MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP
Southern Floodplain Forest at Warren Woods State Park
With Dr. Scott Warner, Conservation Associate – Botanist
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Saturday May 3, 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Floodplain forests are diverse bottom-land deciduous forests occupying the low-lying areas adjacent to streams and rivers and subject to periodic over-the-bank flooding and cycles of erosion and deposition. The floodplain forest is a broadly defined community type, where species composition and community structure vary regionally along with varying flooding frequency and duration. Acer saccharinum (silver maple) and Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash) are the major over-story dominants. These dynamic forested systems represent an interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Warren Woods State Park is a 311-acre nature preserve in Berrien County. The preserve includes two high quality natural communities. The uplands are an exceptional example of old growth Mesic Southern Forest featuring very large examples of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia). The spring ephemeral wildflowers should be excellent, and we’ll enjoy them as we move to the Southern Floodplain Forest along the Galien River.
The Floodplain Forest is wet and muddy, so rubber boots are recommended. There is a trail through the preserve and a bridge across the river. Hiking will be mostly easy, but in the floodplain forest it will be slow and muddy. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested. The trip difficulty level is rated easy but may be difficult in places.
Dr. Scott Warner is a Berrien County native and a member of the Southwestern Chapter. His interest in plants began while working at a campground as a teenager. He received his BS in Biology from Western Michigan University and his PhD in Plant Biology from Michigan State University. He has been a conservation associate with MNFI since 2021 and instructor of Plant Systematics at MSU since 2023.
Directions: Warren Woods State Park is at 7036 Elm Valley Rd, Three Oaks MI. There is off road parking and vault toilets. From the Kalamazoo area take I-94 west to exit 12 (Shorewood-Tower Hills Harbert). Turn left and head west on Sawyer Rd. In 0.2 miles, turn left (south) on to Three Oaks Rd. In 4 miles, turn right (west) on Elm Valley Rd. In about 0.7 miles, the State Park entrance is on your right. The coordinates are 41.82808404978924, -86.62338235869052.