Other Nature Preserves in Emmet County

Bartley Nature Preserve
This preserve, donated to the Conservancy in 1985 by John and Jane Bartley, is a .8 acre parcel scattered with young conifer trees. The Bartley Preserve, part of the Gateway to Harbor Project, borders the Schachinger Preserve and has 125 feet of frontage on M-119.


S.A. Bissell Nature Preserve
This preserve, which adjoins the A.C.Fishcer Preserve, is a three and a half acre triangular shaped parcel at the intersection of Beach and Bridge Roads. It consists mainly of cedar swamp with some upland woods.


Bryan Nature Preserve
Eighty acres of wooded wetland dominated by tag alder and black ash with scattered white birch and quaking aspen make up the Bryan Wildlife Sanctuary. Located within 300 yards of Douglas Lake, this swamp aids in maintaining the water quality of the lake and also provides excellent habitat for many plants and animals. Mr. and Mrs. Garth P. Bryan and Mr. and Mrs. Garth M. Bryan donated the property in 1984.


Krapohl (Access to Bryan Wildlife Preserve)

This small parcel, donated to the Conservancy by Warren and Beverly Krapohl, provides access to the Bryan Wildlife Preserve, which is located a few miles east of Pellston near Douglas Lake.


Burley Nature Preserve
Jack and Jacqueline Burley donated this 2 1/2 acre parcel in 1985. They wished to protect the natural beauty along the Gateway to Harbor. Like several other preserves in this area, the Burley Preserve is a densely wooded cedar swamp with some upland woods.


Joseph Clements Nature Preserve
Almost 16 acres of hardwood forest including maple, beech, birch, ash, and hemlock make up this preserve located two miles southeast of Alanson. The parcel provides wildlife habitat and offers a splendid view of Crooked Lake. Forrest Clements wished to preserve the natural beauty of the forest and left the property to the Conservancy in his will.

This preserve, which borders Resort Pike and Lake Grove Road near the north arm of Walloon Lake, spans 62 acres of diverse habitat including woodlands, rolling hills, a wetland and meadow. These diverse habitats provide a haven for a variety of plants and animals. Mrs. Dorothy Covert donated the preserve in December of 1980, in memory of her husband, Harold Covert.


Edwards Nature Preserve

Donated in 1987 by Herbert and Lorraine Edwards, this long, narrow strip of land is located below the bluff on Lower Shore Drive in West Traverse township, three miles west of the city of Harbor Springs. This parcel is directly across from Thorne Swift Nature Preserve helping to maintain the natural character of the land.


Enje Nkweshdat Wat Nature Preserve

Donated in 1991 by Sarah McPharlin, this parcel is located 3/4 miles southwest of Cross Village on M-119. The rolling, wooded terrain, occupied by American beech, white birch and other hardwoods, provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. This 35 acre preserve contributes to the M-119 scenic corridor and provides habitat protection and open space in an area experiencing development.


Fairbairn Nature Preserve

Like other preserves in this area, the five-acre Fairbairn parcel consists of upland hardwoods and a cedar swamp. It is located next to the A.C. Fischer Preserve, increasing the wetland acreage and wildlife habitat in the area. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Fairbairn, Sr. donated this piece of land in January of 1985.


A.C. Fischer Nature Preserve

The Fischer Preserve, donated in 1972 by Mrs. C.G. Fischer, is the first parcel donated to LTC and the first Gateway to Harbor Preserve. Located along Beach Road in Harbor Springs, these fifty acres of conifer lowlands and swampy areas make an ideal home for a variety of plant and animal species.


Fisk Nature Preserve

This preserve contains two parcels. The five acre parcel, located below a bluff, is adjacent to the Burley Preserve on the west and the Fischer on the south. The .4 acre parcel borders the north side of M-119. The Fisk Nature Preserve was donated in 1980 by Margaret Fisk.

Goldman Nature Preserve

This 3 acre property is a thick cedar swamp. Along with the nearby Fischer Preserve, and other LTC preserves, the Goldman preserve further protects the large span of wetland along Beach Road. Mr. and Mrs. Max Goldman Sr. and J. Goldman III donated the land to LTC in 1983.


Dan and Ruby James Nature Preserve

Two acres of thick cedar swamp with a stream flowing across the property constitute the James Preserve. It has 800 feet of frontage on the south side of Beach Road in Harbor Springs. Many spring wildflowers abound here. Dan and Ruby James donated this parcel to LTC in 1984.


Elmer Johnston Nature Preserve

Once tilled farmland and more recently used for pasture, the 220-acre Johnston Preserve boasts a rolling hardwood forest and meadowland. Beech, sugar maple, and red oak dominate the hardwood forest while field grasses, wildflowers and shrubs grow in the meadow. The varying habitats provide a haven for deer, squirrels, porcupines, fox, red-tailed hawks plus many other birds and animals. The hilltops offer a magnificent view of Lake Michigan and Beaver Island. Mrs. Elmer Johnston donated this property in memory of her husband in June of 1982.

Directions to Johnston Nature Preserve: From Harbor Springs take M-119 11 miles north to Good Hart. Turn right on Robinson Rd. Go approximately 3/4 mile to Church Rd. and turn left. Go north about 1/2 mile. The Johnston Preserve is on the right side of the road.


Kramer Nature Preserve

This 2 acre parcel of primarily wetland is adjacent to the Menonaqua Woods Preserve located along Beach Road and M-119 in Harbor Springs. This cedar swamp provides wildlife habitat and adds to the water filtering capacity of the Menonaqua Woods Preserve wetlands. It was donated to the Conservancy in 1993 by the Elizabeth Kramer Trust.

Leslie Nature Preserve

A mixed conifer-deciduous forest and cedar swamp make up the five-acre Leslie Preserve, located between Glenn Drive and 2nd Street in Harbor Springs. A stream, fed by underground springs, runs through the property eventually spilling into Lake Michigan. The preserve was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Leslie. This preserve provides wildlife habitat in an area facing rapid development.


MacDonald Scenic Preserve

Once farmland, this 14 acre preserve borders Clayton Road and M-119, protecting 1320 feet along this scenic corridor. Murray and Catherine MacDonald donated this parcel in December of 1990. The former Scotch Pine plantation on the property has being replanted with native species to re-establish a natural forest.

Meadowgate Nature Preserve

Joining the Sanford preserve on its western border, Meadowgate is a ten acre preserve located along M-119 four and a half miles from US 31. This preserve is mainly a large open meadow functioning as a greenbelt along M-119. William Fischer, Lois and Elmer DeSimple, and JoAnn and Charles Donnelly donated the property in 1978.


Menonaqua Woods

This parcel is the largest of the Gateway to Harbor preserves and spans 100 acres on both sides of Beach Road near M-119. The Menonaqua Corporation obtained ownership in the 1930s and donated the property to LTC in 1977. The steep terrain consists of a sand dune ecosystem with a dense forest of beech, maple and hemlock, a cedar swamp, and many lowland plant species including numerous wildflowers.


Morley Nature Preserve

Dr. and Mrs. Marshall Morley donated this property to LTC in 1980. The preserve is two and a half acres and its southern boundary joins the Fischer preserve. It is part of a large hardwood-conifer swamp with rich soil and thick vegetation acting as a water filter and helping to maintain a constant groundwater supply.


Orchis Fen Nature Preserve

Once locally known as Kruzel’s Bog, this 38 acre fen, much like a bog but with a stream flowing through it, provides important wetland habitat and significant plant diversity. A thick, lush forest of cedar, tamarack, and black spruce surround the sphagnum moss and sedge mat of the site. Pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts, Labrador tea, and at least 19 species of orchids are among the many plant species found here. The University of Michigan Biological Station has used this fen as a teaching site since 1964. Little Traverse Conservancy acquired ownership of this property in June of 1984 after jointly purchasing it with the Nature Conservancy in November of 1983.


Ponshewaing Nature Preserve

Covering five acres of wetland with approximately 315 feet of frontage on US 31 and 315 feet of frontage on Crooked Lake, the Ponshewaing Preserve serves as a greenbelt for the highway and lake. Steven and Martha Shuman, James and Mary Wimer and William and Janet Maile donated this property to LTC in December of 1989.


Raunecker Nature Preserve

This preserve was donated to LTC by the Naas and Mauger families in memory of Richard H. and Lydia Naas Raunecker. Forty acres of cedar swamp, plus a flowing well and pond located on the western portion, characterize this preserve. These wetlands, located between 2nd and 4th street in Harbor Springs, provide shelter for numerous birds, other animals, and a diversity of plant life. They also filter nutrients and sediments from runoff aiding in water quality protection.

Directions to Raunecker Nature Preserve: From downtown Harbor Springs take Main St. west to Traverse St. and turn right. Follow Traverse St. north to Fourth St. and turn left. Follow fourth St. to Bull Moose Hill. The Preserve is on the left side.


Rockwell Nature Preserve

Jerrie and Martha Rockwell donated this parcel in 1981. This preserve is primarily a hardwood-conifer swamp with wet mucky soil and lush vegetation. This six-acre triangular shaped piece of land, located near M-119, is one of the Gateway to Harbor Preserves.


Rocky Point/Crooked Lake Nature Preserve

Accessible only by boat, this 27 acre preserve is predominately cedar swamp consisting of northern white cedar and balsam fir. It has 2,000 feet of frontage on Crooked Lake, its shoreline being rocky and marsh-like. This wetland acts as a nutrient filter and water level buffer, aiding in water quality protection of the lake, and also provides important wildlife habitat. The Conservancy purchased this parcel from the estate of the late Aileen Marshall in 1986 to preserve the valuable wetland and lake frontage.


Sandford Nature Preserve

This one acre preserve was donated to LTC in 1978 by Carolyn and Robert Sandford. The preserve consists of sugar maple and beech trees, with ferns and woodland wildflowers.


Schachinger Nature Preserve

Two parcels totaling 4 acres that were donated by John and Helen Schachinger. Lying just outside the Harbor Springs City limits between M-119 and Pennsylvania Avenue, this preserve provides a place of natural beauty and wildlife habitat amid surrounding development.


Shumway Nature Preserve

This flat, wooded parcel was donated to the Conservancy in 1991 by Frank and Catherine Shumway. Located at the foot of a bluff on Beach Road.


Shurtleff Scenic Preserve

Located between M-119 and Lower Shore Drive in Cross Village, this .4 acre preserve is situated on a bluff offering a magnificent view of Lake Michigan and Sturgeon Bay. Mary Shurtleff, wanting to establish a scenic outlook among the growing development in the area, donated this property, part of her father’s estate, in 1977.


Sims-Moffat Forest Preserve

This preserve, located near Levering, is primarily upland hardwoods including maple, beech, basswood, and yellow birch with a 17 acre red pine plantation on its northern end. The property, which is listed under the Commercial Forest Act has been managed to produce commercial lumber and will continue to be managed in the same fashion by the Conservancy. This parcel was donated in 1986 by Mrs. Marion Moffat.


South Round Lake Nature Preserve

LTC purchased this land in 1991 with funds from a generous gift from a family foundation in Ohio and with a gift of interest in the land from the seller. It consists of six acres of wetlands with frontage on Round Lake and is recognized by the Michigan Loon Preservation Association as habitat for the endangered common loon.


Weimer’s Lake Nature Preserve

Elizabeth Kennedy donated this 12 acre parcel in 1987. A lake and hemlock grove characterize this preserve which is adjacent to Thorne Swift Nature Preserve. The preserve adds additional wildlife habitat and water quality protection in an area undergoing rapid development.

Walter Fisher Family Nature Preserve

The Walter Fisher family donated a beautiful 41-acre nature preserve two miles north of Cross Village. Forested sand dunes with oak, maple, birch, pine and hemlock trees give way to a fragile sand bluff with a quarter mile of frontage on Lake Michgan. The development rights to this property were purchased by the State of Michigan in the first transaction of its kind ever completed in Michigan. The remainder interest was donated to the Conservancy in 1995.

West Wequetonsing Nature Preserve Also part of the Gateway to Harbor Project, the West Wequestonsing Preserve is located between Ottawa Stadium and Pennsylvania Avenue. This preserve was given to LTC in 1973 by Jean and Janell Everest. The property was first leased to LTC and acquired later with the help of the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Once adjacent to the Carey Lumber Mill, but left undisturbed during the lumbering era, the West Wequetonsing Nature Preserve is now bordered by school and City property.