Richmond Woods Nature Preserve

County: Newaygo Established: 2013 114 Acres
Features
  • Hunting
  • Scenic Vista
  • Sensitive Habitat
  • Water Feature
Amenities
  • Leashed Pets Allowed
  • Parking

At a Glance

  • Approximate Street Address: 8000 N. Centerline Road, Brohman, MI
  • Located near Brohman in central Newaygo County, Richmond Woods Nature Preserve spans two watersheds, protects multiple wetland types, and features a sustainable, working forest.
  • Trail length: 1.4 miles (Download Trail Map).
  • Before you visit, check out our preserve guidelines. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Visitor Information

The preserve can be accessed via a gravel parking area on the east side of Centerline Road, about a quarter-mile north of Lincoln Street. Look for the large preserve sign.

Archery deer hunting is available at this property through the Michigan DNR’s Hunting Access Program. Rules and regulations apply. Learn more on the DNR’s website.

Conservation Value

Straddling both the Pere Marquette and White River watersheds, Richmond Woods Nature Preserve protects a pristine sphagnum bog and a high-quality sedge meadow wetland. Those wetlands protect water quality and are also home to the American Bittern, a bird in the heron family that is classified as special concern in Michigan.

The center of the preserve supports a mixed oak forest that is being managed for sustainable timber harvest. Adjacent to U.S. Forest Service land, Richmond Woods Nature Preserve helps protect a large expanse of Michigan’s iconic forest and wetland habitats.

History

James Richmond, a city-raised New Jersey native with dreams of settling in the country, purchased the property in 1910.  Over the years, the property remained in the Richmond family and was eventually passed down to James’ great-grandchildren, Kathleen Fleming and John Gottschalk.  Wanting to honor their great-grandfather and see the land protected, Kathleen and John approached the Land Conservancy with the idea of turning the land into a nature preserve.

Impressed by the high-quality natural features and wilderness character of the property, the Land Conservancy worked with a number of partners – including Ducks Unlimited and the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant program – to make Kathleen and John’s vision a reality.  Richmond Woods is the Land Conservancy’s first nature preserve in Newaygo County.

Features
  • Hunting
  • Scenic Vista
  • Sensitive Habitat
  • Water Feature
Amenities
  • Leashed Pets Allowed
  • Parking

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