WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

“Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher ‘standard of living’ is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free.” Aldo Leopold, 1948. His words hold equally true today for those that cherish the West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve, a 162 acre, heavily wooded natural gem nestled between hills and palatial homes in highly developed, suburban West Bloomfield Township. The heron rookery that drew so much attention and praise in the 1990s is gone, and now exists just in old photos and memories. Jennifer Tucker, the new Executive Director of West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation, is correct when she states, “The West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve is our own little bit of Up North right here in West Bloomfield. We are very lucky to have a place that our patrons can get active in and enjoy right here in their community.” Thousands would agree with her. Continue reading →