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This site celebrates the Whitmore Lake Preserve in Washtenaw County, Michigan. The preserve entrance is on 7-mile Road west of Spencer Road.

The preserve includes 235 acres and was acquired as part of the Washtenaw County Natural Areas Preservation Program (NAPP) that purchases and preserves unique natural areas for the benefit of the people and ecosystems of Washtenaw County. NAPP partners with the Ann Arbor Greenbelt, the Nature Conservancy and other organizations. The preserve is owned and maintained by the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.

119 of the preserve's 235 acres are protected wetland, a status that spills over into much of the adjacent property, especially in the four adjacent parcels to the southwest of the preserve (see map). Land for the preserve was purchased in 2013. There are 3 miles of trails (one way) through meadows, mixed hardwood forest, and wooded wetlands, with scenic views over a large marsh and small lakes.

No hunting, vehicles, bicycles, dogs, fires or camping are allowed in the preserve, so it is a wonderful place to simply walk and experience the natural setting. It is also excellent spot for bird watching.

Controlled burns are used in the preserve to encourage the restoration of the native habitat. In addition, clean-up efforts are underway to remove debris left from the site's previous use.

The preserve is one of many in Washtenaw County (see map of them all). See the e-Washtenaw site for official details and the 12-16-2015 Planning Commission meeting information about the preserve.

Whitmore Lake Preserve. Photo by Craig Wagner (March 2017).

Lawton Lake. About half of Lawton lake is in the Whitmore Lake Preserve. Photo by UnagiUnagi.