NAPP News
Natural Areas Preservation
Program
Total Land Protected: 963 acres
Administered by WCPARC since 2001
The Natural Areas Preservation Program continues to grow, with 23 additional acres protected by Washtenaw County this fall! The new Albert J. Miller Preserve and Goodrich Preserve bring the total land protected through NAPP to 963 acres.
Both preserves ranked highly on
"Proximity to Protected Land", one of four categories in a screening system
used by the
Natural Areas Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC) to identify
high-quality natural areas. The 12-acre Albert J. Miller Preserve and
adjacent Smith Woods Park (Village of Dexter) create a 29-acre patch of
protected land. The lack of invasive species in the woodland, numerous
pocket wetlands and remnant prairie species all contributed to NATAC's
recommendation to acquire the land. Located on Dexter-Chelsea Road in Lima
Township, visitors can access the new preserve through Smith Woods, which
has a parking area. The property was purchased in September from Susan
Miller and named in honor of her father.
The Goodrich Preserve, an 11-acre parcel on Dixboro Road, is adjacent to the University of Michigan's Horner-McLaughlin Woods, increasing the area of protected land to a total of 107 acres. The Horner Woods complex-used primarily by U-M for research, teaching and fieldwork-is dominated by old growth forest that grades from hilltop Oak-Hickory on the eastern Goodrich property to Maple-Mixed Hardwoods covering rich central valleys. Native shrubs, predominantly buttonbush, surround several small wetlands and fill a large swamp which separates much of the woodland from the M-14 freeway. The central portion of this forest, known for its outstanding spring wildflower displays, is preserved by U-M as a plant sanctuary. In October the County purchased a conservation easement which allows for public access; the Goodrich family retains title to the land. The Goodrich Preserve is located on Dixboro Road just south of M-14, in Ann Arbor Township. A small gravel parking area and entrance sign are planned future developments at the site.
