Little Forks ConservancyRiverview Natural Area
Midland, Michigan
The 419-acre Riverview Natural Area exemplifies the beauty of mid-Michigan’s landscape.
This land protection project employs a multifaceted approach to conservation which protects and improves natural habitat while providing critical access to nature for the local community. Visitors to Riverview Natural Area can see bald eagles soaring above the river, beautiful spring wildflowers, and colorful autumn leaves.
There are almost two miles of Tittabawassee River shoreline, which also provides critical floodwater storage and forested wetlands to help benefit water quality in the region.
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Fact No. 1
Situated on the Tittabawassee River, this is the largest sub-watershed of Saginaw Bay, encompassing over 2,500 square miles.
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Fact No. 2
The natural area converted marginal farmland into areas of flood storage.
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Fact No. 3
At least 98 species of birds have been identified at Riverview Natural Area, including northern flickers, Acadian flycatchers, Eastern kingbirds, wood thrushes and the blue-winged warbler.
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Fact No. 4
Rare plant species on the property include the state-threatened forked aster (Eurybia furcata), state-threatened beak grass (Diarrhena obovata), and the state-special concern American gromwell (Lithospermum latifolium).
Our Goal
There are a couple of expected outcomes for this project. Riverview Natural Area has been established since 2009 so the dual goal for the preserve is to continue protection as well as restoring the native habitat. The future restoration of the agricultural field back to a wetland will not only help to increase biodiversity- but will also serve as an important area for flood storage as it is a buffer along the Tittabawassee River.
Little Forks Conservancy
125 McDonald
Midland, MI 48640
Phone
(989) 835-4886
Email
info@littleforks.org
Website
littleforks.org