Fort Custer Recreation Area

Fort Custer Recreation Area is a Michigan Department of Natural Resources-managed protected area located in Augusta, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, near the cities of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Battle Creek, Michigan. The recreation area is situated near the Kalamazoo River and Fort Custer National Cemetery, which is the final resting place for United States Army veterans, including those who served in the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. The area is also close to the Fort Custer Training Center, a Michigan National Guard facility that has been used for training by the United States Armed Forces since 1917. The recreation area is managed in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Geography

The Fort Custer Recreation Area encompasses 3,033 acres of land in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, featuring a diverse range of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and prairies. The area is bounded by the Kalamazoo River to the north and the Fort Custer National Cemetery to the east, and is situated near the I-94 highway, which connects the cities of Chicago, Illinois and Detroit, Michigan. The recreation area's terrain is characterized by glacial features, including drumlins and eskers, which were formed during the Pleistocene epoch by the movement of glaciers from the Laurentide Ice Sheet. The area's geology is composed of bedrock formations, including limestone and dolostone, which are common in the Michigan Basin region.

History

The Fort Custer Recreation Area has a rich history, dating back to the 19th century when the area was used for agriculture and logging by European-American settlers. The area was later used as a training ground for the United States Army during World War I and World War II, and was also used as a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. The recreation area was established in 1971 by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the United States Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. The area has since been managed for conservation and recreation, with a focus on wildlife management and habitat restoration, in collaboration with organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Nature Conservancy.

Facilities

The Fort Custer Recreation Area offers a range of facilities and amenities, including camping sites, picnic areas, and hiking trails. The area also features a lake and a river, which offer opportunities for fishing and boating, and are home to a variety of fish species, including trout and bass. The recreation area is also equipped with restroom facilities and potable water sources, and is accessible via paved roads and parking areas. The area is managed in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Activities

The Fort Custer Recreation Area offers a variety of activities and programs, including hiking, biking, and horseback riding on the area's trails, which are also used by the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA. The area also features opportunities for fishing and boating on the lake and river, and is a popular destination for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, with species such as bald eagles and white-tailed deer commonly seen. The recreation area also offers educational programs and interpretive activities, including nature walks and wildlife talks, which are led by rangers from the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service.

Wildlife

The Fort Custer Recreation Area is home to a diverse range of wildlife species, including mammals, birds, and fish. The area is a habitat for species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bobcat, and is also a stopover point for migratory bird species, including waterfowl and songbirds, which are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act. The recreation area is managed to conserve and protect these species, in partnership with organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The area's ecosystems are also home to a variety of plant species, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, which are protected by the Lacey Act and the Plant Protection Act. Category:Protected areas of Michigan