Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Travel
south of Hastings, west of Charlotte or north of Battle
Creek and, after a gorgeous drive on old Cloverdale Rd., you
will find the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. 600+ acres of
trails, nature areas and wildlife. Protected from
development, there are wetlands, Brewster Lake and a 150
foot deep ravine that was formed glacial activity.
Enjoy a wide variety of upland habitats: created prairie,
fallow fields, young second growth forests, and mature
forest such as beech-maple, oak and hickory. Since
purchasing the property in 1998, the Institute has converted
over 70 acres of field into native, tallgrass prairie.
The wetland habitats found on the property are quite
diverse, including tamarack swamp forests, white cedar swamp
forests (among the southernmost known in Michigan), mixed
hardwood swamp forests, shallow and deep marsh wetlands,
many acres of prairie fen and a spring-fed trout stream.
Virtually the entire watershed of Brewster Lake lies within
the preserve. The lake is one of the more pristine lakes in
the region, notable for its lack of non-native aquatic
plants and its completely-natural fauna of fish species.
The institute does include full facilities, educational
services and a gift shop.
www.cedarcreekinstitute.org
For nearby lodging check www.backroadsloding.com