Chikaming Preserve in Berrien County

Events Calendar

Chikaming Nature Preserve (photo from Chikaming Open Lands)

from a news article at Moody on the Market

Chikaming Township in Berrien County, Michigan, has recently purchased a total of 87 acres to be conbined into a nature preserve. The area is a mix of former agricultural land, forest, and wetland. Over 200 donors contributed to make the acquisition possible.

Chikaming Open Lands (COL) Director Ryan Postema states that over the winter a plan will be developed to create trails and a parking area to make the land more accessible to the public. “This property is desirable. It’s a high-profile location along Three Oaks Road between Sawyer and Three Oaks. And so it’ll be a really great asset to the community," he said. He hopes there will be guided hikes, educational and service opportunities available within a year.

Since its founding in 1999, COL has protected nearly 2,500 acres across Berrien County. Chikaming Open Lands is the local land conservancy dedicated to preserving the open spaces and natural rural character of southwest Berrien County. Their mission is to "protect and restore native plant and animal habitat in the area, improve water quality in our rivers, streams and in Lake Michigan, and permanently preserve ecologically significant forests, prairies and wetlands, as well as prime farmland and other open spaces in this community."



See Chickaming Open Lands


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Check Out Flower Creek Dunes- Montague

Flower Creek shoreline (photo from the Flower Creek website)

complied from various sources

Located near Montague, Michigan, Flower Creek Nature Preserve began with a modest 14 acres in 2002. The preserve now protects 74 acres of what is considered "Critical Dune Habitat." Although the area was logged in the late 1800s, the forest had recovered well by the 1930s. Near the Lake Michgian shore there is open shifting sand while the back dunes are forested.

The endangered Pitcher's Thistle grows there. Eagles, loons, and the endangered piping plover all stop on migratory routes.

As a Class 2 Preserve, most of the area is protected. The 1.2-mile trail has a natural surface and leads to an overlook of Lake Michigan. To reach the trail, you must park a quarter-mile south at Meinert Park (seasonal parking fee), so to reach the overlook and return is about a 3-mile walk.

In August of 2023, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan celebrated adding Flower Creek to the Old-Growth Forest Network. Under the Conservancy, the priority "management of the preserve has focused on protecting the intact open dune and forested dune habitat."

To find Meinert Park and the Preserve, go to 8355 Meinert Park Road, Montague, MI. Exit US 31 Freeway at Fruitvale Rd, go west on B-15 (through several curves) to the end of the road. Location: 43.459034 -86.453969

Pets must be leashed. No bicycles, horses, motorized vehicles, fires, or camping. However, Meinert Park does operate a seasonal campground.

See a map of Flower Creek Nature Preserve


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Stony Creek Nature Preserve Open Near Shelby

Stony Creek Nature Preserve Bobcat Trail (photo from Oceana Conservation)

from Oceana Conservation District

Located just southwest of Shelby, MI, the Stony Creek Nature Preserve is now open to the public. The 40 acres, once owned by the Morse family, were donated to Oceana Conservation District in 2022. Since that time, resource inventory, planning, and trail development have been in progress.

Now the property is open to the public, although not all planned work is completed. The Bobcat Trail, shown on the map above, is approximately 0.8 mile in length. It is on the east side of Stony Creek, and the topography is steep in some places. Foot travel only and pets must be leashed.

A trail will be developed on the west side of the creek, but funds are needed to build a bridge across Stony Creek. Also in the works is an ADA path that will lead from the parking to the creek.

Get Off The Couch has not yet visited this site, but will do a spotlight post at a later date.

There is a great deal of interesting historical information about the family who used this land for several generations at the link below.

Trailhead on Baker Road. Exit US-31 at Shelby and go west on Shelby Rd. In one mile, turn south on 58th Ave which jogs and becomes Johnson, then jogs again and continues south on 56th Avenue. Approximately one mile from Shelby Road, turn west on Baker road, and the trailhead is on the right in less than 1/2 mile. 43.601157, -86.425366



See Stony Creek Nature Preserve

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