Sanctuaries | MNA Every Sanctuary Has a Story...
Thornapple Lake Nature Sanctuary Thornapple Lake Nature Sanctuary is one of MNA’s many inlandlake sanctuaries, protecting roughly 60 acres of lakeshore where the Thornapple River enters the Thornapple Lake in Barry County. The densely forested sanctuary would be a tempting destination for hiking and exploration if not for the wet terrain making trails impractical. This type of habitat, which floods every spring, is known as a floodplain forest (see feature story pg. 20). The Thornapple River, a major tributary of the Grand River which drains into Lake Michigan, travels nearly 90 miles through primarily agricultural land, and is disrupted at several points by man-made dams built to control its frequent flooding. From the tributary east of Charlotte until it joins Thornapple Lake, the river flows freely though with the appearance of a creek. This floodplain forest area is therefore an important part of the landscape. Floodplain forests serve an important role in maintaining natural water quality as pollutants get filtered out of the floodwaters through the soil. They also provide critical habitat for several rare birds, such as Baltimore Oriole, Cerulean Warbler and American Woodcock. The saturated soils of floodplain forests thaw earlier in the spring than surrounding soils, creating a unique opportunity for early migratory birds to find food on their way to summer breeding grounds. The area around the lake, however, has become heavily developed over the years with waterfront homes and neighborhoods that intersect the shoreline. The development impacts the ability of waterfowl and other species to use the lake for feeding and breeding. Concerned with the overdevelopment of the lakeshore, Richard and
Rosemary Shuster donated the land that has become Thornapple Lake Nature Sanctuary in 2009. Many of MNA’s Nature Sanctuaries are known for being incredible destinations for hiking with spectacular overlooks, abundant spring wildflowers, and more. But sanctuaries like Thornapple Lake are a reminder that prioritizing the protection of Michigan’s rich natural heritage is just as worthwhile.
Thornapple Lake Nature Sanctuary is most easily accessed by water, its low banks provide ample opportunity to view the abundance of life on the forest floor from your canoe or kayak. Photo by Lauren Ross. 14
michigan nature| winter 2022