| Recognition:
|
The Nature
Conservancy Natural Areas Registry |
 |
| Size: |
60 acres |
| Location:
|
About 8
miles south of Kalamazoo |
| Management: |
Gourdneck
State Game Area |
| Activities:
|
Hiking, hunting, photography, nature
study, wildflower viewing |
Importance:
A wetland complex in the floodplain of Hampton Creek, which flows
southwesterly into Hampton Lake. The presence of several major
natural communities, including southern sedge meadow, fen, mesic-wet
prairie and wet northern forest, and the presence of several
sub-types within each of these communities, as well as nine plant
species that are threatened in the state, label the wetland as very
unusual. Its size and natural diversity recommended it as a natural
area. The surrounding uplands, though disturbed, support vegetation
of sand prairies and open oak woods, which are communities once
found throughout southern Michigan. |
|