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Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow

Enjoy a walk through young northern hardwoods
Fall offers its golden beauty to visitors at Sharon Hollow
© Harold E. Malde

Why You Should Visit
The variety of wetland plant communities at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow reflects the amazing underlying geological diversity–from streams lined with silver maple, red ash and swamp white oak to swampy areas filled with black ash, American elm and yellow birch. Sandhill crane, chestnut-sided warbler, barred owl and dickcissel are a sampling of the birds you might see.

Location
Washtenaw County, Lower Peninsula

Hours
Open year-round, dawn to dusk

Conditions
The Nature Conservancy allows bow hunting for white-tail deer on this preserve to reduce an unnaturally high deer population in the area and reduce threats too many deer pose to our conservation targets. Hunting at this site is at full capacity, but if you would like to join the waiting list, contact the East Michigan office at eastmichigan@tnc.org or (517) 316-0300.

Spring peepers create an impressive display starting in late April, when the male frogs vocalize in an attempt to find a mate in the vernal breeding ponds. A vast variety of wildflowers carpet the different habitats starting in early May and flourishing throughout the summer. Migratory songbirds are also present in both the spring and fall. In the spring, be prepared for wet, muddy trails by wearing waterproof boots.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please see "Preserve Visitation Guidelines"

Directions
From Chelsea, Michigan:

  • At the junction of I-94 and M-52 take M-52 south for 7.4 miles to Pleasant Lake Road.
  • There is a flashing yellow light at the intersection. Turn right (west) on Pleasant Lake Road, follow it for 3.2 miles to Sharon Hollow Road.  
  • Turn right (north) on Sharon Hollow Road, and follow it to its end at Easudes Road.
  • Turn left (west) and travel 0.9 mile on Easudes Road. You will see the preserve sign on the left (south) side of the road.
  • Park on the south side of Easudes Road, between the preserve sign and Jacob Road. The trail into the preserve begins at the sign. Please be sure not to block any of the preserve neighbor’s driveways.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Located in the River Raisin watershed, the original 22 acres of this site were purchased in 1983. It is home to a variety of wetland communities and has a valuable geological diversity.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
After her death in 1992, the family of Nan Weston—an avid bird watcher and nature lover—chose to memorialize her by making a donation to the Conservancy to expand Sharon Hollow Preserve from 22 acres to its current 249 acres.