Conservation Value

Forested areas and shrubby wetlands support colorful birds like American redstart, rose-breasted grosbeak, green heron, wood duck, and Baltimore oriole, which are especially abundant during annual migration. 

Lamberton Lake Fen Nature Preserve protects Lamberton Lake Fen, a rare wetland type. The preserve supports more than 100 native plant species, and the fen is home to several plant and animal species that are threatened, endangered, or otherwise imperiled in Michigan.  

The Land Conservancy, with the help of many volunteers, is leading a long-term project to restore the fen, which has been severely impacted by glossy buckthorn, an aggressive invasive species. Invasive species removal is coupled with restoring natural hydrologic patterns and carefully using prescribed fire, which helps to protect and improve the fen habitat. 

History

Lamberton Lake is a kettle lake, formed by a retreating glacier over 10,000 years ago. In the millennia that followed, Lamberton Lake was surrounded by oak-hickory forest, oak savanna, and an emergent wetland. Along with the area’s unique soil composition, fire supported the development and maintenance of the prairie fen and other habitats in the preserve. While some fires occurred naturally by lightning, most were set by Native Americans, who used fire for agriculture and hunting, among other reasons. After the Europeans arrived, the fire regime changed, and expanding development in Grand Rapids drastically altered the landscape and hydrology in the land surrounding Lamberton Lake. 

In 1994, the Land Conservancy accepted the donation of 19 acres of undeveloped land along the southeast shore of the lake, which included the fen. Although the property is largely wetland, it was scheduled to be converted for use as an apartment building. The developer’s plans changed when state biologists confirmed that the property hosted a thriving population of protected rare wildflowers. Ten years later, the Land Conservancy accepted an additional donation of five acres of wooded shoreline on the west side of Lamberton Lake. Combined, the two parcels at Lamberton Lake Fen Nature Preserve protect a remarkably natural shoreline in a highly urban setting. The Land Conservancy’s focus since acquiring the preserve has been to restore the rare prairie fen and other habitats with the help of volunteers.