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Community Invited to Celebrate Lepard Nature Preserve’s Old-Growth Forest Designation
GRAND RAPIDS, MI. (May 6, 2026) — Lepard Nature Preserve in Caledonia has been officially recognized as an Old-Growth Forest, a special designation that honors forests with exceptional ecological value and ensures they remain permanently protected and open to the public.
To celebrate this milestone, the Kent County Parks Department is inviting members of the community and media to a dedication ceremony set among the preserve’s spring ephemerals this Friday, May 8. The event will include brief remarks followed by a guided nature walk led by an Old Growth Forest expert and a local ecologist.
Event Details:
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Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
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Time: 9:00–10:30 a.m.
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Location: Lepard Nature Preserve, 6030 76th Street SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
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Parking: Additional parking available in the nearby church lot
“This recognition reflects both the ecological importance of Lepard Nature Preserve and our commitment to protecting natural spaces for future generations,” said Ben Swayze. “We’re proud to safeguard its rare forest and honor the family who entrusted it to our care.”
With this designation, Lepard Nature Preserve joins a growing network of protected forests across the nation including 26 other Michigan Old-Growth Forests, such as Dolan Nature Sanctuary in Kent County and Aman and Duncan Parks in nearby Ottawa County. While not original old growth, the 52-acre park offers a unique window into forest regeneration and the quiet beauty of maturing woods.
“In the eastern United States, less than one percent of forests still exhibit old-growth characteristics,” said Leona Addie, Great Lakes Regional Manager for the Old-Growth Forest Network. “Lepard Nature Preserve shows us that even forests that were once cleared can, over time and with care, begin to recover those complex features—supporting wildlife, storing carbon, and protecting water resources along the way.”
Community members are encouraged to register for the event through the Kent County Parks Department's Facebook page. Members of the media who would like to attend or coordinate an interview may email Christina Anthony.
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