The Lillian Anderson Arboretum, a 140-acre preserve managed by Kalamazoo College’s Larry J. Bell ’80 Environmental Stewardship Center (ESC), encompasses marshes, meadows, pines plantations, and second-growth deciduous forests. It serves as a valued resource for thousands of visitors each year who come to study, recreate, reflect, and learn. The ESC staff, alongside a dedicated student trail crew, maintains the trails throughout the preserve. Recognizing the importance of the Arboretum, several local funders supported key projects and enhancements in the 2023-24 academic year, enabling significant progress toward accessibility and land management goals.
Project Updates
In an ongoing effort to enhance conservation and preservation efforts at the Arboretum, the ESC engaged in several initiatives during this period:
Sheep Grazing Research
Continuing their commitment to sustainable land management, the ESC partnered with Tending Tilth LLC, a MAEAP-verified business, to host two interns over the summers of 2023 and 2024. This collaboration, involving the Kalamazoo College Biology Department, successfully completed two years of sheep grazing research along the Powerline Trail.
Pollinator Habitat Research
The area around the Powerline Trail serves as a crucial site for the ongoing Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Project, where the team focuses on invasive species management, pollinator surveys, and native plantings. Newly installed Chronolog photo stations in this area invite visitors to support this work by uploading their photos of the habitat, ultimately recording and tracking environmental change in real time.
Land Management Plan
Alongside these efforts, the ESC staff have been working closely with the Kalamazoo Nature Center to develop a comprehensive land management plan that will guide the stewardship of the Arboretum in the coming years. The ongoing support and shared expertise of the Kalamazoo Nature Center will be vital to achieving our long-term sustainability goals.
Physical Improvements
The team at the ESC has undertaken several physical improvements to enhance the overall visitor experience at the Arboretum. These efforts reflect a commitment to ensuring that all visitors can safely and easily access the natural beauty of the preserve while enjoying the various amenities the space offers.
New Welcome Sign
A new welcome sign was installed at the base of the island at the entrance to the parking lot from M-43, providing clear confirmation of the location for visitors, even though there is no signage directly on the main road. The sign is part of a broader effort to improve navigation and create a more inviting first impression for all who visit.
Entrance Trail Upgrades
To further improve accessibility, the entrance trail from the parking lot to the Batts Pavilion was re-graded and resurfaced with a new layer of asphalt millings by DeYoung Landscaping, a local contractor. This significant upgrade has increased the usability of the trail for both the College community and the public.
New Well Installation
In addition to the trail improvements, a new well was installed in fall 2023 by Foune Well Drilling and officially opened in spring 2024. offering visitors fresh drinking water for the first time since summer 2021. The water, available through a hand pump, is regularly tested by ESC staff in collaboration with the Kalamazoo County Health Department to ensure safety and enjoyment for all who visit.
Batts Pond Bridge Replacement
A key milestone was the replacement of the Batts Pond bridge, a long-held goal following the major flooding events of 2017-21. With invaluable support from the Kalamazoo Nature Center and volunteers from Stryker Corporation, a new floating bridge was installed in spring 2024. This innovative design can adapt to changing water levels, providing both safety and durability in an area prone to regular flooding, as confirmed by historic aerial photos.
Acknowledgements
On behalf of the Lillian Anderson Arboretum and the Environmental Stewardship Center, Kalamazoo College would like to express their sincere gratitude to the local funders whose generous support made these important projects and enhancements possible.
- Consumers Energy Foundation
- ENNA Foundation
- Irving S. Gilmore Foundation
- Kalamazoo Rotary Club
- Seminary Hill Sustainability Internship
- Stryker
- Zoetis
Connect with us
For questions about this project, ongoing needs at the Lillian Anderson Arboretum, or to get involved, please contact:
Sara Stockwood
Director, Larry J. Bell ’80 Environmental Stewardship Center & Lillian Anderson Arboretum
sara.stockwood@kzoo.edu
Maria Newhouse
Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations
maria.newhouse@kzoo.edu
