Join us in welcoming Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve to the Old-Growth Forest Network!

Land Conservancy of West Michigan Staff and local botanist, historian, and OGFN volunteer County Coordinator, Bill Martinus, will help lead the hike. From nearby Meinert Park, we will walk along the beach to reach the preserve and explore it’s rich backdune forests.

Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve is located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the northwest part of Muskegon County, owned and cared for by the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. Established in 2012, the preserve protects outstanding views of Lake Michigan, sand and gravel beach, open dunes, interdunal wetlands and 64-acres of mesic northern forest. The forest showcases high-quality, second-growth with abundant large dead trees and fallen logs, teeming with fungi, woodpeckers, and other forest birds. Notable older hemlocks are present on site, and with careful stewardship from LCWM and the community, it will continue to develop important old-growth characteristics. Tree species present include eastern hemlock, American beech, red oak, white pine, sugar maple, and other hardwoods.

The public is invited to gather at Meinert Park, a Muskegon County Park located at 8592 Meinert Park Rd, Montague, MI 49437 for a short hike along the beach to explore the preserve. Please note that a parking fee may be collected at the entrance of Meinert Park for a cost of $5 (cash).