Location Details

Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary includes an excellent example of prairie fen and wet prairie communities in one of Michigan’s few grassland habitats. The prairie peninsula once extended from the more western tallgrass prairie region into Ohio, Indiana and southern Michigan. Since settlement, most of the historical prairie complexes were converted to agriculture and have been severely limited on the landscape over time, Goose Creek Grasslands remained.

The sanctuary lies enfolded in Michigan’s Irish Hills, in a glacial trough which showcases deposits of raw gravel left behind by retreating glacial ice sheets. The hills make this area of southern Michigan a scenic part of the state, bisected by the historic Great Sauk Prairie Trail. The trail was once an early Native American route used by settlers in the 1800s and was later adopted as the route for highway US-12 between Detroit and Chicago.

Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary extends over a three-quarters of a mile from southeast to northwest along the Goose Creek, and includes many diverse habitats. Saturated soil, wet prairie, marsh and fen habitats are all found within the sanctuary’s boundaries, allowing for a wide range of plant and animal species to exist. Prairie fens are extremely delicate areas that form where groundwater flows back to the surface through alkaline soil. Because of its rarity and size, the fen of Goose Creek Grasslands is an extremely important remnant.

Over two hundred plant species have been identified at Goose Creek Grasslands, including seven types that are classified as rare. Sedges and rushes are found among many fen plants, including buckbean and pitcher plant. Aquatic plants, such as pickerel weed and pondweeds, take advantage of the wet prairie, along with various types of goldenrods and asters. Adding color to the landscape are Goose Creek’s dozens of prairie flowers, including culver’s root, Indian paintbrush, sunflowers and Joe-Pye weed. 

Goose Creek Grasslands is also an excellent location for bird watching. Sound carries well across the flat landscape, and visitors may hear the calls of sandhill cranes, yellow warblers and willow flycatchers. Hawks are regularly observed in the skies, with eastern meadowlarks, common yellowthroat and red-wind blackbirds below. 

Planning Your Visit:
Goose Creek Nature Sanctuary is classified as a B class sanctuary by the Michigan Nature Association. This means that the sanctuary is open to MNA members and the public without restriction, but rare species or sensitive natural communities may be present and maps are recommended to assist visitors to the sanctuary. 
The blooming flowers in the fen changes from spring through fall, and a colorful range of prairie flowers are displayed in the summer.

How to Get There: 
Located in Lenawee County, off Cement City Highway across from Goose Lake.
From the north or south: Take US-127 and go east on Vicary Rd. Turn south onto Cement City Highway. 
From the east or west: Take US-12 and turn north onto Cement City Highway. Park along the road near the boat dock at Goose Lake.

For additional information, contact the MNA office at (866) 223-2231.

View the Sanctuary Fact Sheet

Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary Fact Sheet.pdf