Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:12 — 1.5MB)
The Sycamore Land Trust added over 80 acres to its Bean Blossom Bottoms Nature Preserve, last week. The new land contains wetlands, forests and existing farmland.
Abbie Henkel, communication director for the Land Trust, said building Bean Blossom Bottoms has been a continual process since the first acquisition twenty years ago.
Bean Blossom Bottoms, and its new land, hosts a number of protected and endangered animal species. The Indiana Bat, Kirtland’s snake and the Crawfish frog all call the area home. In total, the preserve helps preserve the habitats of over twelve endangered species.
Henkel said that balancing public accessibility with protecting these endangered species can be difficult. For the new acquisition to the Bean Blossom preserve, there will be minimum human presence allowed.
Bean Blossom Bottoms Nature Preserve has been named a State Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, as well as being dubbed a Wetland of Distinction by the Society of Wetland Scientists.