Description
Why You Should Visit
Distinctive natural communities—like the raised graminoid fen and the sedge-covered wetland—make up the pretty and diversified Trail Creek Fen in LaPorte County. Even though the preserve is surrounded by houses and roads, the protected wetlands are undisturbed jewels and an excellent example of what was once common along the stream corridors of the southern Lake Michigan watershed.
What The Nature Conservancy Is Doing/Has Done
Restoration and maintenance of Trail Fen Creek include removal of excess woody growth from the preserve and prescribed burns to reintroduce the periodic fire that would have naturally taken place. Invasive species—like Dame's rocket, privet, garlic mustard, autumn olive, tree-of-heaven, phragmites, and reed canary grass—are constantly removed. Stewardship staff is working to restore degraded areas of the wetland and buffer upland habitat. The fen communities are also conservation concerns.
This preserve is owned and managed by Save the Dunes.