Winterfield Pines

Winterfield Pines Natures Sanctuary is 118 private acres of diverse habitat in the northwest
corner of Clare County, Michigan. The property falls within the Muskegon River watershed, with
nearly one mile of the West Branch of the Clam River winding through its center or along its
border. A portion of the property is actively farmed. Much of the property is now natural and wild. Trails (animal- and human-made) lace the terrain.

The sanctuary is set up to encourage its natural parts to become mature, wild habitat, managed
by Mother Nature; continuously changing. Trees that fall decay on the forest floor where they
lay. New growth springs up in species determined by Mother Nature. Everything lives and dies
naturally according to Mother Nature’s plan. In human terms, it is a multigenerational film, with
each curious human able to see a brief episode in a much longer natural time cycle.
The property includes several acres of red pines, planted in rows as crop trees during the
1960s, now left to let Mother Nature fold them into her natural plan. A mid-20th century gravel pit,
decommissioned in 2010, now makes its long journey back to natural habitat. One corner of the
quarry is home to a small, human-made, spring-fed pond, occasionally a landing spot for
waterfowl, often used by humans to fish and swim in.

The Sanctuary includes natural grassland, wetlands, tag alder swamp, and forest in various
stages of maturity - made up of a remarkably diverse assortment of native tree species. It is
home to a number of large, old-growth white pines.

Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary is bordered on its north and east sides by the Winterfield
Conservation Club, on its west by a classic family farm and on its south by additional privately-
held moderate-size land parcels. Many species of wild animals roam freely throughout area.
It is important to remember that humans are also a species that inhabit Michigan’s wild lands. At
Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary we are committed to fitting human activity into the natural
order and control of Mother Nature, with human interference restricted to areas of existing trails
and clearings. The Sanctuary includes venues for human participation: eight rustic campsites, a
hand-built, electricity-free guest log cabin, and a hand-built electricity-free treehouse. The
treehouse is a part-time home to the Sanctuary’s caretaker, Dan Ellens.

​