Where to Find: Northwest corner of Meridian Township along the northern boundary of the Tower Neighborhood and the western boundary of Walnut Hills Country Club

Area: 124.8 acres (10 parcels)

Year Acquired: 2004 through 2008

Purchase Price: $2,351,561

Ranes 11.26 ac. $300,000 (2006)

Ranes 15 ac. $300,000 (2006)

Van Acker 9.2 ac. $180,000 (2004)

Van Acker 9.42 ac. $180,000 (2004)

DNR 3.16 ac. $4,261 (2002)

Whitcomb 3.91 ac. $19,000 (2008)

DNR 8.06 ac. $300 (2004)

East Lansing Schools 24 ac. $118,000 (2007)

Walnut Hills 14.72 ac. $625,000 (2005)

Walnut Hills 25 ac. $625,000 (2005)

Description: Mixed deciduous forested wetlands

Major Stewardship Activities:

o Goal is to reforest the eastern part of the preserve with native hardwood species and contain spread of invasive Buckthorn

o Planted 2,000 red pines and 1,000 white pines in the preserve

o Planted over 300 native hardwood trees protected with Blue-X tubes

o Installed a deer exclosure and planted 20-30 native hardwood trees within it

o 6 total acres of professional shrub clearing (mostly invasive shrubs)

o Regular herbicide treatments of Buckthorn, Honeysuckle, and Autumn Olive for past 5 years throughout the entire preserve focusing on the eastern portion

The Towar Woods Preserve is almost 125 acres of seven natural communities which include upland fields/scrub, wetland forests, regrowth forests, mature upland forests, logged upland forests, wetland fields/scrub, and oak groves. The land has was historically logged in some areas, but mature upland forests remain intact, containing trees over 200 years old. This preserve has several areas with high floristic and wildlife quality, and is home to a native tree plantation. Native trees species have been planted and cared for by dedicated neighbors who are helping to create a diverse forest for future generations.