Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy conserves natural land and open space -- including forests, wetlands, meadows, agricultural lands, and places of scenic beauty -- to provide habitat for wildlife and to enrich the lives of people.
The Superior Greenway, located in eastern Washtenaw County, is an excellent example of how the collective efforts of many conservation-minded individuals and organizations can produce a substantial result. Click here to read more about the Superior Greenway.
The Conservancy Farm consists of beautiful woods and farm fields which lie adjacent to the Conservancy's 325-acre LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. The 79-acre farmstead includes a 1909 farmhouse, the original settler's log cabin (which dates to the 1830s), and an old post-and-beam barn where dairy cows were milked for many years. At the end of 2005, a 20 acre parcel of farm land was acquired immediately to the north, making the farm a total of 99 acres.
The farmhouse now serves as the main office for the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy. A Community Organic Garden, which was also started in 2005, has attracted strong community support and remains very productive. Over 80 acres are still being farmed by several local farmers.
Feel free to stop by any time and tour the farm grounds and community organic garden. Staff is usually available to answer your questions, so stop in and say 'hi!'
The Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve, named in honor of SMLC's founder, was purchased by SMLC in 2012. It sits at the heart of the Superior Greenway. The preserve consists of a mix of beautiful woods, wetlands and farm fields which lie adjacent to the Conservancy Farm Preserve and Washtenaw County-owned Meyer Preserve. Visitors may access the property from these two preserves or from Superior Township Hall, which sits at the northwest corner of the property.
This preserve contains the northern portion of the Superior Greenway Nature Trail, created in 2017 by SMLC and Washtenaw County. This trail connects several Nature Preserves owned by SMLC and partner organizations.
Over the course of 12 years, the Conservancy made five land purchases to consolidate 325 acres of farm land and natural habitat along Prospect Road in Superior Township. LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve now protects a wonderful cross section of southern Michigan habitat types. Trails wind throughout wetlands, meadows, agricultural lands, and, of course, wonderfully preserved LeFurge Woods to allow visitors some of the best wildlife viewing in the Detroit-Ann Arbor region.
Pittsfield Stream Corridor
Location:
Pittsfield Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan
Acquired:
1999
Size:
25.6 acres
Access:
Please contact SMLC Staff to arrange a site visit.
Description:
This parcel was donated to the SMLC in 1999. Located in a rapidly developing area just south of Ann Arbor, the donor wanted a natural place for people to walk along this tributary to the Saline River.
Visitors to Secrest Nature Preserve will find scenic vistas of neighboring farmland and a beautiful
old-growth oak woods along the loop trail where it adjoins Weatherbee Woods. The
Preserve is also an attraction for birds and other wildlife.
Donors Nancy and Bradford Perkins established the Springhill Nature Preserve in 1991. The preserve consists of thirty acres of cattail and buttonbush swamp, mature beech/maple/oak woods, and an ancient apple orchard, located near Berry and Ford Roads in the heart of Superior Township. The swamp hosts a hearty population of spring frogs and a wide variety of water fowl, while the woods are frequented by deer, foxes, owls, hawks, and coyotes.
Click here to download a video of Springhill Nature Preserve by Mark Even.
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy | 8383 Vreeland Road, Superior Township, MI 48198 | (734) 484-6565 | info@smlcland.org
The Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve, named in honor of SMLC's founder, was purchased by SMLC in 2012. It sits at the heart of the 
Over the course of 12 years, the Conservancy made five land purchases to consolidate 325 acres of farm land and natural habitat along Prospect Road in Superior Township. LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve now protects a wonderful cross section of southern Michigan habitat types. Trails wind throughout wetlands, meadows, agricultural lands, and, of course, wonderfully preserved LeFurge Woods to allow visitors some of the best wildlife viewing in the Detroit-Ann Arbor region.
Donors Nancy and Bradford Perkins established the Springhill Nature Preserve in 1991. The preserve consists of thirty acres of cattail and buttonbush swamp, mature beech/maple/oak woods, and an ancient apple orchard, located near Berry and Ford Roads in the heart of Superior Township. The swamp hosts a hearty population of spring frogs and a wide variety of water fowl, while the woods are frequented by deer, foxes, owls, hawks, and coyotes.