A MBC, SW Chapter Field Trip

BUTTERNUT CREEK NATURE SANCTUARY

Saturday, August 26, 2017

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Led by John Bagley

Butternut Creek Nature Sanctuary is owned by Michigan Nature Association (MNA) and protects 154 acres and nearly one-and-a-quarter miles of a wetland corridor along Pipestone Creek.  Much of the sanctuary is high quality southern prairie fen and is a refuge to many state listed plants and animals.  Butternut Creek is immensely beautiful, and as far as prairie fens go, is one of the best in the state for it's floristic value.  Ongoing restoration efforts by MNA have been going on for years. We will walk parts of the sanctuary that have been recently cleared and burned, which should be interesting to see how the sanctuary has responded to these restoration efforts.

John Bagley states: “I have a bachelor of science in physical anthropology from WMU.  After spending 15 years in the corporate world, I was laid off from a job selling industrial packaging in 2008.  I suddenly came across some time to pick back up on a life-long love—education about wildlife and science.  My focus was and is preserving our planet’s biodiversity, and so it was natural that I zeroed in on the Michigan Nature Association as the one organization in Michigan whose mission was exactly this, so I became involved after I was laid off.  I have been involved in some capacity ever since and I am currently the regional stewardship organizer for west Michigan”.

Directions: From Kalamazoo take I-94 West to the Watervliet Exit (Exit 41) and go South on M-140 (about 4.5 mi) to Territorial Rd. Turn left (east) on Territorial (2 mi) to County Line Rd and turn right (south) about 1mi. Once you pass Yund Rd park near where the creek crosses County Lind Rd. There are no signs and you will park on the side of the road. Takes about one hour from Kalamazoo. Carpooling encouraged from the I-94 Mattawan Exit. Dave Wendling will meet you at the park and ride. The car pool will leave at 9:10 AM.