Ott Biological Preserve

Explore the majestic splendor of the Ott Biological Preserve, Calhoun County's "hidden jewel" located just north of Marshall Michigan a Terrific Town, in Emmett Township. Approximately 300 acres of natural habitats that have been shaped extensively by glaciers the preserve includes two spring fed kettle lakes, Brigham Lake and Hall Lake, as well as the east edge of Dexter Lake, wet peaty lowlands and dry, sandy uplands. The uplands include two prominent eskers (glacial ridges), one traveling nearly the length of the property from southwest to northeast.

Currently, the primary access to the preserve is a parking area on the south side of the property at the end of Arlington Street. Once parked here, visitors may hike north along a trail through a young forest to a well-developed upland hardwood forest. This is where the Sutarek Loop begins (see map below) and continues into the forest north to a cleared area. The east esker trail takes you further north approximately 1,000 feet along an esker that rises as much as 20 feet above the hardwood forests on either side. This esker drops off to lowland hardwoods and black muck. A boardwalk has been constructed to allow visitors to view the wetlands up close.

For more www.cccd.net/departments/parks_ott.htm