MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP
Dry Mesic Prairies in St Joseph County
Dr. Scott Warner
Conservation Associate - Botanist
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Saturday July 4, 2026, 10am to noon
Dry-mesic prairie is a native grassland community that occurred in association with historic oak openings throughout much of southern Lower Michigan. Very little prairie remains in Michigan and St Joseph County has a few sites with a portion of the flora still intact.
We’ll start this trip at the Michigan Nature Association’s Sauk Indian Trail Prairie Plant Preserve and if time permits, we may be able to visit some additional sites in the vicinity
The Sauk Indian Trail Preserve is an unplowed remnant of an oak opening community with woody species typical of oak savanna, including hazelnut (Corylus americana) black oak (Quercus velutina) and bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). Prairie wildflowers include butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), yellow coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), round-headed bush clover (Lespedeza capitata), Virginia mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)and Solomon seal (Polygonatum biflorum). Native prairie grasses include big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans).
Level ground makes this a very easy walk. Mosquito repellent and/or netting, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested.
Dr. Scott Warner grew up in Berrien County and became interested in plants 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 a member of the Southwestern Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society.
Directions: The approximate address is 69000 Shimmel Rd, Sturgis MI. From Kalamazoo take US-131 south. South of Constantine MI, turn left (east) on US-12 (West Chicago Rd). In about 8.1 miles, the preserve is at the corner of Chicago Rd and Shimmel Rd. There is small parking lot on Shimmel Rd. The coordinates are: 41.79400897846449, -85.50706030909025.