The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit

Barker Woods, dedicated to the Conservancy in 1975, is dominated by pin oak, black gum, and red maple. The preserve also displays a beautiful arrangement of yellow and white birches as well as several boreal shrub and herb species.

Location

LaPorte County

Ecoregion

The Great Lakes

Size

30 Acres

Dedicated

State Nature Preserve, 1975 

Owned & Managed by

The Nature Conservancy  

Partners

Department of Natural Resources

What The Nature Conservancy is Doing/has Done  

Development near Baker Woods has drastically altered the hydrological processes of the wet forest habitat by ridding the land of sufficient amounts of fresh water. In addition, Barker Woods is being overrun by many non-native species — such as burning bush, garlic mustard, lily of the valley, periwinkle, and privet — that were introduced through landscaping. Restoring the wet forest habitats and eradicating invasive species is the Conservancy’s main goal.

Things To Do

What to See: Plants and Animals

Barker Woods homes a number of trees including: pin oak, black gum, red maple, yellow and white birches. Threatened and rare plants such as trailing arbutus, large-leaved shinleaf, paper birch, cow wheat, draping wood sedge and long sedge can also be found at the preserve so please stay on the trail.

Plan Your Visit

This easy terrain is open for hiking on the trails, photography, and it is great for bird watching. Please park in the designated area. For more information please consult the Conservancy’s Preserves Visitation Guidelines.

Directions

From the intersection of U.S. 421 and U.S. 20 in Michigan City travel north on U.S. 421 (Franklin Street) 0.5 mile to Barker Road. Turn east and go 0.5 mile, cross Cleveland Avenue, and turn left (north) into the preserve.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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