Brauer Preserve lovely location for winter walk

The Manchester area is home to 7 Washtenaw County nature preserves. Located in the north-east corner of Freedom Township on Parker Road, the 226-acre Brauer Preserve is is a lovely location for a winter walk.

The county purchased the 226-acres encompassed by the preserve in 2003. It includes forest, swamp, marsh, and a small lake. Notably, during warmer months the swamp around the lake boosts an impressive fern community. The preserve also includes conservation management plans which allow for the continuation of farming of 85 acres of land in the preserve. Conservation farming practices include crop rotation, establishment of field borders and buffer strips to protect waterways, and minimum use of fertilizer and pesticides.

The parking area is on the right (west) side of Parker Road, approx. 0.2 miles south of Waters Road (and approx. 0.7 miles north of Ellsworth Road).

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.