The oak tree pictured below resides on the south inner loop of New Day Nature Trails. Vines previously strangled this tree. It was bent over with the top touching the ground. Now this oak stands straight (with a little help). We can’t wait to see it become a mighty oak on our walking trail for years to come.Our plans for the fall include planting more trees! We have 34 flowering trees alive and we...  Read More

This week New Day Nature Trails got a thorough mowing and herbicide treatment. We are battling invasives and slowly winning! The oats we planted this year did a great job of competing with the invasives and occupying soil. As you can see in the picture below, we have a mixed bag right now (oats and pokeweed in this shot). We plan to do treatment in the fall, see what sprouts in the Spring, and go ...  Read More

Look at the beauty of the field, forest, and sky in the picture below! Gorgeous! Creation sings of the glory and goodness of God!...  Read More

Today was our first trail work day! It was a fun crew and a great time clipping roots, clearing stumps, and enjoying the trails together. Thanks to those who came, and to those excited to join us for the next one (date to be determined)....  Read More

Oat grasses are sprouting! The trails are open! Flowering tree saplings are growing! Invasives have been treated, mowed, and tree debris has been (mostly) cleared. Work will continue throughout the summer/fall....  Read More

Phase 2 is underway and moving fast! Tons of work completed last week! Here’s a rundown of the action…The new trails have been established: cleared and raked smooth. Check out the trail map! Invasive species control continues. Treatments were applied last week to get things under control. These treatments will continue, eventually making way for another attempt to plant oats as a cover crop. Getti...  Read More

Phase 2 of our project is described in the April 25th post below. The new trails are marked with flags, so contractors bidding on the job can see where we want them to establish trails. That work will be under contract within about a week! But the big news is…  We planted about 40 flowering trees today!Near the main trailhead (and parking lot) there are several redbuds and dogwoods. Near the bird ...  Read More

Spring is here! We are so excited to begin work on Phase 2 of the New Day Nature Trails restoration project with the DNR. Our priorities for this year are:Establish new walking trailsContinue to eliminate invasive speciesTree work (both removals and plantings)We have such diverse sections of the property to restore and enjoy! We hope to develop the main prairie section with grasses and wildflowers...  Read More

Our partnership with the DNR continues in 2023! Phase 2 is now underway! This year's work will include beautiful new tree plantings, removal of some scrubby trees, continued treatment of any sprouting invasives, mowing/establishing of the trails, and we are even looking to begin designing projects/improvements for 2024 and beyond.Enjoy the property whenever you're able to! And please realize a res...  Read More

The New Day Nature Trails project was recently featured in an article for the Second Wave online magazine! The article was written by a New Day neighbor from the Valleywood neighborhood. Thanks so much for featuring this project in your article Theresa!Check it out here: https://www.secondwavemedia.com/southwest-michigan/features/A-new-path-for-New-Day-Kalamazoo-church-partners-with-DNR-to-share-l...  Read More

Phase 1 of our project is complete. The invasives have been removed and/or treated. So much space is opened up for what will become prairie and woodland areas. We can see the beauty that is to come in the near future! Also, oat grass seed has been broadcast and will come up in the spring. The oats are a temporary planting that are used to compete with any invasives that pop back up.We are very hap...  Read More

Our Candy Trail was so much fun once again this year! We adjusted the plan by hosting tables along the edge of the backyard. It was so fun to see the kids enjoying the candy, prizes, games, and playground on a beautiful afternoon! We look forward to being back on the trail for next year’s event!Trail Project: the work of clearing invasives will be wrapping up soon. Oat grasses will be planted to g...  Read More