Sycamore Land Trust
Sycamore Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1990 that protects 11,809 acres across 26 counties in southern Indiana through land acquisition, habitat restoration, and free environmental education programs serving schools, landowners, and a 1,250-member supporter base.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersBloomington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sycamore Land Trust does
Sycamore Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organization headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, founded in 1990 by volunteers from the Sassafras Audubon Society. The organization permanently protects natural landscapes across 26 counties in southern Indiana through land acquisition (outright donations, purchases at fair market value, bargain sales, and conservation easements), habitat restoration, and free environmental education programming. Sycamore currently manages 11,809 acres on more than 150 protected properties, including 13 public nature preserves with over 30 miles of free hiking trails. Its served audiences include 1,250+ supporting individual members, K-12 schools and community groups receiving free environmental education, landowners seeking permanent protection of their property, and a network of foundation, corporate, and government funders.
Core operational capabilities span land stewardship and habitat restoration (including a 60-acre wetland restoration at Sam Shine Foundation Preserve), a motion-triggered wildlife camera network that has documented 100+ species including 20+ endangered or protected species, a native plant nursery, invasive species management, and educational programming delivered to 2,200+ participants across 80+ programs in 2024. A 113-acre property acquired in 2022 (the Carl Ziegler Wetlands) is being developed into a 2,100-square-foot ADA-accessible Education Center with construction underway as of April 2026 and public opening planned for 2027.
The business model is philanthropic, with revenue drawn from individual donations and memberships, foundation and corporate grants (Sam Shine Foundation, Laura Hare Charitable Trust, Efroymson Fund, Raymond Foundation), state and federal government grants (Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust, Next Level Conservation Trust, NRCS), land donations and bargain sales, planned giving/endowments, and merchandise sales through an online storefront. The Development Director position targets $1 million or more in annual fundraising. All public-facing services — preserve access, educational programs, and membership — are provided free of charge, with donations encouraged but not required.
Sycamore Land Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sycamore Land Trust
- Legal name
- Sycamore Land Trust
- Website
- https://sycamorelandtrust.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sycamore Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1990 that protects 11,809 acres across 26 counties in southern Indiana through land acquisition, habitat restoration, and free environmental education programs serving schools, landowners, and a 1,250-member supporter base.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sycamore Land Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Land Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Support Activities for Forestry (11531)
- SIC
- Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Conservation & Protected Land Brokerage (Easements, Land Trust Sales) (BPAJADAH), Recreation, Ecotourism & Access Rights (Hunting, Fishing, Camping) (AFAMAMAD), Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)
Keywords
Where Sycamore Land Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bloomington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sycamore Land Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Individual Donations and Memberships: Annual giving program with more than 1,250 supporting members. Individual donors contribute funds for land acquisition, restoration projects, and general operations. Members receive The Twig newsletter and invitations to events.
- Foundation and Corporate Grants: Funding from foundations including Sam Shine Foundation, Raymond Foundation, Laura Hare Charitable Trust, Efroymson Fund, and corporate sponsors for specific projects and land acquisitions.
- Government Grants: State funding including Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust, Next Level Conservation Trust, and federal programs through Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
- Land Donations and Bargain Sales: Acquiring land through outright donations, purchases at fair market value, and bargain sales (partial donations where landowners sell at below-market prices). Conservation easements permanently protect privately owned properties.
- Planned Giving and Endowments: Legacy Circle planned giving program allows donors to include Sycamore in their estate plans. Endowments provide long-term financial stability.
- Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling Sycamore-branded merchandise including hats and other gear.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Environmental Education Programs |
| Freemium | Others | Free Public Trail Access |
| Freemium | Annual | Free Membership |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Event Participation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Sycamore Land Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sycamore Land Trust is a nonprofit land conservation organization that permanently protects natural land in southern Indiana through acquisition, conservation easements, and landowner partnerships across 150+ properties totaling 11,809 acres. It operates 13 public nature preserves with 30+ miles of free hiking trails, delivers free Environmental Education programs to schools and community groups, and conducts large-scale habitat and wetland restoration supported by wildlife camera monitoring. Funding comes from individual donations and memberships (1,250+ members), foundation and corporate grants, government grants, land donations and bargain sales, planned giving, and merchandise sales.
Product overview
Sycamore Land Trust operates as a nonprofit land conservation organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services focused on preserving southern Indiana's natural landscape. Core offerings include managing over 150 protected properties (11,809 acres) with 13 public nature preserves featuring over 30 miles of free hiking trails; an Environmental Education Program providing free school and community programs; Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration services including wetland restoration and invasive species management; and educational resources including virtual hikes, nature coloring books, and the Conservation Conversations lecture series. A major upcoming addition is the Carl Ziegler Wetlands and Education Center (opening 2027), which will provide indoor educational facilities. The organization also offers land preservation consultation services and volunteer opportunities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Public Nature Preserves and Hiking Trails 13 public nature preserves with over 30 miles of free, no-permit hiking trails across southern Indiana, open dawn to dusk for outdoor recreation, hiking, wildlife observation, and nature photography for individuals, families, and community groups.
- Environmental Education Program Free environmental education programming for schools, community groups, summer camps, and retirement homes across southern Indiana, with curriculum aligned to Indiana state educational standards. Includes guided hikes, classroom lessons, and outdoor learning opportunities that reached 2,200+ participants across 80+ programs in 2024.
- Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Services Active stewardship of Sycamore's preserves including wetland restoration (60+ acres of new wetlands at Sam Shine Foundation Preserve), native plant propagation at the on-site nursery, invasive species removal, tree planting, and wildlife habitat enhancement, with technical assistance from NRCS.
- Wildlife Camera Project Motion-triggered wildlife cameras deployed across Sycamore preserves to monitor and document biodiversity; has captured 100+ species including bobcats, river otters, great egrets, and state-endangered Kirtland's snakes, supporting conservation research, public education, and stewardship decisions.
- Conservation Conversations Lecture Series Virtual and in-person lecture series featuring local experts and authors covering topics in conservation, ecology, and environmental science, offered as part of Sycamore's community education programming.
- Land Preservation Services One-on-one consultation services for landowners interested in permanently preserving their land through conservation easements, bargain sales (partial donations below market value), or full land donations; delivered by Sycamore's Land Preservation Director and structured around each property owner's goals.
- Volunteer Programs Organized opportunities for community members to participate in preserve maintenance, invasive species removal, trail work, native plantings, and other conservation projects on Sycamore's preserves.
- Branded Merchandise Shop Online storefront selling Sycamore-branded merchandise (e.g., hats and other gear) to support the organization's mission through product sales revenue.
Quantifiable outcome
- 11,809 acres permanently protected in southern Indiana
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Sycamore Land Trust
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sycamore Land Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Sycamore Land Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreCollaborative partner on land protection, wildlife monitoring, and conservation projects. Joint ownership/management of Restle Unit of Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)flagshipFederal agency providing technical assistance and funding through Environmental Quality Incentives Program for wetland restoration projects at Sam Shine Foundation Preserve and Fix-Stoelting Preserve. NRCS staff critical in site planning for restoration work.
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)coreState agency partner for land protection, nature preserve designations, and conservation projects. Collaborated on establishment of Indiana's largest dedicated preserve (3,349 acre Ten O'clock Line).
- Patoka River National Wildlife RefugecoreCo-manages Columbia Mine Preserve with Sycamore handling ownership and Patoka managing the preserve. Joint stewardship of 1,043-acre preserve.
- Indiana Land Protection Alliance (ILPA)coreStatewide network of land trusts and conservation partners. Sycamore is a proud supporting member of this nonpartisan alliance championing land and water protection.
- Land Trust AlliancecoreNational umbrella organization for land trusts. Sycamore is a member of the alliance which serves over 1,700 land trusts across the U.S.
- Strauser ConstructionminorConstruction partner for the Carl Ziegler Wetlands and Education Center project transforming the existing ranch-style home into an education center.
- Casseaux Architecture & DesignminorArchitecture firm partnered with Sycamore for the design of the Carl Ziegler Wetlands and Education Center renovation project.
- Abram-Moss Design Group, LLCminorDesign partner for the Carl Ziegler Wetlands and Education Center project.
- Indiana UniversitycoreAcademic partner providing student interns, research support, and collaboration on conservation projects. Stewardship interns from IU participate in restoration work.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sycamore Land Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Audubon Society: National bird and habitat conservation organization with state and local chapters. Comparable in environmental education programming, sanctuary management, and member-driven conservation funding, though broader in geographic scope than Sycamore.
- Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation for public access and parks. Comparable in land acquisition, conservation easement transactions, and partnership-driven conservation funding, but operates at much larger scale and broader geography than Sycamore.
- The Nature Conservancy (Indiana): The largest global conservation organization, operating in Indiana through land acquisition, easement, and habitat restoration programs. Significantly larger in budget and staff than Sycamore, but operates a similar land-protection model on overlapping southern Indiana properties.
Direct peers
- Ducks Unlimited: National wetland and waterfowl conservation organization that has funded Sycamore's Columbia Mine Preserve and other projects. Directly comparable in wetland restoration focus and landowner-conservation easement work, particularly through Indiana's Patoka River corridor.
- Open Space Institute: Regional land conservation organization protecting natural landscapes through acquisition, easements, and partnerships. Comparable operating model to Sycamore with focus on landscape-scale conservation and recreation access, though primarily focused on the Northeast.
- Vermont Land Trust: Statewide regional land trust operating under a comparable model of direct land acquisition, conservation easements, and member-supported stewardship. Similar scale in acreage protected and donor base, providing a useful structural benchmark for Sycamore's trajectory.
- Maine Coast Heritage Trust: Regional land trust managing a portfolio of permanently protected lands with public preserves and educational programming. Operates a comparable combination of fee-owned preserves and conservation easements, with a similar emphasis on land stewardship and donor-supported mission funding.
- Central Indiana Land Trust: Indiana-based regional land trust with a comparable mission of preserving natural and agricultural land through acquisition, easements, and stewardship. Closest geographic peer to Sycamore, competing for similar state, foundation, and individual donor dollars in Indiana.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sycamore Land Trust social profiles
Digital presenceSycamore Land Trust compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Sycamore Land Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sycamore Land Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Sycamore Land Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sycamore Land Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sycamore Land Trust
What does Sycamore Land Trust do?
Sycamore Land Trust is a nonprofit land conservation organization that permanently protects natural land in southern Indiana through acquisition, conservation easements, and landowner partnerships across 150+ properties totaling 11,809 acres. It operates 13 public nature preserves with 30+ miles of free hiking trails, delivers free Environmental Education programs to schools and community groups, and conducts large-scale habitat and wetland restoration supported by wildlife camera monitoring. Funding comes from individual donations and memberships (1,250+ members), foundation and corporate grants, government grants, land donations and bargain sales, planned giving, and merchandise sales.
Is Sycamore Land Trust a public or private company?
Sycamore Land Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sycamore Land Trust founded?
Sycamore Land Trust was founded in 1990. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sycamore Land Trust based?
Sycamore Land Trust is headquartered in Bloomington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sycamore Land Trust make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations and Memberships are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Corporate Grants, government Grants, land Donations and Bargain Sales, planned Giving and Endowments and merchandise Sales.
Who are Sycamore Land Trust's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Audubon Society, Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy (Indiana). Direct peers are Ducks Unlimited, Open Space Institute, Vermont Land Trust, Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Central Indiana Land Trust.
Does Sycamore Land Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sycamore Land Trust.
What industry is Sycamore Land Trust in?
Sycamore Land Trust's product category is Land Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAC, Land Trusts & Protected Areas, with a secondary code of AFAMAMAH, Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 800.