Natural Features of the
Asylum Lake Preserve

DID YOU KNOW?

At Asylum Lake Preserve there are 455 plant species, 117 bird species, 6 varieties of frogs, 6 kinds of turtles, and an indefinite number of snakes, and of course, many white-tailed deer. Asylum Lake Preserve is composed of mature oak-hickory forests, sedge meadows, old fields, and prairie/savanna.

 
 
Photo by William Dolak

Photo by William Dolak

  • northern bedstraw

  • alum root

  • showy goldenrod

  • common reed

  • narrow-leaved cattail

  • reed canary grass

  • bog buckbean

  • marsh St.-John’s wort

  • many native sedges and grasses

  • native prairie grass big bluestem

  • Canada goldenrod

  • quackgrass

Flora of Asylum Lake preserve

  • wild black cherry

  • white and black oak

  • red oak

  • pignut hickory

  • gray dogwood

  • glossy and common buckthorn (invasive)

  • bush honeysuckle (invasive)

  • Virginia creeper

  • garlic mustard

  • Culver’s root

  • Tussock sedge (Carex stricta)

  • spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens

    capensis)

  • purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

  • sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)

  • marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris)

  • smooth swamp aster (Aster firmus)

  • calico aster (Aster lateriflorus)

  • false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica)

  • clearweed (Pilea fontana and

    P. pumila)

  • red clover

Photo by Matt Clysdale

Photo by Matt Clysdale

  • green frog

  • bull frog

  • tree frog

  • wood frog

  • chorus frog

  • spring peeper

  • map turtle

  • snapping turtle

  • Eastern box turtle

  • painted turtle

  • spiny softshell turtle

  • Blanding’s turtle

Fauna of Asylum Lake Preserve

  • Canada Goose

  • Blue Jay

  • American Crow

  • American Robin

  • Gray Catbird

  • Yellow Warbler

  • Common Yellowthroat

  • Savanna Sparrow

  • Song Sparrow

  • Northern Cardinal

  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak

  • Red-winged Blackbird

  • Brown-headed Cowbird

  • Baltimore Oriole

  • American Goldfinch

  • Fox squirrel

  • eastern chipmunk

  • muskrat

  • ground hog

  • Northern water snake

  • garter snake

  • black rat snake

Diversity Through the Seasons

Look for these info displays at the entrances on Parkview and Winchell.

Look for these info displays at the entrances on Parkview and Winchell.

Look for these displays at the entrances of Parkview and Winchell.

Summer 22

Look for these displays at the entrances on Parkview and Winchell

Winter 22-23

Early Winter’s Barred Owl

Early Winter’s Coopers Hawk

Early Winter Chickadee

WMU maintains a detailed story map of the Asylum Lake Preserve. The story map lays out the geographical history of the usage of the preserve over time and provides visuals to guide you through the locations of historical markers within the park and their significance.

Invasive species

Bush honeysuckle, glossy and common buckthorn, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, cattails, and common reed were identified as the most problematic invaders.

ALPA encourages you to not to purchase or plant these or any other invasive species and remove any that are currently in your own yard.

Sign Up to Receive ALPA Updates and to Volunteer

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates regarding the Asylum Lake Preserve and to volunteer for ALPA events in support of Asylum Lake Preserve.