Riseman Refuge with the Polly Ann Trail and Belle River Dryden, MI
Riseman Refuge is ten acres located between the Polly Ann Trail and the Belle River in Dryden Township. The Riseman family memorial sign is on the high spot adjacent to the Lapeer County Polly Ann Trail and will be a nice place for a shady rest stop with an incredible view above the Belle River that borders the property and adjoining wetlands. The Friends of the Polly Ann Trail and Lapeer Land Conservancy are collaborating to develop an educational plan for Riseman Refuge. To arrange a visit or a guided tour contact Peter McCreedy at 810-614-7594.
Sutherland Nature Sanctuary 3960 Diehl Road Metamora, MI 48455
Doris Sutherland bought this property in the 1960's and had trees planted to help nature begin to heal itself after a century of logging and farming. It was formally dedicated as a Nature Sanctuary on Earth Day 1999. The mission of the Sanctuary is to provide education, enjoyment, and outdoor nature experience for the public. For 16 years, the 75 acres has been managed by the Lapeer Land Conservancy as the Sutherland Nature Sanctuary the habitats include: mature oak, hickory, and beech forest (Beech trees are unusual in being this far south in the state), a wet forest with Red and Silver Maples, maturing Spruce, Red and White Pine tracts, cattail marsh, sedge, dogwood, and willow wetland, 2 ponds, a small stream and prairie. With over two miles of walking trails school groups, photographers, hikers, and birders frequently visit the sanctuary. A pavilion includes picnic tables and swing, an outdoor handicap accessible restroom, viewing platforms and benches along the trails provide school field trips, family and group outings with hiking, bird watching, tree identification and springtime frog walks. Volunteers are always welcome to help with our ongoing projects for wetland and meadow restoration and removal of invasive species. Contact Chris Tippen, land steward at 248-627-5815. Directions to Sutherland Nature Center and sanctuary trail map.
Tibbits Nature Sanctuary 4089 Columbiaville Road Columbiaville, MI
The Hilton and Marjorie Tibbits Nature Sanctuary and Land Stewardship Center was established in 1998 with 22 acres given to the Lapeer Land Conservancy and recently the Tibbits family gave 42 more acres. The wetlands once threatened by soil erosion and
chemical contamination are now protected by warm and cool season grass planted on the highland that was once cropland. These grasses now filter the water that runs into the wetlands, headwaters to the Flint River Watershed.
The mission for the sanctuary is to provide land stewardship demonstrations and outdoor education for the public. Mowed trails take visitors around mature spruce forests, younger mixed conifer and hardwood stands, a small lake, two native grass plantings and wetlands provide a safe place for waterfowl migration. If you would like to visit, have a guided tour or help with projects at the Hilton and Marjorie Tibbits Nature Sanctuary. Contact Karen Page, land steward at 810-969-1023 for directions to Tibbits Nature Center and the trail map.
chemical contamination are now protected by warm and cool season grass planted on the highland that was once cropland. These grasses now filter the water that runs into the wetlands, headwaters to the Flint River Watershed.
The mission for the sanctuary is to provide land stewardship demonstrations and outdoor education for the public. Mowed trails take visitors around mature spruce forests, younger mixed conifer and hardwood stands, a small lake, two native grass plantings and wetlands provide a safe place for waterfowl migration. If you would like to visit, have a guided tour or help with projects at the Hilton and Marjorie Tibbits Nature Sanctuary. Contact Karen Page, land steward at 810-969-1023 for directions to Tibbits Nature Center and the trail map.
