This rich swamp forest shelters rare and reclusive animals and plants and is key to protecting the health of Lake Leelanau.

Along the shores of Lake Leelanau lies a tapestry of wetland habitats where Mebert Creek discharges into Lake Leelanau. One of the region’s most diverse wetland complexes, with 174 acres and over a mile of shoreline, this preserve provides undisturbed habitat for rare and threatened plants. It also filters and removes excess nutrients, thereby protecting the water quality of the lake.

The lowland forest contains birch, ash, basswood, red maple, white pine, tamarack, and cedar. Understory thrives where light breaks the canopy. A variety of ferns, wild rose and yellow lady’s-slippers provide shelter for reclusive species such as otter and bobcat.

Ecologist Glen Goff told the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, “the fen located along the shoreline of Lake Leelanau...is an exemplary natural feature of a type that is presently rare in northern Michigan.”

A Timeless Treasure

The Conservancy purchased this 140 acre preserve, then helped Bingham Township to acquire it with the help of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. A second 13-acre parcel was added to this preserve in 2003.

Subsequently, John Greeno donated 21 acres and 1,600 feet of adjacent Lake Leelanau shoreline to the Conservancy. He explains, “This land has been in my family since we established a fishing camp there in 1905, and we always wanted to keep it as natural as possible.”

Mebert Creek & Greeno Preserve Access:

174 Acres – Guided Tours Only