Meridian Township’s Land Preservation Program was established in 2000 to acquire, preserve, and protect natural areas throughout the Township that have unique or special natural features. Now the gift of permanence and the knowledge of those features will always be available for current and future generations to visit, appreciate, and enjoy.

The Land Preservation Program is supported by a township millage, passed by township residents in November, 2000. 956 acres of the township’s most beautiful, scenic and natural lands have been acquired through twenty five (25) total properties comprised of forty four (44) acquisitions. The original goal of the program set in 2000 was to acquire 600 acres, or 10% of available land.

Stewardship and land management programs for each individual parcel are currently being developed. The management plans outline the stewardship activities necessary to protect or restore the site.

Properties come into the program through fee simple purchase, donation, or a combination of the two. The Land Preservation Advisory Board continues to seek ecologically valuable woodlands, wetlands, and other green and open spaces that will provide a lasting benefit to our community. If you own property or would like to recommend property to the Advisory Board, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 517.853.4600.

Land Preserve Map for 2023

Where to find:  East and west sides of Van Atta Road, approximately 1/4 mile south of Tihart Road

Area:  108.9 acres (2 parcels)

Year Acquired:  2006

Purchase Price:  $1,650,000

Description:  Former farm; riparian and lowland hardwoods, shrub-scrub and emergent wetlands, and savannah grasslands and woodlands (active management areas).

Major Stewardship Activities: Restoration of grasslands funded in part by U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), regular maintenance of the grassland through prescribed ecological burns and targeted invasive species treatments.

The Davis-Foster Preserve is almost 109 acres of 8 different natural communities: open grass field, mixed scrub-shrub and emergent wetland, mature forested wetland, scrubby forested wetland, mixed emergent and scrub-shrub wetland, emergent wetland, and an upland forest. The land has a historical barn that is over 100 years old still standing that was once part of the Davis family agricultural homestead. This preserve is good for birdwatching with reports of the rare Henslow’s sparrow, Grasshopper sparrow, Woodcock, and several other species.

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