An ecological gem that serves at the “Gateway to Empire.” Years ago when a beloved parcel on the outskirts of Empire went up for sale, the community and the Leelanau Conservancy rallied to preserve this scenic buffer which protects the village’s small town character. The land takes in four separate ecosystems, and features a much-loved beaver pond and stream where brook trout spawn and blue flag iris and cardinal flower grow in abundance. Chippewa Run is a birding paradise where dozens of species visit or live, including green herons which nest in the pine grove that was planted in 1953.
Trails
Explore a 1.5-mile trail here on an easy/rolling terrain. Our stewardship staff and volunteers have created a gorgeous trail system that leads visitors through and around some of the property’s most interesting and beautiful natural features.
History
The creek here flows into South Bar Lake, a rich hunting and fishing ground with a history of Chippewa Indian encampments. Later, settlers planted orchards on both sides of the creek, as evidenced by cherry stumps in the old meadow and an apple orchard north of the creek.
The property has since passed through many hands. In the 1960s, Bill Dowsett created a beaver pond from what was originally a wetland. Scraps of wood in the field next to the parking area are remnants from when Jerry Decker processed camp wood here and sold it at D.H. Day Campground.
Originally known as the “Gateway to Empire,” this Natural Area was established in 2000, when it was at risk of becoming a housing development. Concerned citizens teamed up with the Conservancy to preserve this local treasure.
Features
- Beaver pond, variety of reptiles and amphibians
- Wildflowers such as boneset and heal all
- Succession is claiming old apple orchard
- Majestic maple trees lining the creek
- Land contains history of Anishinaabek settlements along the creek
On a spring morning, you might hear 20 bird species singing, from the melodious meadow lark to the raucous red-winged blackbird. Deer and turkey winter in the old apple orchard; the sand pit is home to a turtle nursery and brook trout live in the stream that runs through the property.
Along the stream corridor are native dogwood, black cherry, ash, maple, and poplar. The wildflowers found at Chip Run are among some of nature’s most dramatic: blue flag iris, cardinal flower and water lilies. The ecology of this area has changed over time. Years ago, the land around the stream and pond was submerged and hosted an active beaver community. There are few beavers right now, but they may return. Meanwhile, enjoy the mallards in the cattail marsh. Coyotes cruise this Natural Area too.
Green herons nest in the pines at the property’s south end. These trees were planted in 1953 when pine plantations were widely established to prevent erosion and start the reforestation process. The Leelanau Conservancy has thinned the trees to convert this mono-culture to a more wildlife-friendly habitat.
Plants
The Chippewa Run FQA and Summary or Floristic Quality Assessment, tells the story of the types and quality of flora at Chippewa Run Natural Area.
