NATURE-WILDLIFE

Allegan welcomes 140-acre nature preserve, a project years in the making

Austin Metz
Special to the Sentinel
West Michigan residents now have over 140 acres of new property to explore with the grand opening of the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve just outside downtown Allegan.

ALLEGAN — West Michigan residents now have over 140 acres of new property to explore with the grand opening of the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve just outside downtown Allegan.

The property includes three miles of frontage along the Kalamazoo River, 80 upland acres of pine-oak forest, 60 acres of wetlands and over 560 documented plant species — which demonstrates the land’s biodiversity and the overall importance of protecting it.

The preserve also includes two miles of trail systems, offering scenic views of the Kalamazoo River. The trails are designed for walking, mobility devices, leashed dogs, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy purchased the property in Dec. 2021 with assistance from several local organizations and gifts from SWMLC members.

The Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve includes three miles of frontage along the Kalamazoo River, 80 upland acres of pine-oak forest, 60 acres of wetlands and over 560 documented plant species

“This is a dream that has been in the works for over 20 years, and we are so excited to finally be able to share the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve with everyone,” said SWMLC Stewardship Director Mitch Lettow. “SWMLC staff and board members first talked with Dave Armintrout in the 1990s to discuss conserving this land, and today, with the support and assistance of so many people, this nature preserve has finally become a reality.”

Funding was also used to install a new parking lot, a trailhead, benches and signage.

“We’ve been working hard since December to get the preserve ready for visitors, including creating a parking area and a trail system that highlights the coolest parts of the property, while protecting the most environmentally sensitive parts,” Lettow said. 

Protecting the local environment was the ultimate goal for the SWMLC. Orbis Environmental Consulting did a botanical survey of the preserve and found that, despite being farmed and timbered in the past, the property holds at least 10 plant species that are endangered or threatened in Michigan.

There will be additional infrastructure improvements moving forward, including an entrance sign and trailhead kiosk equipped with a map — plus habitat improvement and restoration work like invasive species removal and prescribed burns.

The Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve includes three miles of frontage along the Kalamazoo River, 80 upland acres of pine-oak forest, 60 acres of wetlands and over 560 documented plant species

The SWMLC also hopes to provide an outdoor classroom for local students and promote outdoor recreation and tourism.

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“As a science teacher in Allegan, I hope to bring my students to the preserve multiple times during the school year,” said Cindy Eichbaur, teacher for Allegan Public Schools, in a statement. “By being outside and seeing science in nature, I hope to foster an understanding, appreciation and desire to protect our natural resources in my students.”

The Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve is now open daily from dawn until dusk. Learn more at swmlc.org/armintrout-milbocker-nature-preserve. The entrance to the preserve is found at the end of Thomas Street.

— Austin Metz is a former Holland Sentinel reporter.