The Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve is located on the eastern shoreline of Muskegon Lake, adjacent to the mouth of the Muskegon River in North Muskegon, Michigan. The Preserve is home to trails, the Al Bell Wetland Trail, a paved bike and walking trail, the Ron Brown Education Pavilion and the 1⁄4 mile long Wilder River Walk. Activities include bird watching, fishing, jogging, walking, biking, wildlife viewing and dog walking. The Preserve also serves as an outdoor classroom for teachers and students from the local school districts, in their study of wetlands and forest environmental issues.

The Wilder River Walk is in need of repair! The boardwalk was built on dry land in 2007 along the shore of the Muskegon River. Over the years however, the level of the river and Muskegon Lake have risen dramatically and washed away a portion of the original riverbank causing a 250-foot section of the walkway to sink and slope towards the river. That section of the River Walk is now temporarily closed until repairs can be made. Please help us reopen the River Walk by donating today. Click on the link below and in the In Memory Of, please enter Wilder River Walk or by sending a check to the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve at P.O. Box 5038, North Muskegon, MI 49445-0038.

The Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve is managed by the Muskegon Environmental Research & Education Society (MERES), a 503 (c) nonprofit organization. Many people do not realize that the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve is not owned by the city, county or state. The Preserve is a privately owned 503 (c) nonprofit organization, with environmental education and research as its priorities.

We are 100 percent supported by donations and almost everything we do is done by volunteers. There is no paid staff. Because the Preserve is privately owned, we are not supported by local or county taxes. Your donation will go towards the replacement of damaged boards on the Wilder River Walk and the Al Bell Trail, planting of berry producing native shrubs and native wildflowers to attract and sustain wildlife, planting native trees in habitat preservation areas of the Preserve and supporting ongoing monitoring and removal of invasive species. It will also help us continue providing environmental education to the community.

Donations can be made by clicking on the Click to Donate button below or by sending a check to the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve at P.O. Box 5038, North Muskegon, MI 49445-0038.

Thank you for your support of the MLNP!!

Our Donors