Spring Valley Nature Preserve

Site

The long, irregular-shaped site is tucked into a residential neighborhood and has a very small creek running through it. One boundary climbs a woodland hill; the other abuts the street. The land is primarily woodland and had a dense undergrowth of non-native shrubs at the time of acquisition.

History

Neighbors and enjoy this land for its unusual scenic and wildlife resource within an urban, residential neighborhood. These property owners purchased the land and then turned it over to Greenbelt Land Trust for stewardship and protection.

A volunteer biologist inventoried Spring Valley Nature Preserve and found 52 species of native plants in this small plot, including Michigan Lily, Solomon’s Seal, Wild Sweet William, Dutchman’s Breeches, and Green Dragon. The biologist noted the large amount of Bush Honeysuckle and Euonymus (wintercreeper) which, once removed, would allow native species to reestablish.

Activity

Spring Valley Nature Preserve benefits from strong neighborhood involvement. Turn-out is good at regularly scheduled workdays. Following a successful opening up of the woodland area, Greenbelt Land Trust has planted native shrubs along the street border, including: ninebark, polemonium, celandine poppy, and St. John’s Wort.