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Jacob Sell Hicks / Janet Gee
Michael Stubblefield/Audubon Photography Awards
September 14, 2025
Reserve Highlight Grand Lake Reserve
Spanning across 1,116 acres, Grand Lake Reserve is one of IRLC’s most ecologically significant properties. Originally gifted by Henry Carse and his family beginning in 2003, and later expanded through additional donations and a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant, it now stands as a cornerstone of conservation in our region. Much of the Reserve is safeguarded by a Forever Wild easement through the Northeast Wilderness Trust, ensuring that this landscape will remain a refuge for both wildlife and people for generations to come.
These diverse forests, shrubland, and open areas make the Reserve an exceptional habitat for the Golden-winged Warbler, which has been declining due to habitat loss. Golden-winged Warblers thrive in areas where young forest and shrubby growth provide the nesting and foraging opportunities they need, conditions that Grand Lake can support in with the right stewardship and habitat management. IRLC is proud of the partnership that started many years ago to secure a 15-acre parcel of Grand Lake Reserve for this purpose.
IRLC is currently partnering with other organization to help refurbish the lands of Grand Lake Reserve to better maintain the habitat for the Golden Winged Warbler to enhance this key area for the Reserve.