Grand River Conservation Campus

"Feels like a bigger version of the woods I played in as a child, with the addition of a river and pond chock full of critters. Buzzing fields of native flowers really bring home how beautiful wildflowers are and how much our bees, butterflies, etc. need them to survive. And it's surprising how much they leave humans alone when not desperately searching for food. A lot of different ecosystems to explore all in one place. The Nature Center explains how it all works together. One of those places you don't realize how much you learn just exploring and observing."

"The nature center was closed when I went. Looks like the restrooms are closed all the time during COVID. I think I was expecting something more from the trails/swamp. Though it’s a “swamp preserve” there wasn’t much that seemed very swampy to me. The trail takes you through a henlock/yellow birch swamp which was a new kind of thing for me. It is a wetland - a forest with a lot of water on the ground. There is one spot where they have benches looking into a wet pine-y area that was actually very cool. Super peaceful. That part made it worthwhile. Otherwise I was not too impressed with the trail. It might be more interesting in spring or summer when more of the flora is still around. At one point there is an old property boundary that has a number of Osage Orange tries planted in a row (with other trees). Looks like only one was still alive. The area by the pond/parking lot had tons of Americans Hornbeam trees - mainly between the pond and river. Had to be 50 to 100 of them. Amazing for this tree. I’ve never seen anything like it."

"Seems un maintained. Super strange guys following you around. Always seems like there watching you. For there boat/kayak/canoe launch, not a great place to drop. But, if you can get in. See attached pics. Playground seemed clean. Walking trails were nice. Lots of parking and a pavilion."

"What a nice walk through the woods and fields. We enjoyed it. Only saw one person and her two dogs. Quiet and peaceful."