The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has received a $100,000 grant from Entergy Corporation to add some trails to the recently acquired Porter Legacy Dunes Preserve. Porter Legacy Dunes is almost 50 acres of backdune forest and includes a stretch of Dyckman Creek that flows north from Van Buren State Park and through Porter Legacy Dunes and Pilgrim Haven before flowing into Lake Michigan. It’s located next to the Pilgrim Haven Natural Area, and the two nature preserves total 75 acres and protect 2,000 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline. With the donation from Entergy, the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy will be able to design and develop trails on the Porter Legacy Dunes property so visitors can see the spring wildflowers and take in views of Lake Michigan. Conservancy Director Pete Ter Louw says the group thanks the Palisades plant and its owner, Entergy, for all of its support over the years.
