Enhance Your Visit
Take an audio tour of Carl A. Gerstacker Nature Preserve.
Why Is This Preserve Significant?
Carl A. Gerstacker Nature Preserve protects a large expanse of contiguous forest on and near the Lake Huron shoreline to support migratory birds on their journey north and south, as well as safegaurd other rare plant and animal species.
What Can I See Here?
Enjoy five miles of beautiful shoreline across four bays on Lake Huron, two small islands, Big and Little Trout Lakes, and parts of two creeks.
Visitors might also see a variety of animals including the loon, pileated woodpecker, osprey, wolf and several species of neotropical migratory songbirds such as the American redstart and magnolia warbler.
Thanks to Our Funders
The preserve was created in 1993 through the generosity of Marilyn Twining and her family who, over a period of years, sold the major parcels of land to TNC in order to protect them as the Little Trout Lake Preserve and the Dudley Bay Preserve.
In honor of a combined grant from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, the Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation and the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, the preserve was renamed in 1996 after Carl E. Gerstacker. Gerstacker was the former chairman of the board and director of The Dow Chemical Company as well as a founding member of the TNC’s Michigan board of trustees.
