SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP
Palmer Memorial Nature Sanctuary
With MNA Steward Dan Burton
Saturday June 3, 2023, 10 AM to Noon
Michigan Nature Association’s Edwin and Margarita Palmer Memorial Nature Sanctuary protects 22-acres of high-quality prairie fen at the headwaters of the East Branch of the Paw Paw River. Edwin Palmer was a popular pastor at the Peoples Church in Kalamazoo from 1930s-1950s and acquired the property for family recreation in the 1940s. Their children donated the wetlands in 1988 forever protecting this ecologically rich wetland habitat.
The sanctuary access is restricted due to the sensitive, high-quality prairie fen habitat harboring over 200 recorded flora and fauna species including many rare plants, herps, and insects. Hanes’ historic Flora of Kalamazoo County lists over 190 species collected around Paw Paw Lake. Noteworthy early June flora species we may encounter during our visit include the Showy Lady Slipper (Cypripedium reginae) and Tall White Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatate). Michigan Flora shows both were collected in the area back on 6/11/1936 and still show up periodically.
The sanctuary borders the eastern end of Paw Paw Lake (Kalamazoo County) and plays an important role in the health of the lake and headwater region. Habitats to explore include the lakeshore’s emergent marsh while listening for the metallic clicking call of the state threatened Blanchard’s Cricket frog. We may also wander the wet sedge meadows, scrub shrub, inundated flats, and wetland forests in search of botanical bounty. There are no trails, so our path will be dictated by interest, what is blooming and may include some ongoing areas of stewardship.
Wear rubber boots or expect to get your feet wet. There may be ticks at this time of year and the fen has poison sumac. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested. The trip difficulty level is rated moderate. If you have a sturdy walking stick, bring it.
MNA steward, Dan Burton, will guide the trip and is an aspiring naturalist, curious community scientists and volunteer steward of natural lands and waters. He is a certified conservation steward and master naturalist stewarding two MNA prairie fens since 2016. He is a Two Rivers Coalition board member and a member of SWMLC’s volunteer land protection team.
Directions from the Kalamazoo area take US 131 south to W U Ave and turn right (west). Proceed 4.5 miles to S 4th St and turn right (north). Proceed 1 mile and turn left on Paw Paw Lake Dr. Proceed 0.7 miles and the sanctuary is on your left. The address is 10740 Paw Paw Lake Dr, Schoolcraft, MI.
Learn more about the ecologically valuable habitat in the headwaters of the East Branch of the Paw Paw River through this Story Map: East Branch of the Paw Paw River Watershed (arcgis.com).