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Michigan
Coolbough Natural Areas
The Coolbough Natural Areas is a 400-acre preserve owned by Brooks Township and managed jointly with The Nature Conservancy.
Location
Newaygo County, near the city of Newaygo
Hours
Open year-round, dawn to dusk
Conditions
Brooks Township and The Nature Conservancy allow hunting for white-tail deer on this preserve to reduce an unnaturally high deer population in the area and reduce threats too many deer pose to our conservation targets.
The preserve features an extensive trail system with horseback riding permitted on designated trails. Bring your binoculars for spectacular views of wildlife. Take the self-guided tour.
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The Coolbough Natural Areas is a 400-acre preserve owned by Brooks Township and jointly managed by the township and The Nature Conservancy. The preserve represents the oak-savanna habitat that existed throughout Michigan.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Dry sand prairies are now considered globally rare, and the plant and animal species that exist solely on prairies are threatened as well. Because of their ecological importance and their role as examples of Newaygo’s natural heritage, efforts to protect and restore this uncommon ecosystem are underway.
Sources of information include Natural Newaygo, a publication of Brooks Township through a generous grant from The Fremont Area Community Foundation.
Why You Should Visit
Prairies and barrens (or savannas) are diverse and unique ecosystems, dominated by grasses and wildflowers rather than trees and shrubs. However, trees like white oak and white pine are commonly scattered through barrens, which serve as an important transition zone between prairies and forests. Together, prairies and barrens form an interconnected ecosystem that provide habitat for a diversity of plant and animal species.
The preserve also includes a ten-acre pond/wetland complex as well as white pine and white oak forest systems.
Things To Do
What to See: Plants
- Prairie/barrens/savanna: Dominated by grasses like Big and Little bluestem, and Indian grass and wildflowers like Wild lupine, Prairie smoke, Prickly pear cactus and Hoary puccoon.
- Wetlands/Pond Complex: Incredibly biologically diverse ecosystems thrive in wetlands areas. They provide wildlife habitat which provides for wildlife watching. You may come across Jewelweed, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Cinnamon fern as well as Blue flag iris and Marsh marigold.
Plan Your Visit
Please see "Preserve Visitation Guidelines" In addition, please note that this preserve does allow horseback riding on designated trails, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Directions
From M-37 in Newaygo:
- Turn onto Croton Drive. Go 3.7 miles east to Barberry Avenue.
- Turn north on Barberry; it will end after one mile at 58th Street along the southern boundary of the preserve.
- Turn right onto 58th Street. The entrance to the preserve is on the corner of 58th Street and Hazelwood Avenue.
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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