On July 20, 2023, HeadWaters Land Conservancy opens to the public their new trail system at Lake Avalon Nature Preserve. Located on County Road 459, across from the Michigan DNR public access site on Avalon Lake, this 20-acre preserve was acquired in 1999 with the help of local residents and members of the Avalon Lake Property Owners Association.

Over the past couple of months, volunteers and staff have cut and raked the trails, established trail markers, placed a fence and gate, put in a parking area, and installed a new preserve sign. Tom Schupbach, HeadWaters’ board member, helped with the trail installation and shared, “A trail system has been a part of the management plan for this property since the beginning. It is great to see this project completed and community members already out here enjoying the trail.” The trail takes visitors through a hardwood forest of primarily quaking aspen, red maple, red and white oak, and red and white pine. Even though the property was logged prior to its acquisition by HeadWaters, visitors will walk past legacy trees which escaped the harvest and are now over a hundred years old.

HeadWaters Land Conservancy manages 8 nature preserves and protects almost 13,000 acres of land across their 11-county service area. The mission of HeadWaters Land Conservancy is to protect the natural diversity and beauty of northeast Michigan by preserving significant land and scenic areas and fostering appreciation and understanding of the environment. HeadWaters Land Conservancy serves 11 counties: Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon.