Get to Know Woodland Preserve

The Woodland Nature Preserve was anonymously donated to Legacy Land Conservancy in 2002.

This 13-acre preserve is unusual in that the donor stipulated there to be no active management such as trail installations, invasive species removal, or restoration of the land. The site may be used to observe long term change without human disturbance.

Historically, the land consisted of oak-hickory forest to the north and mixed hardwood swamp to the south, given its close proximity to the Huron River. Much of this area was farmed in the recent past. Original dominant tree species like hickories and oaks remain, but the site has been highly modified by humans. There is evidence the forest was cut over the last hundred years allowing more shade-tolerant trees like ash and basswood to fill in. Ground cover in the old field area has been profoundly altered by past livestock and current wildlife browsing.

Without the ability to actively manage the preserve, invasive plant species continue to fill in throughout. Common buckthorn, honeysuckle, and autumn olive are growing in the old field area. Dame’s rocket and garlic mustard are present in the woodland, along the creek corridor, and along field perimeters.