NATURAL AREAS & PRESERVES MAP


	To show the diversity and range of the Leelanau Conservancy's accomplishments in protecting land in Leelanau County, this section of our web site provides directions and details regarding Leelanau Conservancy Natural Areas & Preserves. Some Natural Areas (marked with yellow dots on the clickable map below) are open for recreation and we encourage visitors. Directions to these areas are provided on the pages that the map links to. Some properties are sensitive to human impact, and are visited on a very limited basis (marked with green or blue dots). Call the Leelanau Conservancy at (231) 256-9665 or visit the Programs & Events Calendar for a schedule of guided tours. Leelanau Conservancy Natural Areas & Preserves Map Mouseover and click on the Natural Area/Preserve for more information, events, news & photos. Click for larger version!

Kehl Lake Natural Area
This 140 acre preserve includes 1,800 feet of undeveloped shoreline along Kehl Lake, old growth forestland, and cedar swamp.

Finton Natural Area
Info coming soon!

Houdek Dunes Natural Area
Located north of Leland, this preserve includes sensitive dunes, wetlands, 4,500 feet of Houdek Creek, nearly one mile along M-22 Highway, and unique wildlife habitat.

Nedow's Bay
Info coming soon!

Leland Village Green
This locally funded village open space project is a great example of citizens uniting to create a space for quiet enjoyment within a town.

Hall Beach
This is Leland's first public beach on Lake Michigan since the harbor was constructed in 1970.

Whaleback Natural Area
Located just south of the Leland Harbor, it has long served as an excellent navigational aid to mariners. The Conservancy property includes 117 acres, 3,700 feet of shoreline, and 280 feet on Lake Leelanau.

Chippewa Run Natural Area
Once known as the Gateway to Empire, this 95 acre-tract has kept the approach to the village scenic and natural.

Cedar River Natural Area
Located in the heart of the Solon Swamp near the southwestern corner of the southern portion of Lake Leelanau, this property is one of Leelanau County's last remaining pristine riparian wetlands.

Belanger Creek Preserve
Located north of Peshawbestown along Belanger Creek, this preserve encompasses nearly 70 acres of diverse habitat.

Whittlesey Preserve
This property is located near the Belanger Creek Natural Area and is dominated by hardwood forest and rolling hills, some with excellent views of Grand Traverse Bay.

Frazier-Freeland Preserve
Info coming soon!

Narrows Preserve
Info coming soon!

Greeno Preserve
These areas preserve 157 acres of wetlands in Bingham Township on South Lake Leelanau.

Mebert Creek Preserve
The land is a part of an extensive wetland complex that flanks Mebert Creek as it enters Lake Leelanau, which is important to maintaining water quality as well as providing habitat.

Teichner Preserve
This property is located along the northeast corner of Lime Lake. The Teichner Natural Area is dominated by hardwood and coniferous forested wetlands and feet of Lime Lake shoreline.

James C. Soper Preserve
This property is home to a wide variety of wildlife and wildflowers, including a prolific orchid colony - the Showy Lady's Slipper, considered a protected species.

Gull Island Preserve
This island is the largest and southernmost herring gull and cormorant nesting colony in the Great Lakes.

Crystal River Project
In mid-October 2005, federal funds appropriated for the river's transfer into the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore came through. The project includes 104 acres and 6,300 feet of river frontage.

Lighthouse West Preserve
The 42-acre takes in 640 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline. Escalating prices of lake front property in the last decade has limited our ability to protect even the most vital of areas.

DeYoung Natural Area on Cedar Lake
The 145-acre Louis DeYoung farm is just minutes from Traverse City, with frontage on both sides of Cherry Bend Road.