The aptly named Golden Preserve is one of the crown jewels of Six Rivers’ protected lands. Under Six Rivers’ protection since 2005, this 32-acre preserve is nestled in the headwaters of the Shiawassee River watershed in Springfield Township, Oakland County. Especially remarkable for the sheer ecosystem diversity it packs into a preserve of its size, Golden Preserve hosts high-quality prairie fen, two remnant prairies, an ancient oak forest, and a beaver-created pond bordered by one of the largest dams in the region.

Prairies and prairie fens alike have become rare ecosystems in Southeast Michigan. Once commonly scattered throughout the region, development and the encroachment of trees and other woody species (often overpopulated due to lack of growth-controlling fires) have led to the near-complete disappearance of these ecosystems. At Golden Preserve, the grasslands were maintained by a surprisingly beneficial partner: the nearby railroad. Historically, sparks from passing trains occasionally lit the prairies on fire, introducing a much-needed fire regimen which maintained the prairies and allowed the ecosystem to survive until it was under Six Rivers’ care.

Consistent volunteer woody workdays and staff management have maintained the preserve since then. Innumerable autumn olive and bittersweet have been cut and treated on the property to allow the native species to flourish. Prescribed burns from qualified contractors are another key method that we use to keep this preserve healthy. Golden Preserve is in need of a burn soon to help support the native flowers and pollinators that thrive there. We need your help to Fuel our Fire!”

In return for thoughtful stewardship, Golden Preserve rewards us by hosting a huge variety of plant and animal species. Blanding’s turtles and blue racers, both uncommon reptile species in the region, are commonly sighted at the preserve. White lady slippers, a tiny state-threatened orchid, dot parts of the fen. In the late spring, the prairie glows blue and orange with intermixed wild blue lupine and hoary puccoon. Eastern bluebirds and swallows fill the preserve with twittering songs during the day, and in the evening a population of big brown bats dances above the beaver pond.

While we frequently host guided hikes and events at this location, there is limited parking and access into the preserve is difficult, requiring walking along a railroad Right of Way access easement.  There are no trail systems or utilities located at Golden Preserve.

If you are interested in accessing or collecting data at the preserve, please contact Conservation and Stewardship Director, Ian Ableson, at iableson@sixirversrlc.org