than 100 trees across the newly expanded trail. Sycamore’s Land Stewardship team and volunteers spent the following months clearing fallen trees, repairing damage, and preparing the preserve to safely welcome visitors again.

Powell Preserve was donated to Sycamore Land Trust by Patsy Powell in 2006 and has been protected for more than two decades. Its restoration and reopening continue Sycamore’s long-term work to protect habitat along Beanblossom Creek in our Beanblossom Creek Conservation Area, a 2,400-acre habitat corridor in Monroe and Brown Counties.

The stream restoration was supported in part by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Program, which works to protect and enhance Indiana’s lakes and streams. The trailhead improvements were supported by the Duke Energy Foundation, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, and other generous funders. Sycamore also thanks the Hoosier Hikers Council and other community partners whose support made the restoration and reopening possible.

“We are excited to reopen the beautiful Powell Preserve,” said Land Stewardship Director Chris Fox. “This preserve is an important part of our Beanblossom Creek Conservation Area and contains important upland forest habitat, early successional fields and riparian forest. Unfortunately,  we have had to close the preserve due to a major stream bank restoration project and extensive tornado damage to our new trail system. Thanks to the hard work by our contractors, staff and volunteers the preserve is now ready for visitors.”

Powell Preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk. We welcome visitors to explore the expanded trail and experience the remarkable diversity of this landscape. For directions and more information, visit sycamorelandtrust.org/preserves/powell-preserve.