New Land Acquisition St. Joseph County Parks Department How did Spicer Lake get its name? St. Joseph County Parks Department is excited to announce that with the help In 1881, Josiah Waldron of Berrien County, of several organizations including Indi- Michigan sold nearly 40 acres of the property ana Heritage Trust, Indiana Depart- to James Spicer, also of Berrien County. Ap- ment of Natural Resources, the South parently, James Spicer chose to name the lake on his newly acquired property after himself. Bend/Elkhart Audubon Society, and numerous private donors, an addition- al 75 acres adjacent to Spicer Lake Na- ture Preserve was purchased in 2004. The new property offers 35 acres of woodland, a buttonbush swamp, a sedge meadow and a portion of Lan- caster Lake basin. Lancaster Lake is a kettle-hole lake and once development is complete, trails through this area will border the basin and the buttonbush swamp. Spicer Lake

Expansion of the Spicer Lake’s Visitor Center and the construction of a obser- Continuing the Legacy of Greatness! Nature Preserve vation platform are planned for the near future as part of the overall en- hancement of Spicer Lake Nature Pre- serve.

St. Joseph County Parks Department appreciates the foresight of our prede- cessors and plans to continue the preservation of unique, heritage-rich, sjcparks.org natural areas such as Spicer Lake Na- ture Preserve for the education and enjoyment of future generations.

Please check our website or email us for driving directions to Spicer Lake Nature Preserve. Call 574-654-3155 for additional information on public and /or school programs. Spicer Lake Nature Preserve 50840 County Line Road St. Joseph County Parks Department New Carlisle, IN 46552 Visitor Information: 574-654-3155 Natural Features Interpreting Nature: Spicer Lake Nature Preserve: Since the land is a dedicated nature preserve, Spic- Public and School Programs at er Lake is protected under a series Spicer Lake. A Brief History of state laws that restrict develop- ment and prohibit the addition, Today, Spicer Lake Na- removal, or damage to any plant ture Preserve is the site Nestled in the northwest corner of St. Joseph County or animal life. is a 319 acre park known as Spicer Lake Nature Pre- of many public and serve. It is considered the gem of St. Joseph County, Healthy populations of woodland school environmental Indiana. flowers grow here, including spring ephemerals such as trillium, Dutchman’s breeches and trout In the 1880s, the land was the site of modest farm- programs. Local colleg- lily. The 200+ acres of wetland support popula- ing operations and livestock grazing. During this es and universities also time an effort was made to create a ditch to drain tions of blue flag, turtlehead and cardinal flower. Spicer Lake. Evidence of the unsuccessful ditch can Spicer Lake Nature Pre- receive permission to be seen along por- serve’s kettle lake basin is conduct research on tions of the wetland one of the few in the state trail. Other evidence the preserve. of Indiana that has not of past farming opera- tions have been dis- been mined for peat, used Families and indi- as a dump, filled in for de- covered as well. viduals partici- velopment or otherwise Although the natural disturbed; It is well respect- pate in dozens of history of this unique ed within the environmental community for its area dates back more interpretive pro- than 12,000 years; Spicer Lake Nature Preserve was unique condition and educational value. grams offered by not opened to the public as a park until 1978. Spicer Lake is also well know within the bird- Under the leadership of then Park Board President watching community. Particularly in spring and park staff that highlight the unique quali- fall, large flocks of migratory songbirds feast on Robert Fischgrund, and with the support of the The ties of this gem in the north- Nature Conservancy, the South Bend Audubon Soci- the abundant insects of the wetlands ecosystem.. ety, and the Indiana Department of Natural Re- western-most corner of St. A visitor strolling down the boardwalk and trails of sources (IDNR), the original 40-acre site was pur- Joseph County. chased and dedicated as a “nature Spicer Lake will pass through four eco-zones. The preserve.” Nature preserve status tree zone with red ma- is reserved for land that possesses ples, elms and sassafras; unique qualities and in most cases the brush zone with protects habitat and endangered thick growths of winter- species. The IDNR also helped to berry, spicebush, and fund the construction of the dogwood; the emer- boardwalk which allows visitors to gence zone with pond experience the wetland habitat lilies and native loose- year round. St. Joseph County strife; and the lake itself: the aquatic zone, made Parks Department Spicer Lake was up of decayed material on lake beds. expanded in 1988 and a donation of $100,000 from the Schurz Foun- Essentially there is no oxygen in Spicer Lake be- dation helped fund the original cause it is consumed by the decomposition of or- construction of the visitor center ganic material. The only fish that can live in such Email us at: [email protected] and restrooms. low levels of oxygen are tiny mud minnows. Lan- caster Lake, in contrast, has a higher oxygen level

and supports a small fish population.