| The
Washtenaw Land Trust owns 139 acres in four nature preserves
that are open to the public for quiet recreational uses such
as hiking, bird-watching, cross-country skiing and nature study.
Removal of plant material, hunting and overnight use are not
currently permitted. The current preserves were all donated
to the land trust, but WLT also occasionally considers the purchase
of land for nature preserves.
WLT
manages and monitors its nature preserves to ensure their
ecological values are maintained.
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| Beckwith
Conservancy |
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This
sometimes involves active stewardship to enhance biological
diversity, restore wildlife habitat and remove invasive species.
Stewardship of the land is a responsibility that we take seriously,
and we invite you to help us in our activities - check the
events calendar
for scheduled activities.
Visit
the Nature Preserves! Directions
and map (pdf)
You can print this map and take it with you. (This document
requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free downloadable product,
available here.)
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Creekshead
Nature Preserve
This
27-acre natural area contains wooded wetland, mature beech-maple-basswood
forest and spectacular Spring wildflower blooms. It's so named
for the fact that it is located in the headwaters area of
both Johnson Creek, in the Rouge River watershed, and Nelson
Creek, in the Huron River watershed.
To visit: Creekshead is just northeast of Ann Arbor
in Salem Township, on Curtis Road between Brookville and Five
Mile Roads. Park along the west side of the road in front
of the woods and please watch for traffic.
Directions
and map (pdf)
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| The
peace and relaxation of being surrounded by big trees at Creekshead
Nature Preserve. |
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Beckwith
Conservancy
Located
in the Village of Stockbridge, this 30-acre nature preserve
contains mature pine and spruce forest, deciduous forest,
wooded wetland and over 800 feet of frontage on Portage Creek.
A diverse mix of spring wildflowers are gradually returning
to the property through the removal of invasive species like
garlic mustard, buckthorn and honeysuckle.
To visit: Beckwith is located in the Village of Stockbridge
at the end of Maple Street. Park along the north side of M-106
just east of Maple Street, at the east end of the woods. Walk
along the woods edge to the trailhead near the southeast corner
of the preserve.
Directions
and map (pdf)
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Portage
Creek in the Beckwith Conservancy in the Village of Stockbridge.
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| No,
we didn't lose something! Volunteers searched for and removed
garlic mustard in May 2001 at the Beckwith Conservancy. |
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| Sharon
Hills Preserve |
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Sharon
Hills Preserve - Located in the Sharon Short Hills region of
Washtenaw County, this 67-acre natural area contains oak-hickory
forest, kettle wetlands, open fields and remnant oak savanna.
Its spectacular topography makes for exciting cross-country
skiing, and reveals impressive views of the surrounding area.
To visit: Sharon Hills is southwest of Ann Arbor in Sharon
Township, on Sharon Hollow Road between Walker and Washburn
Roads. From I-94, exit onto M-52 adn go south to Grass Lake
Road, go west to Sharon Hollow Road, and go south two miles.
Look for the Land Trust signs on the east side of the road and
park in the grassy parking area.
Directions
and map (pdf)
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| Big
climbing hills at WLT's Sharon Hills Preserve |
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| The
spectacular view from the high point at the Sharon Hills Preserve |
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Read
why the Lairds donated their land |
| Visit
the Nature Preserves! Directions
and map |
Photos
by Barry Lonik |
