MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP
Mesic Southern Forest in Crane Pond State Game Area
With Jesse Lincoln, Conservation Associate – Ecologist
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Saturday April 27, 2024, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Mesic southern forest is an American beech- and sugar maple-dominated forest distributed south of the climatic tension zone and found on flat to rolling topography with predominantly loam soils. The natural disturbance regime is characterized by gap-phase dynamics; frequent, small windthrow gaps allow for the regeneration of shade-tolerant, canopy species. Historically, mesic southern forest occurred as a matrix system, dominating vast areas of rolling to level, loamy uplands of the Great Lakes region. These forests were multi-generational, with old-growth conditions lasting many centuries.
Crane Pond State Game Area consists of over 4,000 acres of a diverse mixture of cover types from upland mixed deciduous forests, lowland hardwoods, wetlands, and prairie restoration areas. The topography is rolling in nature with mesic, sandy loam soils, a 150-acre prairie unit, as well as many forest openings.
Hiking will be slow and on fairly steep forested hillsides with no trails. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested. The trip difficulty level is rated moderate but may be difficult in a few places.
Jesse Lincoln is an ecologist and conducts vegetation surveys of state game areas to identify &
inventory important natural areas, document rare plants, accurately age trees, and integrate these elements into wildlife management plans. With MNFI since 2010, he has always been interested in plants, factors that influence where they grow, and their interaction with the wildlife that relies on them. He enjoys identifying areas that have not been thoroughly botanized, collecting plants that have not been documented there, and submitting the collections to universities to contribute to accurate distribution maps. He also enjoys finding remnants of high-quality natural areas and working to get them protected. Exploring forests and fields as a child, his fascination for the natural world was encouraged by teachers. He earned a BS and MS in Biology from Grand Valley State University and enjoys nature photography and wandering around the state with his wife and son.
Directions The forest is on Kinney St. near Jones MI in Cass County. The coordinates are 41.9618279, -85.8347091. From the Kalamazoo area, take US-131 south. Just north of Three Rivers MI, turn right (west) on to Hoffman Rd. Go 9.8 miles to Patterson Hill Rd. Turn left (south) and go 0.5 miles to Kinney St. Turn right (west) and go 0.8 miles. Park on the side of the road.