Washtenaw County Natural Areas Preservation Program (NAPP)

Representing continued collaboration with the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC), Conservancy staff first brought the availability of the property, and the impending development pressure, to the attention of Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation. Adjacency to the SMLC’s Springhill Nature Preserve (30 acres of protected land); high quality plant communities; and a commitment by SMLC to assist with maintenance, restoration and trail development over the next ten years all contributed to the County’s decision to purchase the land.

A wonderful maple-beech woodland, shared with Springhill Preserve in the southeastern corner of the property, is home to many mature beech. The rather uncommon blue ash is found in relative abundance on the western portion of the site. Wetlands, seasonal streams, and a spring flowing out of the maple-beech woodland all contribute to the headwaters of Fowler Creek which ultimately flows into the Rouge River—hence the name “headwaters”. Cultivated land, the third major land cover type, makes up about 50% of the property and is currently farmed. Looking to the future, the open land presents opportunities for wildlife conservation plantings and habitat restoration that will further protect the existing high quality natural areas.

Directions: From M-14: Ford Road (M-153) exit, eastbound. Continue heading east to the corner of Ford and Prospect. Turn right onto Prospect. The preserve entrance and parking is located on the east side of Prospect Road, approximately 0.1 miles south of Ford Road and 0.8 miles north of Cherry Hill Road.