William Erby Smith Wau-Ke-Na Preserve South - Fennville, Michigan - Public Access Lands on Waymarking.com

Taken from their website:"The preserve is divided into North and South Tracts. Despite a history of farming, the South Tract includes several interesting natural communities: oak-hickory forest, early successional forest, old field, prairie grassland, wet meadow, pond, cattail marsh, and lake-plain prairie. The grasslands provide habitat for significant numbers of grassland birds in decline. The forests are changing dramatically due to the emerald ash borer – the silver lining is that increased sunlight is resulting in greater numbers of wildflowers in the woodlands. Lake-plain prairies are an endangered habitat and extremely rare in west Michigan.
William Erby Smith’s bequest of Wau-Ke-Na (“forest-by-the-water”) is the largest of Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy’s preserves and includes forests, fields, streams, ponds, bluffs, and beaches. Wau-Ke-Na gets its name from the rich forest along the shores of Lake Michigan that makes up the northern tract of the preserve. These woods are home to magnificent specimens of red oak, tulip tree, yellow birch, American beech, sugar maple, hemlock, sassafras, and more. On the southern tract, Mr. Smith spent a great deal of time and resources improving wildlife habitat, creating wetlands, and sowing grasslands. Fields of prairie grasses and wildflowers provide foraging and nesting areas for rare birds like sedge wrens, bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks.

Wau-Ke-Na is a special place for wildlife. Building on Mr. Smith’s efforts, SWMLC continues to create wildlife habitat in the southern tract. On the northern tract, efforts are underway to enhance and expand the beech-maple forest by transitioning the pine plantations to hardwoods, providing better food and shelter for wildlife."

Estimated size of the public land (in regional measurement standard: hectares, acres, kms, etc.): 385 acres Is there a trail system?: Yes If there is a trail system, please describe length, terrain, etc.: 2+ miles through the land that is mowed grass, pretty flat and wet in areas. What points of interest are there?: Forests What activities are available?: Hiking Cross Country Skiing Hours of accessibility?: Dawn to Dusk List of known hazards (cliffs, snakes, poison plants, etc.): None Dogs Allowed?: Yes Is a permit/fee required?: No Please supply the website of the land if available: [Web Link] If a permit/fee is required please describe in detail how to get one, how much, etc.: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Visitors are encouraged to supply a picture of either themselves or their GPS at the trailhead and/or signage of the public access lands - describe your experience there and what you saw - tell us why other folks should come visit!

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   03/13/2020 theHostas visited it