Blackjack Conservation Easement
The Blackjack Conservation Easement covers 9.4 Acres. This property is a diverse mixture of tree species of various age and size including older growth forest, dominated by mature oaks and tulip poplar, many with diameters over 24 inches at breast height. The property also includes a wonderful variety of wildflowers, including the state threatened prairie trillium and a significant population of club moss. The presence of numerous vernal pools, forested wetlands, and an unnamed stream provide an array of habitats for mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates. It is an important stopover and breeding site for many species of birds, including the Long-Eared Owl, Cerulean Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Hooded Warbler, rare birds known to be taking advantage of the adjacent Robinson Preserve just to the east of the property.
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Photo by Linda Anderson
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Photo by Laurie Lindquist |
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The Forty Conservation Easement
Located in Weesaw Township, The Forty Conservation Easement covers 40 acres of agricultural and forested land, which is an important part of the scenic, rural, and natural character of the area. This property is among the best, most productive agricultural areas in Berrien County. Approximately 33 acres is used for growing row crops. In order to preserve the agricultural values, all agriculture activities are subject to a conservation plan prepared by the USDA which is then provided to COL. The forested areas are comprised of two stands located at opposite ends of the property which include a small upland woods dominated by sugar maple, black cherry, and box elder, and a forested wetland with trees in all diameter classes. Pawpaw and spicebush are plentiful in the understory and the state threatened Prairie Trillium is also found here.
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Johnson’s Creek Trail and Flynn Conservation Easements
The Johnson’s Creek Trail and Flynn Conservation Easements combined together cover 71 acres. Both properties contain significant lengths of the Galien River, are heavily forested, and provide prime habitat for the state-threatened Prairie Trillium, numerous bird species, and other wildlife. The properties are a mixture of upland forest, forested ravines, and floodplain forest. The forests are beech/sugar maple mature forests, but are particularly diverse in both tree and ground cover species and there is evidence of a vernal pool. Wooded areas are diverse in species, age class, and structure and attract a wide variety of wildlife species. Orioles, wood thrush, Indigo Bunting, wood ducks, wild turkeys, and various species of woodpeckers, warblers, herons, ducks, hawks, and owls are a few of the birds that have been sighted on the properties. Many species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians also benefit from the diverse habitat and the rural nature of the neighboring properties.
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Photo by Laurie Lindquist |
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Photo by Laurie Lindquist |
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Silent Giants Conservation Easement
The Silent Giants Conservation Easement covers approximately 18 acres of woods and wetlands in Three Oaks Township. Two thirds of the property is considered forested wetland, but it also contains somewhat drier, mesic woods and a nice array of native wildflowers, including the state-threatened Prairie Trillium. This type of forest cover and wetlands are important stopover and breeding sites for many species of birds. The wetlands provide a particularly important habitat for aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic vegetation. Though not directly connected, the property lies between two streams, both tributaries of the Galien River. This conservation easement enhances the ecological value of this corridor in the watershed.
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Riverside Woodland Conservation Easement
The Riverside Woodland Conservation Easement protects approximately 31.3 acres of forest land currently used for recreation and wildlife habitat. There is a wonderful variety of wildflowers, including the state threatened Prairie Trillium. Pileated Woodpeckers, wood ducks, orioles, and wood thrush are all known to nest on site. Evidence of turkeys, owls, and hawks have also been noted. Vernal pools are present on the property. Most notably there is a large area in the center of the property encompassing nearly 3.5 acres that has been identified as a forested wetland in the National Wetlands Inventory. Such areas provide important habitat for aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic vegetation.
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Photo by Jean Brokish
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Louis J. Sima Great Lakes Marsh
In 2002, the Sima Family of New Buffalo donated 156-acres of the Louis J. Sima Great Lakes Marsh, which is located on the Galien River in New Buffalo. This rare and unusually diverse area provides a haven for numerous migrating birds. The land is environmentally significant as one of the few Great Lakes marshes remaining in southwest Michigan. In addition, it is adjacent to the Galien River County Park Preserve which contains upland as well as marshland. A total of approximately 250-acres will be preserved for future generations.
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Jasper Farm Conservation Easement
Mike and Jeanne Jasper created a conservation easement which establishes a permanent riparian buffer preserving over a quarter mile of stream. This 3-acre parcel has both grassland and woodland and is located along Deer Creek. Since Chikaming Open Lands is working with a grant that is tied to the Clean Water Act for this conservation easement, the acreage’s close proximity to Deer Creek was an important factor. Protecting the vegetation in this riparian buffer zone helps naturally filter any runoff from the adjacent field.
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Galien Meadow Conservation Easement
The Galien Meadow Conservation Easement covers 33 acres. The property, owned by Diane DeWitt, was acquired nearly twenty years ago as a place offering solitude and peace for this retired special education teacher. Diane was attracted to the property for its rolling terrain and small pond.
Historically a portion of the property was farmed, then Diane enrolled one of the fields into the Conservation Reserve Program. The permanent grass cover has reduced soil erosion on the steep slopes, and provided wonderful wildlife habitat. Deer, fox, turkeys, and ducks can be found living on the property, as well as a pair of sand hill cranes that live nearby.
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Drier Grove Conservation Easement
In 2004, George and Andrea Platz donated a conservation easement of 10-acres to Chikaming Open Lands. Old growth beech/maple forest is extremely rare statewide and it provides vital habitat to many endangered plant and avian species. This land has significant conservation value and because it abuts Warren Woods and is on a tributary of the Galien River, its value is multiplied several times.
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The Eleanor O’Connor Wilson Woods
In 2001, Chikaming Open Lands completed a purchase and sales agreement with the trustees of the Eleanor O'Connor Wilson Trust to acquire 5-acres of high quality back dune forest. This property has scenic, natural and scientific values of importance to our land trust and to the public. In addition, it contains natural habitat characteristic of a sand dune community in which wildlife and plants, or the ecosystems which support them, thrive in an undisturbed state.
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Mt. Zion Prairie Conservation Easement
The Mt. Zion prairie conservation easement covers 11.7 acres. The property, owned by Daniel Whitman, is part of the Galien Watershed. Though farmed at one time, Dan has planted legumes, prairie forbs, and natural grasses to attract wildlife back to the area.
This bio-diverse property includes a wooded area, wetland, and pond which are likely habitats for at-risk species including Blanchard’s Cricket Frog, the state-threatened Spotted Turtle, and the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. The grassland area provides nesting, brood-rearing, and roosting cover for quail, pheasants, and wild turkeys.
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