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Home Preserving Land Chapman Family Preserve

Chapman Family Preserve

The Property

Chikaming Open Lands (COL) has acquired a 31.3-acre tract of forest, wetland and former agricultural land off Bacon School Road, immediately adjacent to Royalton Nature Trail. This property will be designated as Chapman Family Nature Preserve, permanently protecting this extremely desirable open space in its natural state. Some of the features that make this property special include:

  • Beautiful forested ravines with towering beech, maple and oak trees located along the St. Joseph River.
  • A former agricultural field and vineyard, which COL will restore to a natural habitat in the future.
  • Its location next to an existing protected property, Royalton Township Nature Trail, which will expand a valuable open space corridor in a developed area. These corridors, particularly ones like this that run adjacent to a river system, provide critical habitat for native plants and animals, promoting biodiversity and a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
  • The opportunity to open the property to the public, extending the existing trail system into the new preserve and providing a more expansive space where the community can enjoy the restorative benefits of nature. 

Land corridors like this one, especially those along river systems, are vital for supporting native plants and wildlife. They help maintain biodiversity, protect water quality, and contribute to a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Because this property sits next to the Royalton Township Nature Trail, it also creates exciting opportunities to expand public access—connecting more people to nature while strengthening habitat along the St. Joseph River.


How You Can Help

Thanks to the generosity of landowners Thomas and Eileen Chapman, who offered the land at a significantly reduced price, the property is now permanently protected and will remain natural and undeveloped for generations to come.

While the purchase is complete, COL is continuing to seek donations to support restoration, trail development, and long-term stewardship of the preserve.





No trail map available

No trail guide available

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