Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve

Walking the soft forest paths through this pristine landscape and unique habitat mosaic, visitors to Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature Preserve quickly understand that this is a special place. Protected in 1992, Pyatt Lake represents an undisturbed landscape with unique habitat and geologic features and the Conservancy’s first land preservation effort. From local artists to school children, many diverse groups came together to shield this land from the threat of impending development. Before Pyatt’s protection, both developers and conservationists recognized the beauty and value of this property. Luckily, the property had been identified as one of the most botanically diverse privately owned properties in Grand Traverse County and was one of three remaining examples of the “Wooded Dune and Swale Complex” habitat in northern Michigan. As a result, a compelling argument for Pyatt’s regional significance and preservation was successfully made. Over the years Pyatt Lake Preserve has been expanded eight times, bringing it to 159 acres.