156 acres
Acquisition Date: 2007 = target
Location: NW Brown County

Significant and rare habitats!
Protection of a watershed important for humans and wildlife!
Important public/private partnerships!
Preservation of a venerable recreational trail!

SLT has a unique opportunity to help protect a remarkable piece of land in Brown County. Indiana State Nature Preserves biologist Hank Huffman called Trevlac Bluffs “one of most important natural areas in Brown County, and perhaps the most scenic natural vista in Brown County.” 

SLT is partnering with The Nature Conservancy and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to purchase almost 350 acres near the town of Trevlac. SLT will own the western portion of the property—156 acres containing almost a mile of Beanblossom Creek at the headwaters of Lake Lemon (shown in yellow on the accompanying map). Agreements are in place to designate SLT’s portion as a State Nature Preserve, the highest protection afforded by the state, and reserved for “the best of the best.”

Trevlac Bluffs is special for several reasons:

• The floodplain of Beanblossom Creek creates a rare bottomland hardwood ecosystem, important habitat for migratory songbirds and endangered species like the Kirtland’s snake.
   

• This floodplain forest complements SLT’s Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve, thirteen miles downstream.
   
• Above the creek are steep slopes that contain a population of eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis). These post-glacial remnants grow only on the north face of sheltered bluffs, and have an extremely small ecological niche. Only about 20 discrete stands of eastern hemlocks exist in the entire state of Indiana (and only 2 in Brown County).
   
• Another project in the works (shown in blue on the map) may also add adjacent land to protect the entire bluff system.
   
• Yellowwood Trail runs along the bluffs. For generations, hikers and scouts and birders have walked this land, appreciating the beautiful vistas and deep forests. At 21 miles in length, this was for many years the longest maintained foot trail in Indiana. Someday this trail may be connected to extend the Knobstone Trail, now Indiana’s longest through trail.
   
• Protecting this total property will help consolidate the important corridor connecting Morgan Monroe State Forest to Yellowwood State Forest. The portion not owned by SLT will be owned by the Department of Natural Resources and added to the state forest system.

SLT has committed to help secure permanent protection for this exceptional piece of land. Our commitment to help purchase and manage the Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve is $90,000. 

We appeal to you to help us meet this commitment. We encourage you to give at the highest level you can to make this project a reality.

Click here to contribute.