Iron Creek Preserve Grand Opening Celebration
2025-06-28 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Iron Creek Preserve, 11703 Noggles Rd, Manchester, MI, 48158
Join Legacy Land Conservancy for the grand opening of Iron Creek Preserve!

We’re excited to celebrate this special occasion with you. Enjoy guided hikes, light refreshments, and a ribbon cutting ceremony as we officially open this beautiful natural space to the community.

Event Address: 11703 Noggles Rd, Manchester, MI 48158
Event Date/Time: Saturday, June 28 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

The event is free and open to all. We’re asking that attendees RSVP by Monday, June 23 so that we can plan accordingly for refreshments and parking. Click here to RSVP
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Parking Info: Iron Creek Preserve’s new six-car parking lot provides plenty of parking based on our anticipated number of average daily visitors. However, we anticipate the available spots may fill up quickly on the day of the grand opening. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, parking is available along the east side of Noggles Rd. Please do not park on the west side of Noggles Rd, as the street is too narrow to allow parking on both sides of the street at the same time.

Volunteer Workday (8/9/25): Remove Invasive Species at Sharon Hills Nature Preserve
2025-08-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Sharon Hills Preserve, Sharon Hills Preserve, Sharon Hollow Rd, Sharon, MI, 48158, United States
Join us to help remove invasive woody species. Volunteers will cut back shrubs to two-inch stumps and help haul cut plant material. Stumps will be treated by Legacy staff to ensure these hardy invasive plants don’t re-sprout in the spring.

Please dress for the weather and in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Pants and closed toe shoes are a must, regardless of the temperature, to protect from poison ivy and getting scratched up while working outside.
Legacy will provide tools and work gloves, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have a pair you like.
Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.
We also suggest you bring bug spray to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks and other biting insects.

Meet at the parking lot on Sharon Hollow Road (between Walker and Washburn Roads), located at Sharon Hollow Rd, Manchester, MI 48158.
Please RSVP by filling out this form.
Questions: Call 734-302-5263 or email volunteer@legacylandconservancy.org

The Nature & History Behind Iron Creek Preserve: A Four-Part Hike Series - Session 1 Recent Past
2025-08-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Iron Creek Preserve, 11703 Noggles Rd, Manchester, MI, 48158
Join us for a rare opportunity to walk the land with Sybil Kolon—longtime steward, storyteller, and donor of the beautiful Iron Creek Preserve.
Experience a four-part guided walk series that travels backward through the layers of human history etched into the landscape.
Over the course of four months (Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, and Nov. 12), Sybil will lead participants on 1.5-mile walks through the preserve, weaving together personal stories, historical accounts, and ecological insights to illuminate how the land has been shaped—and reshaped—by those who’ve called it home.
Session 1 – Recent Past
📅 Wednesday, August 13 | 2-4pm
Discover how Iron Creek Preserve came to be. Explore how the land healed after farming ended, and how hands-off stewardship allowed nature to reclaim space. Witness early impacts and lessons learned.
SIGN UP HERE
What to Expect

Walks are free to attend, but registration is required
Each session lasts ~2 hours and covers ~1.5 miles on trail
Expect uneven terrain; please wear appropriate footwear
Bring water, curiosity, and your love of the land

Project MOW Kick-Off & Sheep Supervision @ Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Preserve (8/17/25)
2025-08-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Lloyd & Mabel Johnson Preserve, 4595 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Interested in getting baaaaaaack to nature with some furry farm friends? Want to explore the intersection of animal husbandry and land stewardship? Volunteer with Legacy Land Conservancy to help maintain a mobile sheep herd that will be eating woody invasive plants on the Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Preserve!
Take part in a week-long volunteer opportunity with Legacy Land Conservancy, supporting Project MOW—a Ypsilanti-based company that uses sheep to manage invasive plants without herbicides! Volunteers will help monitor and care for a mobile sheep herd as they graze woody invasive plants at the Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Preserve
Between Sunday, August 17 and Sunday, August 24, Legacy will be hosting Project MOW and its hungry herd. The sheep will be fenced in around the hedgerow and supervised by volunteers as they browse invasive understory plants. (The’ll be baaaaack in September, but we will have a separate volunteer sign-up for that.)
All volunteers are required to attend the kick-off training on Sunday, August 17 from 10:00 am–12:00 pm at Johnson Preserve. Project MOW staff will lead a session on sheep and pen care, and volunteers will assist in setting up the temporary fencing. At the end of the training, participants will sign up for flexible daily shifts for the week of August 18–24.
Registration is REQUIRED for both the training and the week-long volunteer opportunity. Space is limited, so please register in advance to secure your spot. This event is open to all ages, but participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please RSVP here!

Please dress for the weather and in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Pants and closed-toe shoes are a must, regardless of the temperature, to protect from poison ivy and scratches while working outside.
Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.
We also suggest you bring bug spray to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks and other biting insects.

Meet at Lillie Park South — Johnson Preserve and Lillie Park are connected by a trail. We will convene at the red gazebo located on the eastern edge of Lillie Park South’s parking lot, next to the trail entrance to Johnson Preserve.
Questions? Call 734-302-5263 or email volunteer@legacylandconservancy.org

Volunteer Workday (8/23/25): Remove Invasive Species at Iron Creek Nature Preserve
2025-08-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Iron Creek Preserve, 11703 Noggles Rd, Manchester, MI, 48158
Curious about Legacy’s newest preserve? Want to come help remove invasive species and learn about conservation? Join us to help remove invasive woody species. Volunteers will cut back shrubs to two-inch stumps and help haul cut plant material. Stumps will be treated by Legacy staff to ensure these hardy invasive plants don’t re-sprout in the spring.

Please dress for the weather and in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Pants and closed toe shoes are a must, regardless of the temperature, to protect from poison ivy and getting scratched up while working outside.
Legacy will provide tools and work gloves, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have a pair you like.
Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.
We also suggest you bring bug spray to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks and other biting insects.

Meet at the preserve parking lot located at 11703 Noggles Rd, Manchester, MI 48158
Please RSVP by filling out this form.

Questions: Call 734-302-5263 or email volunteer@legacylandconservancy.org

🎨Conservation Creations: Nature Art at Johnson Preserve
2025-08-24 11:00 - 13:00 | Lloyd & Mabel Johnson Preserve, 4595 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
🎨Conservation Creations
Sunday, August 24 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Nature Preserve
Join us on Sunday, Aug 24th, from 11am–1pm at the Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Nature Preserve for an art experience in nature.
Using found* materials, we will craft beautiful and temporary pieces of art throughout the preserve. While we create art, we’ll discuss conservation and how humans can support the beauty of the world around us.
*Found materials like small sticks, fallen leaves/flowers, pieces of bark from the ground, small rocks, etc.
🌿No experience necessary! This event is informal, collaborative, and open to all ages. Instruction and inspiration will be provided on-site. It’s a great opportunity to connect with nature, get creative, and learn about conservation in a hands-on way.

Dress for the weather and in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Pants and closed-toe shoes are a must, regardless of the temperature, to protect from poison ivy.
We suggest you bring bug spray to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks.
Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.

✅ RSVP here
📍Location: Just north of 4595 Platt Rd., Ann Arbor, MI (south of the south entrance to Lillie Park)
📞 Questions? Call 734-302-5263 or email volunteer@legacylandconservancy.org

🦋Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Nature Preserve Moth Night
2025-08-27 21:00 | Lloyd & Mabel Johnson Preserve, 4595 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
🦋 Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Nature Preserve Moth Night
📅 Wednesday, August 27 | 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
📍 Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Nature Preserve
Join Legacy staff and entomologist David Cappaert on Wednesday, August 27, from 9:00 p.m. to midnight for an exciting night of mothing at Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Nature Preserve! Feel free to arrive 15–30 minutes early to get set up while it is still light out.
We will begin the night with a brief discussion on the importance of moths and why we go mothing. David will set up his moth station consisting of a framed sheet and a light bulb. Most moths are nocturnal and are attracted to the light of the moth station—giving us a unique opportunity to observe the beautiful diversity of moths and other nocturnal insects that call our preserves home!
This event is informal and collaborative. It is open to beginners, and no prior knowledge or experience is necessary.

Please bring a flashlight or headlamp.
Dress for the weather and in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty—dark clothes are best for keeping insects off of you and on the sheets.
Pants and closed-toe shoes are a must, regardless of the temperature, to protect from poison ivy.
We suggest you bring bug spray to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks.

Join us at the sheet! Registration is limited to 15 participants—RSVP here.
📍Meet just north of 4595 Platt Rd., Ann Arbor, MI (south of the south entrance to Lillie Park).
Questions: Call 734-302-5263 or email volunteer@legacylandconservancy.org

The Nature & History Behind Iron Creek Preserve: A Four-Part Hike Series - Session 2 Post World War II
2025-09-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Iron Creek Preserve, 11703 Noggles Rd, Manchester, MI, 48158
Join us for a rare opportunity to walk the land with Sybil Kolon—longtime steward, storyteller, and donor of the beautiful Iron Creek Preserve.
Experience session two of a four-part guided walk series that travels backward through the layers of human history etched into the landscape.
Over the course of four months (Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, and Nov. 12), Sybil will lead participants on 1.5-mile walks through the preserve, weaving together personal stories, historical accounts, and ecological insights to illuminate how the land has been shaped—and reshaped—by those who’ve called it home.
Session 2 – Post World War II
📅 Wednesday, September 10 | 2-4pm
From tractors to tile drains—see how Polish immigrants pursuing the American Dream transformed the land through farming, and how Legacy is working to restore it today.
SIGN UP HERE
What to Expect

Walks are free to attend, but registration is required
Each session lasts ~2 hours and covers ~1.5 miles on trail
Expect uneven terrain; please wear appropriate footwear
Bring water, curiosity, and your love of the land

Volunteer Workday (9/20/25): Remove Invasive Species at Iron Creek Nature Preserve
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | MI

Volunteer Workday (9/27/25): Remove Invasive Species at Johnson Nature Preserve
2025-09-27 10:00 - 14:00 | Lloyd & Mabel Johnson Preserve, 4595 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Join us for a special extended workday to help remove invasive woody species. You are welcome to volunteer during one of the two shifts—10am-12pm or 12pm-2pm—or stay for the full event from 10am to 2pm. We will take a break at noon for water and snacks. Volunteers will cut back shrubs to two-inch stumps and help haul cut plant material. Stumps will be treated by Legacy staff to ensure these hardy invasive plants don’t re-sprout in the spring.

Please dress for the weather and in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Pants and closed toe shoes are a must, regardless of the temperature, to protect from poison ivy and getting scratched up while working outside.
Legacy will provide tools and work gloves, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have a pair you like.
Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.
We also suggest you bring bug spray to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks and other biting insects.

Meet at Lillie Park South at the red gazebo (pavilion # 2) near the east edge of the parking lot, located at 4365 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Please RSVP by filling out this form.
Questions: Call 734-302-5263 or email volunteer@legacylandconservancy.org

The Nature & History Behind Iron Creek Preserve: A Four-Part Hike Series - Session 3 European Settlers
2025-10-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Iron Creek Preserve, 11703 Noggles Rd, Manchester, MI, 48158
Join us for a rare opportunity to walk the land with Sybil Kolon—longtime steward, storyteller, and donor of the beautiful Iron Creek Preserve.
Experience session three of a four-part guided walk series that travels backward through the layers of human history etched into the landscape.
Over the course of four months (Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, and Nov. 12), Sybil will lead participants on 1.5-mile walks through the preserve, weaving together personal stories, historical accounts, and ecological insights to illuminate how the land has been shaped—and reshaped—by those who’ve called it home.
Session 3 – European Settlers
📅 Wednesday, October 8 | 2-4pm
Uncover the story of the Sutton family and other early people who lived this land in the 1800s. We’ll dig into plat maps, local lore, and visible clues in the soil.
SIGN UP HERE
What to Expect

Walks are free to attend, but registration is required
Each session lasts ~2 hours and covers ~1.5 miles on trail
Expect uneven terrain; please wear appropriate footwear
Bring water, curiosity, and your love of the land

Volunteer Workday (10/18/25): Remove Invasive Species at Beckwith Nature Preserve
2025-10-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Beckwith Nature Preserve, Beckwith Preserve 2792 E M 106, Stockbridge, MI, 49285, United States
Join us to help remove invasive woody species. Volunteers will cut back shrubs to two-inch stumps and help haul cut plant material. Stumps will be treated by Legacy staff to ensure these hardy invasive plants don’t re-sprout in the spring.

Please dress for the weather and in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Pants and closed toe shoes are a must, regardless of the temperature, to protect from poison ivy and getting scratched up while working outside.
Legacy will provide tools and work gloves, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have a pair you like.
Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.
We also suggest you bring bug spray to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks and other biting insects.

Meet at the parking lot off M-106 on the east side of Stockbridge, located at 2792 E M 106, Stockbridge, MI 49285.
Please RSVP by filling out this form.
Questions: Call 734-302-5263 or email volunteer@legacylandconservancy.org

Volunteer Workday (11/8/25): Remove Invasive Species at Sharon Hills Nature Preserve
2025-11-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Sharon Hills Preserve, Sharon Hollow Road (between Walker and Washburn Roads), Manchester, MI, 48158, United States

The Nature & History Behind Iron Creek Preserve: A Four-Part Hike Series - Session 4 Glaciers & Early People
2025-11-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Iron Creek Preserve, 11703 Noggles Rd, Manchester, MI, 48158
Join us for a rare opportunity to walk the land with Sybil Kolon—longtime steward, storyteller, and donor of the beautiful Iron Creek Preserve—alongside Silas Bialecki, a lifelong Iron Creek resident and passionate interpreter of natural resources and Indigenous culture.
Experience session four of a four-part guided walk series that travels backward through the layers of human history etched into the landscape.
Over the course of four months (Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, and Nov. 12), Sybil will lead participants on 1.5-mile walks through the preserve, weaving together personal stories, historical accounts, and ecological insights to illuminate how the land has been shaped—and reshaped—by those who’ve called it home.
Session 4 – Glaciers & Early People
📅 Wednesday, November 12 | 2-4pm
Travel back over 10,000 years to when glaciers shaped the land and Paleoindians roamed. We’ll reflect on the deeper human-land connection throughout this period, how the complex relationships of indigenous people, early explorers, and European settlers altered the balance, and the work ahead to restore harmony.
SIGN UP HERE
What to Expect

Walks are free to attend, but registration is required
Each session lasts ~2 hours and covers ~1.5 miles on trail
Expect uneven terrain; please wear appropriate footwear
Bring water, curiosity, and your love of the land
