Newaygo County is home to several nature preserves that are not only beautiful but also house unique ecological resources. These preserves are vital for protecting the natural habitats and species found within them. Learn how you can enjoy these unique environments as well as how you can get involved with supporting these special places.

• Brooks Oak Pine Barrens Nature Sanctuary: The 40-acre Brooks Oak Pine Barrens Nature Sanctuary was purchased in 2019 with funding from a Karner blue butterfly mitigation grant awarded to MNA by The Conservation Fund and with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The natural communities found at Brooks Nature Sanctuary range from dry sand prairie to dry-mesic forest with the central 18 acres containing sparsely scattered trees being more indicative of a southern short-grass savanna community. The sanctuary occurs in an area that has been identified as a sub-population management unit for the Karner Blue Butterfly by the Huron-Manistee National Forest and this landscape is also utilized by numerous other rare savanna-oriented species.

•  

• Coolbough Nature Areas:  Coolbough has many options for hiking loops in its 400 acres: The Wetland Loop including the Old Rail trail (1.87 miles), Cathedral Pines Loop (.67 miles), Prairie Loop (1.29 miles) and Valley of the Ants (.47 miles) all have points of interest, unique plants, and different ecosystems. These trails can be mixed and matched depending on your interests and stamina. The trails also connect with the North Country Trail for those who want a longer hike than a couple of hours. Maps are posted, especially at intersections, to keep you on the correct trail and numbered markers to tell you about interesting details.

•  

• Ensley Township Nature Preserve: This preserve is located at 6985 136th St, Sand Lake, MI. It is a 40-acre preserve that offers a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, bird watching, and fishing. The preserve has a trail system that is open to the public year-round.

•  

• Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary: The Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary is home to more than 100 different plant and animal species. Red oak, white oak, and white pine are the dominant trees in the barrens. Stunning yellow prickly pear cactus blooms throughout the prairies, along with wild blue lupine, puccoon, and doited horsemint. This 95-acre sanctuary is made of a combination of sand prairie, oak-pine barrens, rich conifer swamp, tamarack swamp, northern fen, oak-pine barrens, and emergent wetlands

•  

• Newaygo Prairie Nature Sanctuary: This sanctuary is located at 5600-5998 S Poplar Ave, Newaygo, MI. It is a 110-acre prairie sanctuary that was purchased by the Michigan Nature Association in 1969. The sanctuary is composed of oak and pine barrens and is home to many high-quality natural features in need of protection.

•  

• McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve: This preserve is located in the Pere Marquette River Watershed in Newaygo County. The Land Conservancy of West Michigan has the chance to protect 300 acres in Newaygo County and create the McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve: a forested, riverside oasis open to public exploration! The property is home to many high-quality natural features in need of protection as well as degraded habitat in need of restoration.

•  

• Sailors Pines-Old Growth Preserve:  At Sailors Pines, you can still take a walk through an old-growth forest in the lower peninsula. The last wave of the lumber era was passing in the 1920’s in mid-Michigan. You can pull into the trees and park. You can walk just a few yards in and will be surrounded by enormous old Michigan white pine trees. Many are more than 30″ in diameter and several are more than 100′ tall. Wander along the path for a bit longer and feel yourself transported to a quieter time and a less hurried pace. If you bring a picnic lunch, you can pause long enough for your inner self to slow down, and become quiet enough to hear the winds whispering in the pines, hear deer walking nearby, and glimpse wild turkeys foraging.

•  

• Upriver Nature Preserve: This preserve is located at 13113 N. Walnut Avenue, Bitely, MI 49309. It protects 5,321 feet of frontage on the Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette River, and it is the first Land Conservancy-owned property to allow public access to the famed river. It boasts a 2.2-mile trail that weaves through the preserve’s diverse landscapes that support a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. (See Trail Map)

These nature preserves in Newaygo County are not only beautiful places to visit, but they also play a crucial role in protecting and conserving our natural resources. They provide habitat for rare and endangered species, support diverse plant communities, and offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and education. By supporting and visiting these preserves, we can contribute to conservation efforts and ensure that these ecological resources are preserved for future generations.

So, if you’re in Newaygo County, don’t miss the opportunity to explore these unique nature preserves and witness the incredible ecological resources they offer. Whether you’re a nature lover, a birdwatcher, or simply looking for a peaceful escape into nature, these preserves have something for everyone. Let’s appreciate and protect these natural treasures for the benefit of both the environment and ourselves. 

Contact NCEC if you would like to be a part of a native preserve maintenance team that would help on work days in the field in these special Newaygo environments.