Anonymous donor gives 23.3 acres in memory of wife

The Sycamore Land Trust recently received 23.3 acres of land in Lake Monroe watershed along State Road 46 east of Bloomington from an anonymous donor in his 90s.

According to the Sycamore Land Trust, the man owned the property and enjoyed it with his wife for 50 years before she passed away. The donor had grown fond of the property and wanted it to be preserved forever, preventing it from being developed.

Sycamore Land Trust is a regional nonprofit conservation organization protecting wildlife habitats, productive family farms and working forests in 26 southern Indiana counties.

John Lawrence, assistant director for Sycamore Land Trust, said the group plans to
preserve the land and perpetually care for all animals, plants, water and soil.

“It will remain preserved as a natural land area,” Lawrence said. “There won’t be trails, and we will cautiously watch trees near the property to prevent any harm to the property.”

Erin Hollinden, outreach coordinator for Sycamore Land Trust, said the trust is excited about the recent donation and appreciates other donors who contribute to protect southern Indiana’s natural beauty.

“These land donors have done something truly special. They’ve insured natural and agricultural land will be conserved forever and for future generations,” Hollinden said. “This land will be preserved to grow wild.”

Vicky Meretsky, a board member for the trust and IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs professor, said donations like this have allowed the trust to grow and given it the ability to accept more donations to be preserved.

“Our group began at a kitchen table accepting small acreage donations,” Meretsky said. “With these small and large donations, we are able to have a permanent staff and accept more donations to help preserve Indiana landscape.”