The Merritt Family and Younger Family Preserves protect 60 acres of forest and wetland, and consist of two contiguous preserves. Although at first glance this looks like one big, monotypic forest, it actually represents two forest types in various stages of regrowth, including a mesic (or moist) southern forest and southern hardwood swamp.
https://www.chikamingopenlands.org/our-preserves/merritt-younger-family-preserves
Directions: From Red Arrow Highway, head east on Union Pier Rd. After crossing Lakeside Road, remain on Elm Valley Road for 1/2 mile, watch for S Mydra Rd on your left (sign is very faded). The preserve entrance is about 1/3-mile up Mydra on your left. Park along Mydra Road. Click here for a link to Google Maps.
