This week I took advantage of a guided hike by Bill Atkinson of the Michigan Nature Association in a new preserve for me. The MNA is one of Michigan’s oldest land preservation organizations following a basic philosophy that in order to preserve land, you need to own it. And that, they have done with great success, with over 170 preserves as of this writing. I have made an effort to visit each one within at least an hour’s drive of me, but somehow this one escaped my radar.
This particular preserve was established through the bequest of William James Brennan who passed away on February 8, 1986. He wanted it named for his wife, Alice, and adoptive father, James. The St. Clair County preserve is 118 acres of a 120-acre farm that was in the Brennan family for over 100 years. During the 1950s, Alice Brennan started evergreen groves on the farm, which remain today, standing like towering giants. The rest of the farm was allowed to be reclaimed by surrounding flora and fauna, consisting of the pine groves, woodland forest, and wetlands along the Pine River.
Another aspect I appreciate about MNA properties is that they keep the trails rather primitive to minimize any disturbances. As such, I find that I am often the only human there when visiting. They are often in the middle of nowhere, not even identified by an address which can make them difficult to find. I always thought that was a strategic benefit, especially since many of them contain very sensitive habitats and endangered species.
A Nature Preserve in Michigan’s Thumb Area
Farmland still dominates this particular area. It was the primary scenery for at least half of my hour-long drive. Forested areas here were either cleared specifically for farmland or still recovering from great fires of 1871 in Michigan’s Thumb Area. Along the way, I saw an Elk farm I made a note to investigate someday and a rather old cemetery with a boarded crypt that had been broken into. These types of places often go into my mental notepad, but often lost to other priorities or one too many glasses of Scotch.
As I followed Bill along the meandering trail, he quizzed us on various trees along the way. Around that time I felt as if I should be wearing a dunce cap instead of my winter hat. I am bad enough at remembering my tree IDs when there are leaves about, but with bark and twigs only – I was doomed. I am OK with a couple dozen or so core species, but beyond that is a lot of guesswork. He pointed to Pileated Woodpecker nesting activity, invasive plants on the checklist to take care of, and bridges that needed some mending.
I learned that William Brennan used to walk these woods every single day of his life, probably knowing these trees as well as the back of his hand. He likely stared up at the same 100-150-year-old giants with the same admiration as I did. His father, James, would have been 10 years old at the time of the fires. There is barely a trace of that devastation now except within the tree-ring cores of nature’s historians.
Once we finished our hike, I couldn’t help but stop for a moment of gratitude to Bill, Alice, and James. It is a place I need to revisit someday during Spring and Fall. Many other not-so-fortunate farm properties in Southeast Michigan have fallen in favor of their value to build another subdivision or parking lot. This one, along with the many other treasures in MNA possession, will remain untouched.
I was a friend of Bill and Alice Brennan and they were wonderful people. I spent time at their home in the summertime taking discovery walks through the woods and riding a neighbors horse on the trails. Went swimming in the river and watched foxes play in the fields. I was 12 or so and it was heaven on earth to me.
That’s wonderful Diane. Were you searching for other people who have been to this place?
This looks like my kind of place! I’m so glad you have it near you. Can’t wait to see it in the spring through your talented lens.
Such a wonderful gift! I wish there were more nature preserves near me. I actually wonder if there are and they are simply well kept secrets. I think I’ll do some research on that note. I have pileated woodpeckers here!! They live hear year round and sound like a jungle bird when they call! Very cool. I have spotted the tall pine where they nest. It’s lost it’s branches and bark but remains standing, a fine fine home. I take pictures with my phone as best I can so I don’t manage birds very well. Have a super week Mark 🙂
It is a great idea for anyone to put on their to-do list “search for nature preserves near me.” 🙂 I am jealous of your pileated activity nearby. I have only seen one maybe once or twice in the field, but never near home. Thanks for your comments Suzanne!
Besides being just plain beautiful, your second photo is intriguing for the way the stream changes appearance—at least I assume that’s the same stream hairpin-curving in front of the camera.
Thanks Linda. The stream forms a Y-shape but I did think it was interesting how one side was frozen. Maybe slower moving water there.
Lucky to have land preserved like that. Beautiful images. I too make mental notes where to return to. I wish I returned to more than I do. I’m sure you’re exactly the type of visitor that Bill, Alice and James would be glad is coming by to visit.
The story of this organization is quite interesting. Started as just a group of birding ladies who saw some of their birding spots disappearing. So they organized and started buying land.
I try to remind myself of places like this when I see a local woodland in the suburbia of Detroit being clear-cut. Not all of them can be saved, but some are.