This special nature preserve is located in the middle of Monroe Lake, which is designated an “Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society. It is located on a portion of the former site of the Indiana University Alumni Association’s Shawnee Bluffs camp. The preserve features a long, forested ridge that extends out into the lake, which is the source of drinking water for the area. Sycamore’s work to protect and restore habitat here benefits biodiversity, clean water, and environmental education.
Thanks to the generosity of the Weingartner and Branigin families, this nature preserve was named in memory of Amy Weingartner Branigin. Amy was a lover of nature, especially bats, and explored caves as a kid while her father Larry Weingartner conducted his research on cave fauna. When Amy passed away in 2012 of a brain tumor, her family sought a way to memorialize her in nature. This is a fitting tribute to the life of a wonderful person.
The trail at the preserve is named in memory of Don and Betsy Whitehead, thanks to gifts from the Whitehead family and friends. Don and Betsy spent many hours birding at Lake Monroe, and Don was the long-time organizer of the Lake Monroe Christmas Bird Count. Don also led groundbreaking research on the effects of forest fragmentation on migrant songbirds in southern Indiana. The preserve is located at 7466 E Rush Ridge Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401.