Hunter's Creek flows peacefully though Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary.

Funds Needed for Dowagiac Woods Addition

MNA must raise $375,000  in 2009 to cover the acquisition and endowment costs

A “jewel in the crown”
Dowagiac Woods is considered the “jewel in the crown” of MNA’s sanctuaries, and has been described as an outdoor museum crammed full of living things.  Visitors to the sanctuary can walk along easy, well-marked trails and are treated to an experience like no other – an opportunity to step back in time and see the forest as the early settlers did. 

Dowagiac Woods is a spectacular natural area where an amazing lushness reigns.  Because the majority of the property has never been plowed or clear-cut, there is an incredible species diversity.  Wildflowers, trees, birds, and other animals flourish here, and the great size of the woods is a factor vital to their survival. 

The woods were virtually unknown even to people living nearby.  However, Isaac Hunter, a local farmer and naturalist knew the woods well.  He was also a member of MNA, and when the property came up for sale, he notified MNA.  220 acres were acquired in 1983, and an additional 15 acres in 1995. 

Plants flourish at Dowagiac Woods in countless numbers, with more than 50 species of wildflowers that bloom in the spring. Here is a plant community that shows what a forest floor free from human development looks like. 

Nearly 50 kinds of trees have been found, numerous birds nest here, and the woods is a haven for nine plants and animals classified as in danger of becoming extinct in Michigan. 

An extraordinary opportunity
On August 12, 2008, MNA received notice of a land auction to take place in Pokagon Township, Cass County the following week.  Among the parcels to be auctioned was the farm that once belonged to Bruno Daresh, including two tracts totaling nearly 150 acres and lying on the north boundary of Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary. 

With only a week to act, the MNA staff, Land Acquisition Subcommittee and Board of Trustees immediately began the work of assembling, evaluating information about the land and deliberating the possibility of acquiring these additions to Dowagiac Woods.

One week later, the Land Acquisition Subcommittee had made its evaluation and the Board of Trustees had deliberated all of the information at an emergency meeting - MNA was given the go ahead to bid on two parcels abutting Dowagiac Woods.  The purchase was finalized in February 2009, making the sanctuary MNA’s largest in the Lower Peninsula.

MNA had to act quickly to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity and funds from MNA’s revolving loan fund were used for the purchase, which requires that MNA pay the fund back as money is raised. 

Now, MNA must raise $375,000  to cover the acquisition and endowment costs. 

How you can help
How many opportunities do you get to leave your mark on such a special place?Consider this:

• The addition to Dowagiac Woods is an incredible asset to the sanctuary and to the local residents, as well as the people who come from many miles away to visit. Michigan’s natural areas are disappearing and without direct involvement from private citizens and organizations, our unique natural areas will be lost forever. MNA focuses on preserving only the highest quality natural areas and in this way, we help preserve Michigan’s natural diversity, which results in healthier ecosystems throughout the state, even in areas not protected by MNA.

• Contingent upon funding, MNA also intends to use the addition acquisition as an opportunity to revitalize the sanctuary – building new trails in the addition and repairing the existing trail system; creating new sanctuary signage; conducting more stewardship activities to remove invasive species; and planting trees in some areas of the addition. 

• Your contribution will have a lasting impact.  MNA holds our own deeds and conservation easements, thereby guaranteeing that this special place will be there for people to enjoy now and forever. 

Click here to contribute today.  Thank you for your support!