On Thursday, October 1, 2026, WMU's Asylum Lake Policy and Management Council (ALPMC) voted unanimously to adopt a resolution recommending the transfer of the Preserve's management from WMU to Kalamazoo County. The resolution recommends that the WMU Board of Trustees adopt the Amended and Restated Declaration of Conservation Restrictions and approve the Interlocal Agreement between WMU and the County.
The vote followed a 7 p.m. public hearing at the WMU Business, Technology and Research Park, 3300 Research Way. Before the vote, the Council heard a report from its Control Transition Subcommittee (CTS), led by member Chris Bovid, along with public comments and questions. About two dozen members of the public attended, as did WWMT News and independent journalist Aya Miller.
Final approval rests with the WMU Board of Trustees and the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners.
News Coverage:
Arc West Michigan | Community forum on Asylum Lake Preserve ownership transfer from WMU to the county
WWMT | WMU board backs shifting Asylum Lake Preserve management to Kalamazoo County parks