Sycamore Island, River island protected area in Blawnox, US.
Sycamore Island is a 14-acre river island in the Allegheny River covered with floodplain hardwood forest. The habitat supports a variety of native plants and wildlife species.
The Allegheny Land Trust acquired this site in 2008 after it served as a bird sanctuary under Audubon Society protection starting in 1936. The organization continues managing it for conservation.
The Harbor Isle Boat Club left behind a barge and unfinished structures from its 1960s operation on the island. Visitors can still see traces of this period today.
The island is accessible only by boat, so visitors need to arrange transportation in advance and obtain required permits. Plan ahead for the journey and any necessary paperwork.
The island has grown from 6 acres in 1809 to 14 acres today, largely due to river channel shifts and sediment deposits. This expansion demonstrates how river landscapes naturally change over time.
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