Located in western Benzie County, the Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve offers a peaceful, scenic setting for visitors to quietly explore nature. With nearly a mile of undeveloped shoreline along its namesake lake and a mix of northern wet meadow, shrub swamp and upland forest habitats, the preserve provides critical refuge for diverse wildlife. It is also home to remnant marl pits—once mined for agriculture—that are now thriving with waterfowl such as Blue-winged Teal and Bufflehead, as well as multiple turtle species and occasional otters.
Today, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is working to install three new viewing platforms on the “island” located deep within the preserve. These thoughtfully designed platforms include two over the water’s edge and one elevated structure, providing improved views of the preserve’s wetlands, marl pits and wildlife, as well as surrounding protected lands.
These improvements aim to enhance visitors’ experiences by offering unique viewing opportunities that have otherwise been unavailable. The island’s soft, wet soils make accessing this area challenging, and in some cases, unsafe, limiting opportunities for people to fully appreciate the preserve’s unique habitats. The new platforms will not only provide safe, stable places for viewing nature, but will also concentrate foot traffic to protect this area’s sensitive ecosystems.
This project is dedicated to the memory of Dori Turner, whose deep commitment to land conservation continues to benefit our region. Years ago, Dori and her family donated conservation easements on the Watervale peninsula, permanently protecting over a mile of shoreline on Lake Michigan and Lower Herring Lake. By supporting these improvements, you are helping to extend her legacy of stewardship.