WE’RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR 29TH NATURE PRESERVE!
The new Cotton Family Preserve is located in Deerfield Township, Isabella County. This 3.5 acre preserve is located along the north side of Wing Road, approximately one-third mile east of Vandecar Road. Access to the property and roadside parking are available along Wing Road.
The south half of the property consists of a closed canopy forest of mostly sugar maple, with scattered cherry, birch, pine, and other species. Much of the north half of property consists of a wetlands, including a half-acre pond in the northwest quarter of the property. The pond provides breeding habitat for frogs and toads as well as a variety of invertebrate species. The property also serves as habitat for a variety of reptiles, mammals, and resident and migratory birds. This preserve will be managed as wildlife habitat with no plans to develop the property for recreation.
The preserve was donated by the family of Peter and Sue Ann Cotton. Sue Ann was the daughter of Winifred Sponseller, the previous owner and namesake of our nearby Winifred Sponseller Preserve. In addition to the family legacy, there is an additional tie to the early days of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. According to the Cotton family, Bob Ball, one of the three founding members of the organization, used to keep some of his bee hives on the property. We’re very grateful to the Cotton Family for the opportunity to preserve this property for future generations!
More information can be found at https://cwc-mi.org/cotton-family-preserve/
