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Encompassing about 25,000 acres across five counties in southeast Michigan, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks contains some of the largest and most diverse greenspaces in our area. Open prairies, shady forests, and lively wetlands are home to an incredible array of plants and wildlife and provide prime opportunities for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, nature study, and a host of other outdoor activities.

The Metroparks Natural Resources Department oversees and manages undeveloped land throughout the 13 Metroparks. The goal of the Natural Resources Department is to protect and restore significant elements of natural diversity while balancing ecological stewardship with compatible recreational uses.

The natural diversity of the Metroparks is reflected in the number of unique habitats, animals, and plants found throughout the parks. For example, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are home to remnants of the disappearing Great Lakes coastal marshes; Kensington, Stony Creek, and Indian Springs host healthy populations of the rare Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake; and a population of mullein foxglove at Oakwoods is one of only two known in the state of Michigan. The Natural Resources Department actively protects and manages these precious resources, often calling upon volunteers to lend a helping hand.

Learn more about land, water, and stewardship at the Metroparks.

Natural Resouces Documents

Natural Resources Projects

Natural Resource Projects

This list contains medium and large scale projects exclusively. Normal maintenance activities such as small scale garlic mustard control are not listed in an effort to keep the list manageable.

MetroparkProjectDescriptionProject Timeline
DelhiJapanese Hedge Parsley ControlAlong West boundary of main park propertyMay – June 2018
DelhiInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlWest Delhi and river corridorJune – December 2018
 
Dexter-HuronPrescribed BurnOak Barrens/ Floodplain Forest South of riverFebruary – May 2018
Dexter-HuronInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlOak Barrens/ Floodplain Forest South of riverJune – December 2018
 
Hudson MillsOak Wilt RemediationSouthern end of East river Hike-Bike TrailNovember – December 2018
Hudson MillsJapenese Hedge Parsley ControlPineview and Disk GolfMay – June 2018
Hudson MillsProtected Species Habitat ImprovementsLocational information not provided per federal lawAugust – December 2018
Hudson MillsInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlNature Trails; East Boundary; Group Camp; West River Hike-Bike TrailJune – December 2018
Hudson MillsPrairie RestorationWest Hike-Bike TrailApril – October 2018
 
Huron MeadowsPrescribed BurnMaltby Lake Dry-Mesic ForestFebruary – May 2018
Huron MeadowsJapenese Hedge Parsley ControlMaltby Lake Dry-Mesic ForestMay – June 2018
Huron MeadowsInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlBeech Alley TrailJune – December 2018
Huron MeadowsPhragmites ControlMaltby Lake FenAugust – October 2018
Huron MeadowsInvasive Clover ControlAlong Southern park roadApril – May 2018
Huron MeadowsOak Wilt RemediationMaltby Lake Dry-Mesic ForestNovember – December 2018
 
Indian SpringsInvasive Clover ControlAlong Main RoadApril – May 2018
Indian SpringsProtected Species Habitat ImprovementsNo locational information available per federal lawAugust – December 2018
Indian SpringsBlack and Pale Swallowwort ControlSchmitt Lake; Nature Area; Equestrian Trails; Gasline; West Wetland ComplexMay – June 2018
Indian SpringsEnvironmental Discovery Center prarie site restorationDiversifying prarie  with native wildflowersProject moved to ’19
Indian SpringsPhragmites ControlHike-Bike Loop, Timerland Swamp ComplexAugust – October 2018
Indian SpringsOak Wilt RemediationAt intersection of Hike-Bike Trail and gas lineNovember – December 2018
Indian SpringsInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlWest Wetland Complex, Schmitt Lake, Crosby Lake GrasslandsJune – December 2018
Indian SpringsPrescribed BurnEDC Prairie; EDC constructed pond edgeFebruary – May 2018
 
KensingtonAquatic Nusiance Species ControlKent LakeJune – August 2018
KensingtonPrescribed Burn Tamarack Swamp; Group Camp Fen; Eat Border Oak SavannaFebruary – May 2018
KensingtonInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlWest end of Tamarack Swamp; Chickadee Woodland Loop; Deer Run; Spring Hill Valley; Milford Road Entrance Prairie and SavannaJune – December 2018
KensingtonBlack and Pale Swallowwort ControlChickadee Woodland; Dawson BridgeMay – June 2018
KensingtonOak Wilt RemediationNorth Windfall; Flagstaff; Route3/Buno Rd.November – December 2018
 
Lake ErieAquatic Nusiance Species ControlMarinaJune – August 2018
Lake EriePhragmites ControlPartially grant funded through the Western Lake Erie Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area; Throughout parkAugust – October 2018
Lake ErieProtected Species Habitat ImprovementsLocational information not provided per federal lawYear round
Lake ErieShoreline Softening and marsh Restoration1.6 million grant submission for
shoreline naturalization and
marsh restoration; Award announcements
in September ’18		Awards announced September 2018
Lake EriePrescribed BurnBird Banding Meadow; Playfield Grow ZoneFebruary – May 2018
Lake ErieLake Plain Prairie RestorationUndeveloped park property south of golf courseYear round
 
Lake St. ClairBlack Creek Marsh Restoration1.2 Million dollars in grant funds awarded
to create shallow fish spawning habitat
and water-based recreation trails		January – August 2018
Lake St. ClairPhragmites ControlControl of non-native phragmites throughout park. Phragmites has been reduce approximately 90% since treatment began.August – October 2018
Lake St. ClairShoreline Softening$170,000 Grant submittal to naturalize
shoreline in North Marsh		Grant awards announced in August 2018
Lake St. ClairEarly Detection Rapid ResponseGrant funding provided through the Lake St. Clair Cooperative
Invasive Species Management Area to locate
and eradicate new invasive species before widespread establishment; throughout park		Awards announced August 2018
Lake St. ClairNorth Marsh FencingInstall fence to stop off
road vehicle enchroachment		Begin Fall 2018
Lake St. ClairGoose ManagementUse of trained border collie to discourage Canada Geese from utilizing the beach and public recreation areas.Year round
Lake St. ClairMarsh Bird SurveysConduct surveys in the restored North Marsh and Point Rosa Marsh for habitat dependent speciesPerformed yearly in June
Lake St. ClairADA Accessible Fishing Dock InstallationFloating dock at Boat Launch
to provide fishing opportunities for people of all types of abilities		June – September 2018
 
Lower HuronErosion Control ImprovementsVarious Fishing sitesFall 2018
Lower HuronWoodland RestorationRemediation for damage caused by equipmentAugust – December 2018
Lower HuronInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlWoods Creek Nature TrailsJune – December 2018
Lower HuronPhragmites ControlVarious locations throughout the parkAugust – October 2018
 
OakwoodsGrassland Bird SurveysThroughout; Survey for grassland birds
as grasslands are restored to track community changes		Performed yearly in June
OakwoodsInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlNature Study Woodlands, Entrance and Salamander Woods GrasslandsJune – December 2018
OakwoodsPipeline Cooridor RestorationNature Study WoodlandsJune – December 2018
OakwoodsLiatris Borer Moth Habitat RestorationOakwoods Grasslands throughout; Grant in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy Oak Openings Region CollaborativeAugust – December 2018
 
Stony CreekPrairie RestorationNature Center Entrance Grasslands;
Foundation project funded by anonymus donor		June – September 2018
Stony CreekJapanese Knotweed ControlPark Boundary along Snell and Mt Vernon RoadsMay – June 2018
Stony CreekInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlEntrance Woodland; Inwood Pink and Orange TrailsJune – December 2018
Stony CreekPrickly Pear cactus IntroductionOrange Trail; Old Sand MineAugust – September 2018
Stony CreekAquatic Nusiance Species ControlControl of aquatic nuisance species
to increase accessibility and
use for water recreation		June – August 2018
Stony CreekEarly Detection Rapid ResponseGrant funding provided through the Lake St. Clair Cooperative
Invasive Species Management Area to locate
and eradicate new invasive species before widespread establishment; throughout park		Awards announced August 2018
 
WillowInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlAcorn KnollJune – December 2018
WillowAquatic Nuisance Species ControlControl of aquatic nuisance species
to increase accessibility and
use for water recreation		June – August 2018
 
Wolcott MillNorth Branch Clinton River Restoration268 riparian corridor restoration including prairie, forest, and floodplain forest restorationJanuary – August 2018
Wolcott MillPhragmites ControlControl of non-native
phragmites throughout park		August – October 2018
Wolcott MillInvasive Shrub and Vine ControlNorth Branch Clinton River Corridor North, In and around Settlers TrailJune – December 2018
Wolcott MillEarly Detection Rapid ResponseGrant funding provided through the Lake St. Clair Cooperative
Invasive Species Management Area to locate
and eradicate new invasive species before widespread establishment; throughout park		Awards announced August 2018
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