Michigan Botanical Society,

Southwestern Chapter

The Southwestern Chapter, based in Kalamazoo, serves amateur and professional botanists and nature enthusiasts in the southwest corner of Michigan.

Sibley Prairie

Jeff Vornhagen

Save Sibley Prairie Coalition

Monday November 16, 2026 @ 7:00 PM (Socializing begins at 6:30)

Western Michigan University, 2708 Wood Hall, 1903 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Sibley Prairie is a 440-acre parcel located in Brownstown Township, Wayne County, that contains a globally rare ecosystem referred to as Lakeplain Prairie of which less than 1% remains in Michigan. The Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) has identified it as the highest-quality Lakeplain prairie remnant in the state, and it boasts a very high Floristic Quality Index of 69.95 and supports 15 threatened or special concern plant species, as well as the state-threatened Duke’s skipper butterfly. Sibley Prairie is a rare and spectacular example of Michigan’s natural heritage that we need to preserve for future generations.

During the presentation, Jeff will:

Provide background and history on the Sibley Prairie property and the larger Sibley Road Prairie complex.
Discuss the unique geological conditions that created Lakeplain prairie.
Discuss some of the threatened and state concern plant species associated with the site.
Provide context of the Sibley Prairie property in relation to other Lakeplain prairie sites and the larger Oak Openings region extending from Northwest Ohio into Southeast Michigan.
Discuss its significance as a resource both for its ecological rarity and proximity to a major urban area.
Provide an update on the efforts to raise funds to purchase the 440 acre parcel by the end of 2026 by the Save Sibley Prairie Coalition.
Provide information on the Michigan Botanical Society’s Conservation Advocacy Committee, as its Chair.

Jeff Vornhagen is chair of the Sibley Prairie Fundraising Committee and chair of the Michigan Botanical Society’s Conservation Advocacy Committee (CAC).

Jeff has a BS in Natural Resources (BSNR) from the University of Michigan. He also has a BS in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), also from the University of Michigan. During his career, he has been involved in Project Engineering for Hazardous Waste Remediation projects (i.e. Superfund sites) throughout the U.S. He was later involved in the field of energy efficiency in use of electric motors in industrial and commercial applications. He has been a member of the Michigan Botanical Society for close to ten years. He has been a steward for natural areas preservation sites in Ann Arbor. Since retiring recently, he has been the statewide Liaison to the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) for MBS, Chair of the CAC for MBS, Director-at-Large for HVC and Chair of the Sibley Prairie Fundraising Committee as an MBS member of the Save Sibley Prairie Coalition. He maintains the Advocacy Corner on the statewide MBS website. He lives in the Ann Arbor area.

All indoor programs are at Western Michigan University, 2708 Wood Hall, 1903 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49009. Socializing begins at 6:30 pm and the programs begin at 7:00 pm. Non-members are always welcome to join us for programs and field trips.