Monarch Meadows

Monarch Meadows is a 64-acre conservation property located along the I-94 corridor in Chesterfield Township. Once used as a septic lagoon and dumpsite, the property is now the focus of a long-term ecological restoration effort that will turn it into habitat for local pollinators, including the famous Monarch butterfly. Through this restoration, Monarch Meadows will provide critical habitat for wildlife, benefit the water quality of nearby waterways, and reinforce crucial wetland services historically provided by this land.

In 2024, Six Rivers Land Conservancy received funding through a Department of Defense grant and the Consumers Energy Foundation Planet Award to purchase a conservation easement on Monarch Meadows and begin the restoration process. Chesterfield Township continues to own the property and will maintain the existing trail loop, allowing residents to experience the site while observing its transformation over time. The conservation easement, permanently held by Six Rivers, ensures that the property will remain protected from future development, preserving its ecological value for generations to come.

Restoring a landscape of this size requires careful planning and multiple years of management. Since restoration work began, crews have focused on removing invasive plant species and preparing the site for the establishment of native vegetation. The first treatments targeting invasive phragmites and reed canary grass were completed in the fall of 2024, followed by the initial mowing of the fields during the winter of 2025. Additional cool-season grass treatments were conducted during the summer of 2025 to reduce existing vegetation and prepare the site for native seeding. A second round of invasive species treatment followed that fall.

Restoration efforts continued throughout 2026 with additional mowing, continued control of invasive plants, and the removal of woody invasive species along the drainage corridor. In the spring, volunteers joined Six Rivers to help seed portions of the property with native plants, an important milestone in returning Monarch Meadows to a healthy and diverse ecosystem.

Work will continue throughout the remainder of 2026 as restoration crews complete another full mowing of both the north and south fields and conduct a third treatment for invasive phragmites and reed canary grass. One of the most significant phases of the project is scheduled for October 2026, when large-scale native seeding will take place across both fields. This diverse seed mix will establish the foundation for a resilient prairie and wetland ecosystem that will continue to mature over the coming years.

Community involvement remains an important part of the Monarch Meadows restoration. In partnership with Macomb County Planning & Economic Development (MCPED), Six Rivers will host a community tree planting event in October 2026. Volunteers will help establish native trees that will strengthen wildlife habitat, increase biodiversity, and support the long-term success of the restoration project. Additional event details will be shared as the planting date approaches.

The Monarch Meadows Restoration Project is made possible through the collaboration of Chesterfield Township, Consumers Energy Foundation, Selfridge Air Force Base, Selfridge Air National Guard, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Together, these partners are restoring a once-degraded property into a permanently protected natural landscape that will provide environmental, recreational, and educational benefits for the community for decades to come.

As the restoration progresses, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the existing trail, observe the changing landscape, and follow along as Monarch Meadows continues its transformation into a vibrant natural area. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for monarchs while visiting the property.

In 2024, we partnered with Arsenal Handicraft to create timeless Monarch Meadows artwork, and they delivered! You can bring a piece of Monarch Meadows with you by visiting our Bonfire storefront, where you’ll find t-shirts and canvas tote bags perfect for trips to the farmers market and beyond. Every purchase directly supports our work to restore and protect monarch meadows.