BLOOMINGTON — 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, featuring a drop pool, riffles, J-hooks, and toe wood with soil lifts designed to dissipate flowing water energy 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 evident. Native plants like marsh marigold are thriving along the restored streambank, and water-quality monitoring through Hoosier Riverwatch is helping track aquatic life responses. Notably, a young mudpuppy—a species of special concern in Indiana—was discovered in the stream this summer.
Visitors returning to Powell Preserve can now explore an expanded trail system. Sycamore and the Hoosier Hikers Council improved and lengthened the trails, creating a new loop that guides hikers through varied habitats, the restored stream, pollinator meadows, upland forest, and Beanblossom Creek’s banks. A new bridge also provides access from the trailhead across the restored stream.
The reopening faced a summer delay after a devastating tornado swept through northwest Monroe County on June 17, downing over 100 trees across the newly expanded trail. Sycamore’s Land Stewardship team and volunteers spent subsequent months clearing debris, repairing damage, and preparing the property for safe public access.
Originally donated by Patsy Powell in 2006, Powell Preserve has been protected for over two decades. Its restoration advances Sycamore’s long-term conservation work within the 2,400-acre Beanblossom Creek Conservation Area across Monroe and Brown Counties.
Funding and support for the project came from the Indiana DNR LARE Program, Duke Energy Foundation, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Hoosier Hikers Council, and numerous community partners.
“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 of our contractors, staff, and volunteers, the preserve is now ready for visitors.”
Powell Preserve is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. For directions and more details, visit sycamorelandtrust.org/preserves/powell-preserve.
About Sycamore Land Trust
Sycamore Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1990 to preserve the beauty, health, and diversity of southern Indiana’s natural landscape through strategic land conservation, habitat restoration, and environmental education. Sycamore protects 11,820 acres of forests, wetlands, wildflower meadows, and wildlands across more than 150 properties, maintaining over 30 miles of hiking trails on 13 nature preserves for free public access. Learn more at sycamorelandtrust.org.
