Sibley Praire - Michigan's rare heritage is on the brink
Matthaei Botanical Gardens auditorium, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Drinking Fountains
There is a rare ecological oasis that’s bursting with biodiversity: Sibley Prairie, the largest remaining lakeplain prairie in the whole of Michigan, a landscape found almost nowhere else on earth. Prairies like this once covered vast areas, but today almost all are gone. The prairie, woods, and wetlands in this 440-acre parcel of Sibley Prairie represent the most important conservation opportunity in Michigan today.
A coalition of folks have been working hard to save this valuable piece of nature and now, the deadline is drawing nearer. Jack Smiley, Founder and President of the Michigan Land Conservancy, will be presenting photos of this land and making a case for fast action in order to save it from development. These 440 acres were scheduled for auction in August 2025. At the last possible moment, with development looming, the Michigan Land Conservancy secured an option to purchase the property backed by a lender. Preserving Sibley Prairie will create critical public access and maintain key ecological services that mitigate effects of industrialization, urbanization, and climate change.
Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area Chapter supports this important preservation effort.
Please join us!