South Branch Nature Preserve

Community science is a collaborative effort between scientists and those of us who are curious, concerned, and motivated to make a difference in the natural world. The scientific work undertaken with the help of the general public is invaluable as these large, volunteer-based networks make it possible for scientists to accomplish projects that would otherwise be too expensive or time-consuming through traditional means.

Importantly, community science encourages public participation and brings science within reach for those who are not (or not-yet) scientists, and builds connections between people with shared interests of advancing knowledge, understanding, stewardship, and engagement with the natural world.

iNaturalist is a world-wide community science information sharing platform that helps us more fully understand the properties we protect through observations from people like you.

PERMITTED ACTIVITIES

The preserve is open from dawn until dusk. Aside from hiking, snowshoeing, bird watching and many other passive activities, the following activities are allowed at this preserve.

• Dog walking is allowed, but must always be kept on a leash. Here’s why.
• Educational use is welcome, but we ask our guests to be mindful that they are visiting the homes of the plants and animals whose lives depend on the land’s protection and health. If you would like to lead a group hike at this preserve, please contact us to make sure that the date is open and there are no conflicting uses on the site.
• Hunting is allowed, but regulations vary. Please refer to the hunting rules tab on the page of the preserve you’d like to hunt before you go. Trails are not closed during hunting season.
• Fishing in accordance with state regulations. Please take care to clean up your litter, and follow the recommendations below to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. When ice fishing, shanties are permitted but must be removed daily (seasonal/permanent shanties are prohibited). Snowmobiles and ATVs are also prohibited.

Help Us Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Boats and anglers can significantly contribute to the spread of invasive species in our waterways. Every time you launch into or leave a body of water, please do the following to prevent their spread:

• Clean boats, trailers, and equipment and remove all mud, debris, and aquatic plant material
• Drain water from watercraft, including live wells, bilges, and ballast tanks
• Dry watercraft and equipment thoroughly
• Dispose of bait in the trash–please do not release bait into the water!

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

• Camping
• Fires
• Electric bikes
• Seasonal/Permanent ice fishing shanties
• Commercial harvesting of ANY species
• ORVs
• Drone usage 
• Motorized boating
• Metal detecting (including the use of magnets in waterways)
• Trapping 
• Geocaching (without prior permission from GTRLC)
• Mountain biking 
• Foraging: Removal of natural features, plants or animals, outside of allowable hunting seasons, is prohibited. This includes firewood, ramps (wild onions or leeks), fiddleheads of ferns, and all native plants that are dug, cut, or damaged upon harvest. Common species of fruits, like apples or raspberries, nuts, and mushrooms that are growing in abundance, may be collected in small quantities, by hand, for personal use only. Commercial harvest of plants, animals or mushrooms is not allowed.
• Placement of items or structures of any kind: For the enjoyment of all users and the preservation of natural spaces, we ask that visitors take only memories and leave only footprints. Placement of memorial items, painted rocks, fairy houses, geocaches, or the construction of benches, bridges, teepees, or other man-made items using natural materials is not allowed.
• Private events (including weddings)

Please contact us directly at (231) 929-7911 if you have any questions, notice a maintenance need, or witness an inappropriate activity taking place on a preserve.

If you would like to request use of or conduct research on this property please Contact Us.

For South Branch Nature Preserve

Please respect all forms of wildlife, your fellow sportsmen, and others that visit and enjoy the preserve. This preserve is a multi-use area open to the public on a year-round basis for activities such as hiking, nature study, bird watching, and cross-country skiing. Please keep this in mind at all times when hunting the preserve.

The Conservancy has rules specific to this preserve for hunting and trapping. Beyond those rules set forth by GTRLC, the rules, regulations and seasons established by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources broadly apply. All persons hunting or fishing on this property are liable to prosecution for noncompliance to the rules and regulations stated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. MDNR Conservation Officers are requested by GTRLC to patrol its preserves. Michigan Conservation Officers are fully commissioned Peace Officers and are empowered to arrest for all violations of Michigan’s laws. The conservation officers’ primary duties are the enforcement of natural resource and environmental protection laws. MDNR rules and regulations can be found at: www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Certain types of hunting are allowed in accordance with state regulations: 

• Deer hunting; all forms.
• Small game, waterfowl and turkey hunting. When waterfowl hunting, GTRLC prohibits targeting of coots, common moorhens/gallinules and rail species.
• No trapping.

• Hunters are responsible to know all rules that are specific to this preserve.  
• GTRLC reserves the right to deny or revoke hunting permission at its sole discretion.
• Unless otherwise noted, rules regulating hunting at this preserve are the same as those set forth by the MDNR, including special hunting seasons available to youth and hunters with disabilities.
• Permanent deer blinds, tree stands, or duck blinds are prohibited. Screw-in steps and other devices that penetrate the bark of a tree are prohibited. Portable stands must be labeled with the owner’s name and address such that it is easily visible from below at ground level. Stands can not be installed prior to September 1 and must be removed by the day following the close of the last deer season in the area. The Conservancy has no responsibility for tree stands, blinds or other items placed on this property.
• The cutting of shooting lanes, or cutting or destruction of brush, trees or other plants for any purpose is prohibited.
• The release of live animals is prohibited.
• Hunting within 450 feet of any occupied building, or within 100 feet of any maintained parking area or recreational structure is prohibited.
• Trails: Due to the meandering design of the trails on the preserve, please familiarize yourself with the location of all trails and other structures before hunting. Discharge of any firearm from or across trails is prohibited.
• Motorized vehicles, camping, and open or contained fires are prohibited.
• Parking is only allowed in designated parking areas and within the right of way of a maintained road such that no vegetation is harmed.
• There is no charge or fee for hunting on this preserve.

For more information, please visit our Property Rules and Hunting Regulations page.