The St. Clair Lake - Six Mile Lake Natural Area, one of the longest stretches of undeveloped shoreline in the Elk River Watershed, is in the upper portion of an interconnecting chain of lakes, which crosses the Charlevoix-Antrim county border. Sinclair River connects the two lakes.

The protection of this natural area was made possible by the efforts of some dedicated local citizens, calling themselves the St. Clair Lake - Six Mile Lake Natural Area Committee, who initiated the project, raised funds, and prompted the first joint project between the Little Traverse Conservancy and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.

A 17 acre parcel on the west shore of St. Clair Lake and the Sinclair River, was purchased in 1993 protecting over 1800 feet of shoreline. This parcel was dedicated to Lee Alan Lawmaster and is commonly called the Lawmaster Preserve. A 59 acre parcel, dedicated to the Skow family, was added in 1994. The same year, South Arm Township donated 8 acres on the east shore across from the Lawmaster Preserve and in 1995, the Malpass family donated funds to purchase an additional 60 acres, bringing the total to 144 acres protected in the St. Clair Lake - Six Mile Lake Natural Area.

Mink, otter, Great Blue herons, kingfishers, and an occasional bald eagle are a few of the inhabitants of the St. Clair Lake- Six Mile Lake region enjoying the marshes, cedar wetlands, fields, and uplands of this protected natural area.

Directions to the South Arm Township Nature Preserve: From the intersection of M-66 and Ellsworth Road in East Jordan, take Ellsworth road west approximately 4 miles. The preserve entrance is a dirt road on the left hand side.