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Places We Protect

Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow

Michigan

Small purple flowers and a larger, three-petaled white flower at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in southeast Michigan.
Flowers at Nan Weston Nature Preserve Trillium and blue phlox are just two of the flowers on display at Nan Weston Nature Preserve in the spring. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp
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Sharon Hollow is a dynamic preserve, featuring more than 260 species of wildflowers and other native plants.

Overview

Description

Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow is a dynamic area, featuring more than 260 species of wildflowers and other native plants. 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.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Pets are not permitted.

Highlights

Wildflowers, migrating birds and the River Raisin

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Wildflowers at Nan Weston

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
A close up of trillium at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.
A purple violet covered in water drops at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.
A blue phlox grows in Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.
The yellow petals of a large-flowered Bellwort growing at Nan Weston Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.
A hand points out a flower at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.
A close up of trillium at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.

Trillium: As the petals mature, some trillium turns pink. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp

A purple violet covered in water drops at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.

Violet: A violet covered in morning dew. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp

A blue phlox grows in Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.

Blue Phlox: The pale petals of a blue phlox. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp

The yellow petals of a large-flowered Bellwort growing at Nan Weston Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.

Bellwort: A large-flowered bellwort growing at Nan Weston. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp

A hand points out a flower at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow in Michigan.

Spring Flowers: A wide variety of spring flowers grow at Nan Weston. © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp

Exploring the Preserve

The activities below will help you explore the preserve and enhance your connection with nature—from the comfort of your home or while onsite.

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    Audio Tour

    Our guided audio tour includes stories, fun facts, historical notes, and natural sounds to help deepen your connection to the Nan Weston Nature Preserve. You can access the tour from the comfort of your home or onsite as you hike. Learn More

  • A person crouches down to examine green plant life while on a hike at Nan Weston Nature Preserve in Michigan.

    iNaturalist

    Help our scientists and restoration managers keep track of the species in our nature preserves by using iNaturalist. You can record your observations, help others identify species and view other users' identifications. Learn More

  • Pop Goes the Weasel // Weasel pup on a sunny day at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Taken 7/17/22

    More Ways to Explore

    We offer a variety of ways to explore including geocaching, webinars, events and volunteer opportunities. You can even request a permit to use TNC lands for scientific research! Learn More

Nan Weston Nature Preserve (3:20) In the autumn, Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow transforms with colorful foliage.

Plan Your Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

    Trail Map

  • For the safety of both the habitats at this preserve and visiting guests, we ask that you please follow the rules listed below.

    • No building of new trails
    • No pets
    • No removal of trees, plants or animals (alive or dead)
    • No removal of rocks, water or other non-organic materials
    • No camping, bonfires, fireworks or other fires
    • No firewood collecting
    • No littering
    • No motorized and non-motorized vehicles, including bicycles
    • No hunting or trapping without a TNC permit
    • No trespassing on adjacent land

  • 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 us at miplaces@tnc.org. 

A salamander rests alongside someones hand.
Nan Weston Nature Preserve You may catch a glimpse of the red-backed salamander or the eastern newt, most commonly found near vernal pools in cavities of rocks or overturned logs. © Elyse Hossink/TNC

Background

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.

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Keep Exploring

From shifting sand dunes to granite bald mountains, explore our preserves and reserves spread across the state of Michigan.

Find More Places We Protect

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.

See the Complete Map

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