Location Details

Columbia Nature Sanctuary was donated to MNA by Mason C. Schafer in 1985. The sanctuary consists of several marshy areas, an old lake bed and forest. The land wasn’t always that way—according to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory historical records, the wet areas were originally surrounded by black oak barrens, but a lack of fire has allowed these areas to transition to closed canopy forest.

Today, Columbia’s habitat consists of southern hardwood swamp, emergent marsh and mesic southern forest. Flooding plays a role in the southern hardwood swamp and emergent marsh—standing water typically occurs in swamps during winter and spring, and emergent marshes are subject to frequent or seasonal flooding. The mesic southern forest experiences frequent, small windthrow gaps that allow for the regeneration of the shade-tolerant, canopy species. In wetland complexes, like Columbia, southern hardwood swamp is typically associated with a variety of other herb, shrub and forested wetland communities. Upland communities bordering southern hardwood swamps are usually forested, with mesic southern forest as the most common.

According to a survey conducted by botanist Harvey Ballard Jr., Columbia has 150 native plant species. Among other plants, Columbia is home to Michigan holly, seven types of bedstraws and various rushes and sedges, including the rare false hop sedge.  

Sedges resemble grasses, but their stems are unjointed and often three-sided. False hop sedge is a coarse, densely tufted perennial that grows from a thick, dark, scaly rootstalk and ranges from 0.5 to just over 1 meters in height. The plant has four to seven leaves, which are smooth and V-shaped when young, and have persistent brownish to reddish basal sheaths.

Columbia also offers excellent birding opportunities. The southwest quarter of the sanctuary consists of a wooded swamp and old lake bed which are often used by great blue heron, and green heron, swallows, woodpeckers, geese, and ducks.

Planning Your Visit:
Columbia is home to roughly 38 nesting species, and the wooded swamp and old lake bed in the southwest quarter are used by great blue and green herons, swallows, woodpeckers, geese, and ducks. Visitors interested in bird watching should visit Columbia in the spring, when many bird species are migrating north and beginning their mating seasons.

For additional information, contact the MNA office at (866) 223-2231.

View the Sanctuary Fact Sheet

Columbia Nature Sanctuary Fact Sheet.pdf