Protected, owned and managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
This property features fragile and unique habitats and is considered a “sanctuary” by the Conservancy. It is situated on the shore of a shallow cove at the northern tip of Lake Bellaire. The sanctuary includes two cold water creeks that meander through a hardwood-conifer swamp before emptying into the lake.
The swamp includes dense canopy, open canopy areas, excessively wet areas, as well as some drier areas on hummocks and roots. Golden Days’ flora is considered to be of statewide natural significance. The swamp and riparian area also contribute to water quality by acting as a physical and biological filter for both runoff and groundwater entering the lake.
The shoreline is another important feature of the sanctuary. It is a transition area from the lake’s open water to the swamp. These transition ecosystems typically provide a very high density of species diversity, and in this case, provide cover and forage for a wide variety of aquatic life, including loons. These birds are a species listed as threatened both federally and by the state. Loons are highly sensitive to human disturbance during nesting and require a natural, undeveloped shoreline in which to brood and rear their young. They have utilized a nesting platform placed near the preserve’s shore annually since 1989.
Although the nature sanctuary is open to the public, its sensitive features are not suited to disturbance, so there is no parking area or trails. The Boundary Map may help visitors stay within the sanctuary. The property can be observed from a kayak, but accessing land could be hazardous and is not recommended.
To read about an important addition to this preserve, read the Golden Days Loon Nature Sanctuary chapter of our Campaign for Generations publication.