Flood area Turtle Woods , Six Rivers Land Conservancy area, Oakland County, Michigan
Squish, squish, squish. That sound your hiking shoes make while following a very wet, primitive trail, through what you will learn to be as a rare Lakeplain wet-mesic prairie. Unfortunately, not much “prairie” remains due to invasives and our land use practices over centuries. Less than 1% of this type of habitat remains in Michigan, so very rare indeed – globally in fact. As we continue through it, I hoped my hiking shoe choice was adequate.
What remains in this 80 acre parcel of land in Oakland County, Michigan is exactly what the Six Rivers Land Conservancy is trying to protect and ultimately restore. Last week I joined Six Rivers Land Conservancy and a lot of other nature lovers on an introductory hike through this property. The SRLC is in process of acquiring this place, named Turtle Woods, with plans to restore a portion to its lakeplain prairie state. With help from the Stage Nature Center in Troy, and the Troy School system, Turtle Woods is positioned to become an educational resource about this disappearing habitat and all the species supported by it.
Were Spotted Turtle eggs here? | Lakeplain wet-mesic Prairie habitat, Turtle Woods, Oakland County, Michigan
Where Spotted Turtles once basked in sunlight
Spotted Turtles are an endangered species on the IUCN Red List, and listed as threatened in Michigan. There are records of sightings in Turtle Woods during 1997-2000. Chris Bunch of the SRLC educated us on how Spotted Turtles lay their eggs in this type of prairie habitat. Similarly, these turtles prefer standing bodies of shallow water, typical of the seasonal flooding in a lakeplain wet prairie. As with so many areas around the world, rare habitats and species that depend on them are vitally interconnected. So there is an opportunity, right here in the sprawling suburbia of Southeastern Michigan, to perhaps provide protection for both.
It is not clear if any Spotted Turtles remain in this area, and I will certainly make updates here with new reports.
Getting Away at Home
As a light rain started during our hike, one thing became clear. Despite occasional disturbance from the young kids along on the hike, this was a very quiet place. That sound of rain falling in a puddle in the middle of the woods has a certain alluring sound to it. And yet, we aren’t “up north” getting away from it all. We are in this bustling northern suburb of Detroit. There aren’t many places like this left.
Rain falling on puddle, Turtle Woods nature preserve, Oakland County, Michigan
It doesn’t take that far of a walk to appreciate this. It isn’t hard to imagine this rain falling could be providing some replenishment to a nearby vernal pool for salamanders, or a pond for Spotted Turtles. With the work of organizations like SRLC, volunteers, and of course donations, that which can be imagined can be realized in experiences. Just remember a pair of boots.
I followed your link to read up on what a “Lakeplain wet-mesic prairie” is…never heard the term before. Looks like a beautiful natural area. I hope the SRLC is successful in acquiring this land and in preserving/restoring it and all the animal species that might call it home. The “wet” part is very apparent from your photos. Thanks for sharing your discovery. 🙂
Earl, I had to look it up also when I heard it from the SRLC. Always learning right? With there being hardly any left, I don’t suppose it is a term you hear very often. I wish I could keep all of this in my head more than I do. There are so many more specific habitat names I have yet to learn about.
Wow, what a place and what an opportunity to hopefully let a species make a comeback. I really look forward to hearing more about it. And sounds like a great place to photograph from what you have shown us.
80 acres is a pretty big area to explore. I heard there are some old growth trees in a section we didn’t hike. Worthy of a few more visits for sure. Restoration however, will take many many years.