Encompassing about 25,000 acres across five counties in southeast Michigan, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks contains some of the largest and most diverse greenspaces in our area. Open prairies, shady forests, and lively wetlands are home to an incredible array of plants and wildlife and provide prime opportunities for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, nature study, and a host of other outdoor activities.
The Metroparks Natural Resources Department oversees and manages undeveloped land throughout the 13 Metroparks. The goal of the Natural Resources Department is to protect and restore significant elements of natural diversity while balancing ecological stewardship with compatible recreational uses.
The natural diversity of the Metroparks is reflected in the number of unique habitats, animals, and plants found throughout the parks. For example, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are home to remnants of the disappearing Great Lakes coastal marshes; Kensington, Stony Creek, and Indian Springs host healthy populations of the rare Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake; and a population of mullein foxglove at Oakwoods is one of only two known in the state of Michigan. The Natural Resources Department actively protects and manages these precious resources, often calling upon volunteers to lend a helping hand.
Learn more about land, water, and stewardship at the Metroparks.
This list contains medium and large scale projects exclusively. Normal maintenance activities such as small scale garlic mustard control are not listed in an effort to keep the list manageable.
Lake St. Clair Marsh Bird Surveys Conduct surveys in the restored North Marsh and Point Rosa Marsh for habitat dependent species. Performed yearly in June.
Oakwoods Grassland Bird Surveys Throughout; survey for grassland birds as grasslands are restored to track community changes. Performed yearly in June.
Stony Creek Grassland Bird Surveys Throughout; survey for grassland birds as grasslands are restored to track community changes. Performed yearly in June.
The Natural Resources Department frequently collaborates with government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit groups in order to restore habitat and advance ecological research in southeast Michigan. Here are some of our partners.