Events

Flat Iron Lake Nature Preserve is in Kent County's Oakfield Township, approximately 30 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. The preserve was the idea of Fritz and Carol Rottman, who owned much of the property and wished to see the space preserved for green space and scientific study. The property includes a 25 acre kettle lake, 13 acres of forest, and an 18 acre created prairie. River City Wild Ones originally visited the property in 2011. This nature hike will showcase changes over the past several years.

Our field trip will be led by Matthew Dykstra, who is the Managing Director of the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens. He will be joined by Carol Rottman, who with her husband, Fritz, originally installed the prairie on the property and donated the land to Calvin College.

The property is located at 11300 Hart St. NE in Greenville, about 1⁄2 mile east of Wabasis Ave. NE. Follow the long drive through the prairie to the two car garage where we will meet Matthew. Parking is available in front of the garage and in the grass nearby, but will be limited. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.