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The Nature Conservancy Temporarily Closes Trails at Nan Weston Nature Preserve

Trail closure allows for construction and repair of boardwalks throughout the preserve.

January 18, 2024 | Manchester, Michigan

Preserve kiosk sign for The Nature Conservancy's Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow.
Nan Weston Preserve Branding Sign Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow © Michael D-L Jordan/dlp

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The Nature Conservancy in Michigan (TNC) today announced it is temporarily closing the trails at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow to visitors until further notice.

“At The Nature Conservancy, providing the public ways to visit our preserves safely and enjoyably while also protecting the preserve’s natural resources is one of our top priorities,” said Shaun Howard, preserve infrastructure and outreach project manager for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. “Several of the preserve’s boardwalks need to be repaired or rebuilt, and closing the trails now will give TNC staff time to make the necessary repairs.”

While Nan Weston Nature Preserve’s trails are closed, TNC will also be reviewing other possible enhancements for visitors to the preserve.

Nan Weston is among TNC’s top five most visited preserves in Michigan and is renowned for its spring wildflowers and opportunities to spot migrating songbirds. According to iNaturalist, more than 1,300 observations have been made and more than 400 unique species have been identified by citizen scientists at the preserve over the last several years.

While the trails at Nan Weston Nature Preserve are temporarily closed, we encourage outdoor enthusiasts to visit other nearby TNC preserves including Grand River Fen Preserve in Horton and Ives Road Fen Preserve in Tecumseh. Directions to and information about those preserves, and many others, can be found at nature.org/miplaces.

TNC will provide updates on our social media channels and on the Nan Weston Nature Preserve web page when they are available. If you have any questions, please email MIPlaces@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.