South Pond Nature Area is a 16 acre preserve that is part of the City of Ann Arbor Parks Dept and home to 100 bird species. The residents around South Pond are leading the effort expand this protected area.

Our Mission

The mission of the residents living around the South Pond Nature Area is to stop the massive development being planned just south of the pond. (See News)

If approved, the plan would fundamentally alter the scenic and environmental qualities that have made the South Pond area so unique and iconic.

To help save this area

Sign the Petition

Natural fun

This wetland is threatened by development.

An eagle perched in a tree

Bite that water!

Fishing in the Spring.

This marsh is the home of the criticially imperiled Dukes skipper butterfly.

Green heron, one of over 100 species that uses South Pond.

Snow doesn't stop skating fun.

Full summer.

Fledgling green heron trying to hide.

Imagine the trees replaced with McMansions.

Getting GPS coordinates on a newly installed bluebird house.

Marsh that is the home of the Duke's Skipper.

Rare queen snake

Swift Run after a fresh snowfall.

Secret island on a Spring day

Swift Run in the Spring.

Cranes over the pond

Calm before an evening rain.

Loading up bird houses.

A cold sunset on South Pond.

Running down Swift Run after a hard freeze.

Swan family

Development will displace much more than this spider.

Evening comes to our natural skating rink.

Sword fight.

Heron reflection

Swans at the outlet of Malletts Creek.

“Development of the wooded site adjacent to the marsh is not recommended if any extant populations of
Duke’s Skipper are to be preserved at South Pond.”

— Barb Barton M.S., Former Endangered Species Biologist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Learn More about the Endangered Duke's Skipper

Duke's Skipper Butterfly

Duke's Skipper Habitat

Photo credit: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

Natural Area Preservation (NAP)

To learn more about the South Pond Nature Area, check out the recent newsletter produced by Natural Area Preservation, a division of Ann Arbor City Parks that works to protect and restore Ann Arbor’s natural areas and foster an environmental ethic among its citizens.