Michigan's Rare Wetlands (NBAS Nature Study Trails)

Description

Harbor Country Hikers (HCH) will be visiting one of West Michigan’s rare Moist Acidic Sandy Flatwoods during its frozen wintertime period. These forests can be underwater or bone dry, it just depends on when you visit them. Unfortunately, they are endangered because they often fall outside the protection of Michigan’s Wetland Laws. Learn about the different seasons of Michigan’s Flatwoods and what you can find inside that you seldom see anywhere from hike leader Pat Fisher, President of HCH. Be warned, the trail can be icy and/or muddy in the winter so come prepared.
 
The NBAS Nature Study Trails (NST) in combination with the adjacent Turtle Creek Preserve (TCP), a Chikaming Open Lands (COL) preserve, has over 4 miles of trails and 70 acres of forested upland and wetland habitats. Depending on the trails you visit, you will discover a large assortment of native flora and fauna living in harmony with ancient beachheads, wide ravines, streams, a planted prairie, marshes, floodplains, hardwood forests and seasonally wet flatwoods filled with shrub wetlands, pit and mound topology, windblow, vernal pools and rivulets. The trails are maintained by students & staff, volunteers, and the many trail structures have been added by scout members and neighborhood volunteers. The trails are populated with painted rocks, Story walks, a Little Free Library, and are perfect for snowshoeing or cross country skiing for year round fun. These trails combine the schools "NBAS Nature Study Trails," Chikaming Open Lands “Turtle Creek Preserve” and the City of New Buffalo’s “Turtle Pond Nature Preserve,”
 
HCH has an All-Terrain Rollator which may be reserved for use on our hikes. Reservations are made by Emailing harborcountryhikers@gmail.com on a first-come first-served basis. This will be a good hike to try our rollator.
 
Dress in layers, a warm cap, and sturdy boots and bring plenty of water. Depending on the weather, there may be some muddy or icy areas. Light precipitation and hot or cold weather don’t ordinarily lead us to call off hikes, but health-threatening temperature extremes and lightning can be causes for cancellation. In case of inclement weather the day of the hike, check our website, harborcountryhikers.com, or our Facebook page for notice of cancellation or rescheduling.

Theme: Michigan's Rare Wetlands
Venue: NBAS Nature Study Trails
When: Saturday, February 24, 2024 @ 1 PM Eastern
Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes
Hike Leader: Pat Fisher, President HCH
Estimated Time: 2.25 hours
Hiking Distance: 2.0 or 3.0 miles
Physical Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Location: 12291 Lubke Rd, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Parking GPS: 41.78247, -86.757002 (DD)
 
Directions: From US-12 in New Buffalo head south on South Eagle Street, at the second stop sign turn right onto West Detroit Street which turns into Lubke Road at the curve. After the curve, watch for the school on the right. We will gather in the parking lot.