
Get the Inside Scoop
Take a tour through floodplain forests, wetlands, bluffs and marshes right from the palm of your hand. Our guided audio tours include stories, fun facts, historical notes and natural sounds to deepen your connection to place. Access the tour from the comfort of your home, or onsite as you hike! Keep scrolling to find directions for either option, available at the following locations:
- Carl A. Gerstacker Nature Preserve at Dudley Bay, Mackinac County
- Echo Lake Nature Preserve, Marquette County
- Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow, Washtenaw County
- Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve, Van Buren County
Take the Tour at the Preserve
Before you visit:
- Download the free TravelStorys app to your smartphone or tablet from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
- Search for the preserve you want to tour.
- Click on the tour when it pops up, then click on the blue circle with the white arrow to download it to your device.
- In your device settings, make sure GPS and location services are set to "allow all the time".
- Charge your device and grab a pair of headphones (if you prefer).
When you arrive:
- In the preserve's parking area, open the TravelStorys app, and select the tour to begin (data service/internet is not required).
- As you hike, the audio will play at pre-programmed GPS points. It’s like a personal tour guide that you can carry in your pocket!
Take the Tour at Home
- Visit travelstorys.com/tours and search for the preserve you’d like to tour.
- Click on the tour page and scroll to the green button “Explore this Preserve Remotely”.
- From here, toggle your way through the interface at your own pace. Enjoy all the sights and sounds from the comfort of your home (or classroom!).

Treasure Hunt with Geocaching
Geocaching is an exciting way to explore the landscape, to discover something new, and share special places with outdoor enthusiasts. Players seek to locate hidden containers, called geocaches or earthcaches, using a smartphone or GPS. It gets the whole family outside to explore the natural world and teaches kids about navigation with the fun reward of finding real hidden "treasure". Once back home, you can share your stories and photos of the adventure online. Log on to geocaching.com to set up a free account and start the hunt. Official geocaches can be found at the following preserves:
- Mary Macdonald Preserve at Horseshoe Harbor, Keweenaw County
- Maxton Plains Preserve, Chippewa County
- Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow, Washtenaw County
- Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve, Van Buren County
- Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve, Van Buren County
Geocaching is a regulated activity at TNC. In order to protect sensitive habitats and maintain a fun and safe activity, anyone wishing to place a geocache within our preserves must complete a permit application first.
Get Involved!
Volunteer Work Days
Step up for nature at Ives Road Fen Preserve in Lenawee County. Enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds as you remove garlic mustard in the floodplain next to the River Raisin and cut honeysuckle in the upland prairie. Work days take place every Saturday from 9am-12pm ET in the months of April, May, September, and October. To participate, contact Chuck Pearson at ivesroadfen@gmail.com or call 615-500-8229. This program is completely volunteer-run and a great opportunity to join a friendly conservation-minded community.
Field Trips & Webinars
Visit nature.org/mievents for more information on guided hikes and educational webinars offered throughout the year. Keep scrolling to find recorded webinars in the video gallery below.

Spotlight on Nature Series





Webinars and Staff Features





