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Places We Protect

Ives Road Fen Preserve

Michigan

Summer wildflowers, grasses and plants in bloom at the prairie fen of Ives Road Fen Preserve.
Ives Road Prairie Fen An alkaline spring-fed prairie blends into a floodplain forest to create a globally significant fen habitat at Ives Road Fen Preserve. © Jen Moore

Wet, spring-fed fens blend into floodplain forest to create the globally-significant habitat known as Ives Road Fen Preserve!

Overview

Description

Fens are unusual and increasingly rare. The water from this fen flows through the thick grasses of the preserve, which help to filter the water before it empties into the River Raisin at the preserve's eastern edge. The River Raisin is one of the best warm-water rivers in the state, and three of the four local communities downstream draw all of their drinking water from this river.

The preserve has been impacted by invasive species like glossy buckthorn. In the two decades since buckthorn removal efforts began, staff and volunteers have removed more than 2.5 million adult buckthorn stems, spot-burned 10 million buckthorn seedlings and burned nearly 400 brush piles of adult buckthorn shrubs. In 2010, we celebrated the removal of the last populations of adult glossy buckthorn from the preserve, a monumental milestone.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Pets are not permitted.

Highlights

Wildflowers, migratory species, rare plants, hiking

Size

703 acres

Explore our work in Michigan

Exploring the Preserve

The activities below will help you explore this preserve and enhance your connection with nature—from the comfort of your home or while onsite.

  • A person crouches down to examine green plant life while on a hike at Nan Weston Nature Preserve in Michigan.

    iNaturalist

    Help our scientists and restoration managers keep track of the species in our nature preserves by using iNaturalist. You can record your observations, help others identify species and view other users' identifications. Learn More

  • More Ways to Explore

    We offer a variety of ways to explore including geocaching, webinars, events and volunteer opportunities. You can even request a permit to use TNC land for scientific research! Learn More

Photos from Ives Road Fen

Tag your preserve visits on Instagram with #TNCMichigan to have your photos featured here!

A person cuts back invasive species in Ives Road Fen Preserve during an autumn work day.
A wildflower grows on the Ives Road Fen Preserve in Michigan.
A close up of a rabbit at Ives Road Fen Preserve in Michigan.
A group of people walk through a green forest.
A person cuts back invasive species in Ives Road Fen Preserve during an autumn work day.

Volunteering: A volunteer works at Ives Road Fen Preserve in autumn. © Bekah Wuchner/TNC

A wildflower grows on the Ives Road Fen Preserve in Michigan.

Wildflowers: Ives Road Fen is home to an abundance of wildflowers. © Leann Heywood/TNC

A close up of a rabbit at Ives Road Fen Preserve in Michigan.

Wildlife: The fen provides a home to a variety of wildlife. © Kevin Kluczek

A group of people walk through a green forest.

Spring at Ives: In the spring, see woodland wildflowers and herptiles. © Kim Steinberger/TNC

Plan Your Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This preserve is open year round. A fine chorus of spring peepers can be heard calling in March. The splendor of wildflowers and prairie grasses can be enjoyed from June to August. Catch beautiful formations of migratory birds as they arrive in the spring and leave in the fall.

  • Be aware of poison ivy, poison sumac, chiggers and stinging nettle at this site. Because of the wet and uneven ground conditions, wear waterproof boots with ankle support. Make sure to pack water, bug spray and sunscreen.

  • Head out on this 3.20-mile loop trail near Tecumseh, Michigan. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 21 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

    Trail Map

    • Foot access for hiking, snowshoeing, birdwatching, etc.
    • Educational studies
    • Geocaching (see list of TNC-approved geocache sites) 
    • Hunting (with TNC-issued permit and Michigan hunting license) 

  • For the safety of both the habitats at this preserve and visiting guests, we ask that you please follow the rules listed below.

    • No motorized and non-motorized vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, off-road vehicles (ORVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, snowmobiles, amphibious vehicles and bicycles. All visitors must park at the gate and walk in
    • No pets
    • No hunting or trapping without a TNC-issued permit
    • No removal of trees, plants or animals (alive or dead)
    • No removal of rocks, water or other non-organic materials
    • No camping, bonfires, fireworks or other fires.

  • The Nature Conservancy allows bow hunting for white-tail deer on this preserve to reduce threats too many deer pose to our conservation targets and to ensure that the preserve does not become a “refuge” for deer during the hunting season.

    In order to be eligible to hunt at this preserve, hunters are required to receive a permit from TNC, follow TNC hunting program rules and comply with all local, state and federal laws and ordinances governing hunting activities, including obtaining all required government licenses or permits. For more information, please visit our Deer Hunting in Michigan page.

  • Have questions about the preserve? Contact us at miplaces@tnc.org. 

Three people stand in Ives Road Fen on a misty morning.
Ives Road Fen Thanks to the work of thousands of dedicated volunteers, Ives Road Fen is flourishing. © Bekah Wuchner/TNC

Background

How do you protect an important habitat that has been overrun by invasive species? You don’t do it alone. When TNC established the Ives Road Fen Preserve in 1987, it was infested. Its native species were being smothered by an invasive plant called glossy buckthorn. What followed is a 20-year saga that continues to this day. At the heart of this story? An exceptional group of volunteers. Keep Reading

Spotlight on Nature (3:29) Historically, most of the land in this preserve had been impacted by human activity like agriculture, sand and gravel mining and drainage ditches. However, thanks to thousands of volunteer hours over the last two decades, Ives Road Fen is now largely restored to its natural state.

Keep Exploring

From shifting sand dunes to granite bald mountains, explore our preserves and reserves spread across the state of Michigan.

Find More Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

See the Complete Map

Make a Lasting Impact

You have the power to make a difference for the Great Lakes State and for our planet. Your support will help fund groundbreaking science and conservation activities that protect the lands and waters you love.

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Three people stand in Ives Road Fen Preserve on an early morning. The sun reflects off of mist in the fen, giving the area a glow.

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