Other Nature Preserves in the Upper Peninsula


Mackinac County

Easterlin Nature Preserve

Frank and Blanche Easterlin donated this small parcel of land on the northern Lake Michigan shore in Moran Township. In addition to containing wetlands, the parcel is habitat for the federally and state threatened Dwarf Lake Iris.

Boot Island Nature Preserve

Linda Noyes donated this spectacular 77.7 acres in 1993. The parcel is the eastern half of Boot Island which is located near Cedarville, and near the eastern entrance of the Les Cheneaux Islands. Cedar, spruce, fir, and red maple are among the tree species inhabiting this preserve, which has a cobble beach shoreline. Woodpeckers, warblers, and mergansers are among the numerous birds including nesting bald eagles that have been spotted on the property.

Mackinac Bay Nature Preserve

In the first-ever cooperative project among the three conservation organizations working in the Les Cheneaux Islands area, a 22-acre parcel on Mackinac Bay was purchased by Little Traverse Conservancy with technical and financial assistance from the Les Cheneaux Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. The property is located just east of Hessel. The parcel is flourishing with birds and other wildlife. Many unique and interesting species of birds, including the yellowthroat and song sparrow, have been found there. Also known to frequent the property are muskrats, mink, weasel, deer, woodcock, and ruffed grouse. Directions to the Mackinac Bay Nature Preserve: From the Mackinac Bridge follow I-75 North about 14 miles to M-134. Take M-134 East 13 miles to Hessel. Continue east on M-134. The preserve is less than 1/2 mile past Hessel on the right side.

Sheppard-Hardy Nature Preserve

Katherine Sheppard and other members of the Sheppard family donated this 21 acre parcel in 1993. It is the first property on Marquette Island, the largest Island in the Les Cheneaux area, to be donated to the Conservancy. It is located near Cube Point on Wilderness Bay in Lake Huron. Forest, wetland and over 1,000 feet of lake frontage characterize this parcel. Protection of this property preserves the most scenic and undeveloped entrance to the Les Cheneaux islands. In 1995 a 21 acre addition was donated by the Les Cheneaux Foundation.

Tamlyn Nature Preserve

This parcel is located on the north shore of Lake Michigan about four miles west of St. Ignace and consists primarily of wetland. The two acre property has approximately 600 feet of frontage on Lake Michigan and 600 feet on Gros Cap Road. Howard and Marjorie Tamlyn donated this land in 1992.


Chippewa County

Badgley Nature Preserve

This 1/2 acre preserve consists of delicate wetlands surrounding the channel that connects Little Trout Lake with Carp Lake. Located near the 60 acre Muir Woods Preserve, this parcel is part of the property associated with Birch Lodge, a historic lodge that was in operation until 1984. It was donated in 1991 by Anna Badgley.

Muir Woods Nature Preserve

Sixty-five acres of upland hardwood ridges and a ten-acre lake constitute this Upper Peninsula Preserve. The parcel also has about one mile of Carp River frontage as it flows out of Mud Lake. Swamp and other wetlands surround the lake. Wishing to protect the wetlands and provide an area for nature study, Emery Muir donated this property in 1984.

Sugar Island Nature Preserve

This nature preserve is located on the northwest shore of Sugar Island with over 1800 feet of frontage on the St. Mary's River. This 18 acre parcel consists primarily of marsh and other wetland areas. It has been designated an "environmental area" by the Department of Natural Resources under the Shorelands Protection and Management Act. This act mandates the DNR to regulate certain uses and development within sensitive coastal areas for the protection of fish and wildlife. The marshes and wetlands of this preserve protect important habitat for Canada geese, great blue herons, spotted sandpipers and several other bird and animal species. This property was donated to the Conservancy in 1993 by Donald and Margaret Fedrigon, Melbourne and Donna Amo, A. Nelson and Elanor Dingle, Jacob and Jeanne Dunlap, Erich Graff, George and Marlene Green, Robert and Anne Hofmann, and Donald and Jean Thiel.