MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP
Wilkie Memorial Nature Plant Preserve and Adjacent Private Wetlands
With MNA Steward Dan Burton
Saturday July 8, 2023, 10 AM to Noon
Michigan Nature Association’s John Wilkie Memorial Plant Preserve protects 3.6 acres of high-quality prairie fen at the headwaters of the East Branch of the Paw Paw River. It is part of a larger 30+ acre wetland complex that borders the northern edge of Paw Paw Lake (Kalamazoo County). It is named in honor of John W. Wilkie, a noted Lepidopteran photographer and MNA supporter.
The sanctuary access is restricted due to the sensitive, high-quality prairie fen habitat harboring over 120 documented 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. Our visit will coincide with a nice display of the state special concern (S3) Tuberous Indian Plantain (Arnoglossum plantagineum) noted as frequent by the Hanes nearly a hundred years ago. Other flora species noted in early July include Grass Pink (Calopogon tuberosus), White Camas (Anticlea elegans), Kalm’s lobelia (Lobelia kalmii), and False Asphodel (Triantha glutinosa).
We will have access to the MNA preserve and much of the adjacent prairie fen habitats to explore including its marl flats with their insect eating pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea) and sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), sweeping wet sedge meadows, a little lakeshore, stream side emergent marsh, scrub shrub, and wetland forests. 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 1.3 miles and the sanctuary easement access is on your left just east of 10374 Paw Paw Lake Dr, Mattawan, MI. Parking is on the roadside shoulder.
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).