In the northeast corner of Cass County is a collection of getaways -- Gilchrist Retreat Center, the Hermitage and St. Gregory's Abbey -- and now Spirit Springs Sanctuary, the most recent addition to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy's preserves.
The Land Conservancy's first preserve with public access in Cass County opens June 9.
“The preserve was named Spirit Springs in part because of the surface stream and groundwater seeps on the site, but also because it is a place that lends itself well to peaceful reflection and the renewal of mind, body and spirit," says Peter Ter Louw, Land Conservancy executive director.
The 124-acre sanctuary near Marcellus has a variety of tree and plant communities across the property acquired in 2010 from owners Vernon and Alice Miller. Funding to conserve Spirit Springs Sanctuary comes from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to protect the preserve's significant wetland habitats.
Spirit Springs Sanctuary is located along Dutch Settlement Road near the St. Joseph/Cass County line and can be found by looking for road signs east of Miller Road and west of Day Road. Events marking the grand opening are set for 10 a.m. to noon. A guided tour is among the festivities planned for the morning.
Off-street parking, signs and other features added by the Land Conservancy make it an attractive place for a walk. It's also a good place to watch for wildlife. Land Conservancy conservation and stewardship director Nate Fuller says it's common to see three dozen different kinds of birds and several species of frogs and turtles on any given spring day.
"The pond provides essential habitat for waterfowl and on any given day can really be good theater," says Fuller.
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Pamela W. Larson, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
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