The Grand Rapids Press has a feature by John Tunison on the new William Erby Smith Preserve (also known as Wau-Ke-Na, a title Smith created that means "forest by the water"). The Land Conservancy of West Michigan recently took control of the preserve, which they call an environmental jewel along the lakeshore. The land is divided into two tracts of 128 acres and 237 acres separated by a mile. The southern tract features the prairies, wetlands, a stream, woods of yellow birch, hemlock and red oak, while the northern tract offers old-growth forest with more duneland characteristics and 1300 feet of beach frontage. The conservancy anticipates the lands will be open to walkers, hikers, bird watchers and nature-lovers, but with no plans for beach access.

Land Conservancy of West Michigan web site

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