Green's Bluff Nature Preserve grows by 83 acres

Green's Bluff Nature Preserve grows by 83 acres
Green's Bluff will expand by nearly 83 acres thanks to an anonymous donation to The Nature Conservancy. This means more forest protection for Raccoon Creek, which meanders through the preserve. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY VINCE GARMON & TNC.

Green's Bluff Nature Preserve, a hidden gem nestled in the hills of rural Owen County, is expanding thanks to a recent land donation to The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

Owned and managed by TNC, the preserve comprises 1,134 acres of land and features a grove of eastern hemlock trees, cave entrances and remnants of an old grist mill. Scarlet tanagers, wood thrushes, bobcats and great blue herons have been spotted passing through the area's hardwood forests.

Now, thanks to an anonymous donation to TNC, Green's Bluff will expand by nearly 83 acres. This means more forest protection for Raccoon Creek, which meanders through the preserve. It also means a larger swath of intact forest for migrating songbirds.

"Green's Bluff has a tremendous array of plants and animals," said Vince Garmon, land protection specialist with TNC. "The preserve is actually two separate properties, and the new acreage connects directly to pieces of existing preserve near the center, providing connectivity inside the preserve. These additional protected acres will help flora and fauna thrive."

Apart from the new addition, TNC has been very busy at Green's Bluff over the past several years. TNC has improved existing trails and added interpretive signage to enhance visitor enjoyment. In October, TNC will unveil a new trail engineered and created by the Hoosier Hikers Council.

"It's a great win, not just for TNC but the entire state of Indiana to have this property," Garmon added. "TNC has done a remarkable job of making acquisitions here over the last five years, making this place a scenic destination for all Hoosiers."

Green's Bluff currently features two hiking trails: the North Loop Trail and Raccoon Woods Trails. North Loop Trail is a 1.2-mile moderate loop trail through the northern section of Green's Bluff. The trail overlooks hemlock bluffs above Raccoon Creek, then descends a steep slope to continue along the face of the bluff down to the creek. This portion of the trail can be quite rugged.

The trail continues along the creek, where a sharp eye may notice the stone foundation of James Green's grist mill from the late 1800s.

Raccoon Woods Trail is a 1.4-mile moderate loop trail through the newer southern section of Green's Bluff. After starting in a clearing where TNC has planted rows of oak trees, the trail winds through deep woods with many mature oak, beech and hickory trees. As it descends into steep ravines, the trail crosses spring-fed creeks. Climbing out of the ravines, it offers views of the forest canopy. At the far end of the loop, the trail rises into an open area where TNC is attracting birds and insects with pollinator plantings.

The North Loop Trail can be rugged, while the Raccoon Woods Trail is more moderate. Interpretive signs can be found along both trails.

Travel directions: From Spencer, take S.R. 46 E. to S.R. 43 S. Continue south on S.R. 43S for about five miles, then turn right on to Sherfield Road. This road comes to a "T" after about a mile. Turn left and go about 0.4 mile to where the road ends. You'll see a Green's Bluff Nature Preserve sign at the trailhead.

To get from the North Loop Trail to the Raccoon Woods Trail, head north on Heddings Rd./C.R. 75E to Sherfield Rd./C.R. 525S. Turn right onto Sherfield Rd./C.R. 525S. Travel one mile and then turn right (south) onto State Road 43S. Travel 1.9 miles and turn right onto E. Porter Ridge Rd./C.R. 675S. Travel about two miles. Parking for Raccoon Woods Trail will be on the right (north) side of the road.

New trail opening

Join TNC and the Hoosier Hikers Council (HHC) on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening of their new trail at Green's Bluff. Described as a five-mile extension to the Raccoon Woods Trail in the southern portion of Green's Bluff, the new trail system will be six miles long and offer views of ephemeral waterfalls, oaks, hickories, ferns, beech and maple trees.

This event is co-hosted by HHC and TNC and will feature special remarks from HHC and TNC leaders about the site and trail, a six-mile or two-mile hike with leaders (your choice), a trail-naming activity and other activities for kids.

Light refreshments will be provided before the hike.

RSVP online at bit.ly/GreensBluffNewTrailOpeningRSVP.

Note: the access and meeting location for this event is NOT a public access area and is only open for this special event.