This preserve lies in the Upper River Raisin Watershed, an area highly altered by agriculture, logging and development. The Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow serves to protect many remaining natural communities, stopover habitat for migrating birds and the river itself, which winds approximately 25 miles to TNC’s 700-acre Ives Road Fen preserve before continuing on to Lake Erie.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Preserve parking is available east of where Jacob Road ends at Easudes Road northwest of Sharon Hollow.
From Chelsea, MI:
As you hike the trails through floodplain forest and wooded wetlands, look for a vast array of wildflowers and other native plants. Beginning in mid-spring, woodland plants come to life, including bright blue hepatica, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, southern blue flag iris, squirrel corn, starflower, bloodroot and large-flowered trillium.
Walk Through the Wildflowers
Trillium: As the petals mature, some trillium turns pink. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp
Violet: A violet covered in morning dew. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp
Blue Phlox: The pale petals of a blue phlox. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp
Bellwort: A large-flowered bellwort growing at Nan Weston. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp
Spring Flowers: A wide variety of spring flowers grow at Nan Weston. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp
Our guided audio tours include stories, fun facts, historical notes and natural sounds to help deepen your connection to the world. You can access the tour from the comfort of your home, or onsite as you hike.
This walking tour takes you along a mile and a half route. Depending on how many stops you take, it will be about one hour until you reach the River Raisin. As you make your way through floodplain forests and wetlands, you will learn about and may see birds, trees, flowers, salamanders and other wildlife.
This preserve is open year round. In the spring, watch for wildflowers, vernal pools and amphibians. In the autumn, watch for stunning yellow beech leaves.
In the spring, be prepared for wet, muddy trails by wearing waterproof boots. Pack insect repellent, sunscreen and water.
This walking tour takes you along a mile and a half route. Depending on how many stops you take, it will be about one hour until you reach the River Raisin.
The Nature Conservancy allows bow hunting for white-tail deer on this preserve to reduce threats too many deer pose to our conservation targets and to ensure that the preserve does not become a “refuge” for deer during the hunting season.
In order to be eligible to hunt at this preserve, hunters are required to receive a permit from TNC, follow TNC hunting program rules and comply with all local, state and federal laws and ordinances governing hunting activities, including obtaining all required government licenses or permits. For more information, please visit our Deer Hunting in Michigan page.
Have questions about the preserve? Contact Shaun Howard, TNC protected lands project manager in Michigan.
Sharon Hollow is a dynamic preserve, featuring more than 260 species of wildflowers and other native plants. From the symphony of toads and frogs during spring, to the rain of yellow beech leaves in the fall, visitors will find year-round spectacles to enjoy. In the wet spring months, visitors can see vernal pools, which are temporary pools of water that provide habitat for insects, snakes and amphibians.
Also, keep an eye on the treetops and sky. Nan Weston Nature Preserve serves as stopover habitat for migrating birds as they travel through the Great Lakes flyway and provides nesting sites for several warblers and other birds, including the yellow warbler, rose-breasted grosbeak, barred owl and pileated woodpecker.
The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.
You have the power to make a difference for the Great Lakes State and for our planet. Your support will help fund groundbreaking science and conservation activities that protect the lands and waters you love.
