Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve

This special upland habitat, located in the middle of Monroe Lake, adds to the largest contiguous forest block in Indiana, connecting to the beloved Brown County Hills forest and providing important habitat for raptors and other birds. Monroe Lake is designated an “Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society. Sycamore’s work here to protect and restore habitat will prove useful for biodiversity, clean water, and environmental education. This nature preserve is located on the former site of the IU Alumni Association’s Shawnee Bluffs camp. 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.

County: Monroe Features: 1.7 miles of lake frontage on Lake Monroe, the largest inland lake in the state; habitat for red-shouldered hawks, broad-winged hawks, and eastern box turtles; thick upland hardwood forest.

Acres: 48 Trail: 2.2 miles total (1.1 each way) built by the Hoosier Hikers Council and utilizing an old road. Moderately rugged and rocky.

Directions to the Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve The preserve is located on Rush Ridge Road, off of State Road 446. From 3rd Street in Bloomington, head south on State Road 446 -Just before you get to the causeway and a bit after you pass the entrance to Paynetown, turn left onto -Rush Ridge Rd -Be careful when turning left, as visibility from oncoming traffic isn’t great -Drive slowly through Rush Ridge Rd, taking a left at the fork -Pass the gated driveway and you will see a Sycamore sign next to our parking lot -Turn right into the parking lot -Do not park on the road; parking is only available in the parking lot