Au
Sable-Great Lakes is located in the northwoods country of Michigan's
Lower Peninsula, about 80 miles southwest of the Straits of Mackinac
and 40 miles east of Traverse City. Surrounded on three sides by
thousands of acres of State Forest, Au Sable-Great Lakes includes
an active beaver colony, and frontage on a 215-acre oligotrophic
lake. Environmental resources in the vicinity of Au Sable-Great
Lakes are both abundant and diverse. Included are numerous pristine
river systems, approximately 900 lakes and ponds in the local four-county
area, some 80 bogs in the local twelve-township area, diverse forest
ecosystems, three Great Lakes, various sand dune communities, diverse
climatic and topographic features, and an abundant and diverse
flora and fauna. Of particular significance are Sleeping Bear Dunes
National Lakeshore, Hartwick Pines and Wilderness State Parks,
Lake Skegemog Wildlife Area, Grass River Natural Area, and the
Jordan, Manistee, Au Sable, and Rapid rivers. The climate is typical
of north-temperate regions, although the Great Lakes temper the
extremes. Summer days are usually mild and sunny, followed by cool
evenings. Snow dominates the winter landscape; it typically is
20-40 inches deep in January.
Au
Sable-Great Lakes is located in the northwoods country of Michigan's
Lower Peninsula, about 80 miles southwest of the Straits of Mackinac
and 40 miles east of Traverse City. Surrounded on three sides by
thousands of acres of State Forest, Au Sable-Great Lakes includes
an active beaver colony, and frontage on a 215-acre oligotrophic
lake. Environmental resources in the vicinity of Au Sable-Great
Lakes are both abundant and diverse. Included are numerous pristine
river systems, approximately 900 lakes and ponds in the local four-county
area, some 80 bogs in the local twelve-township area, diverse forest
ecosystems, three Great Lakes, various sand dune communities, diverse
climatic and topographic features, and an abundant and diverse
flora and fauna. Of particular significance are Sleeping Bear Dunes
National Lakeshore, Hartwick Pines and Wilderness State Parks,
Lake Skegemog Wildlife Area, Grass River Natural Area, and the
Jordan, Manistee, Au Sable, and Rapid rivers. The climate is typical
of north-temperate regions, although the Great Lakes temper the
extremes. Summer days are usually mild and sunny, followed by cool
evenings. Snow dominates the winter landscape; it typically is
20-40 inches deep in January.