Thanks to Good News Network for this:
Who would ever guess that right outside Detroit a native forest has stood undisturbed for centuries—but now, the 300 year-old trees are gaining more respect.
The Old-Growth Forest Network, dedicated to protecting trees in the U.S., has officially recognized 32 acres of centuries-old forest near one of the largest metropolitan areas in America.
The grove is found in Humbug Marsh, which is just south of the Welcome Center in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, remarkably located only 20 miles from downtown Detroit.
The Old-Growth Forest Network aims to locate and designate at least one protected forest in every county in the U.S. where a native forest can be sustained. Overall, that would include about 75% of the counties nationwide.
The oaks in the Humbug Marsh near the Detroit River have avoided development and grown free for centuries.
“We know through historical records that the Humbug Marsh property has been relatively untouched for about 300 years,” Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge park ranger Alex Gilford told WDET-TV News.
Recognition of the southeast Michigan tract is another victory for a woodland area that has had to survive previous development plans that could have compromised its existence.
Humbug Marsh Forest- Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
5437 West Jefferson Avenue
Trenton, MI 48183
After driving through the Refuge Gateway main entrance along W. Jefferson Ave., stay right/south, park in the lot in front of the John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center.
Follow the sidewalk to the right/southwest of the facility and continue over the small bridge that passes over Monguagon Drain. This is the start of the trailhead for both the Green Trail and Orange Trail.
The Green Trail leads to the Old Growth Forest area of the Humbug Marsh Unit.
