- Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve
The preserve is located on East Muggy Road in Catawba Island Township. The property covers approximately 21 acres of land and 18 acres of submerged land along West Harbor. Approximately 7.7 acres of the property, formerly in agricultural use, was planted in June 2019 to shortgrass prairie /pollinator meadow habitat.
Other areas within the property will be restored to woodland, wetland, and scrub-shrub habitat. Approximately 8.2 acres of the property has large cottonwood and maple trees spaced to provide an open under-story with plenty of shade. This property is owned by the Black Swamp Conservancy but we partner to manage the public use access. This includes a mowed hiking trail, a fully accessible kayak and canoe launch, and a pavilion.Driving DirectionsDirections from Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Travel east (left) on SR 2. Take the 53 North Exit, travel 2.2 miles north and turn left onto Muggy Road, the preserve is 1/4 mile ahead on the right. This is approximately a 40 minute drive.