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The Teichner Preserve
The Teichner Preserve is a 41-acre parcel on the northeast shore of Lime Lake, originally gifted to the Leelanau Conservancy in 1996. Open to the public, a peaceful trail and boardwalk wind through forested lowlands and wetlands rich with native flora and fauna, leading all the way to the quiet lake shore. It’s a haven for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and anyone seeking a serene walk through one of Leelanau’s most unique landscapes.
In 1996, Martha Teichner gifted 20 acres of this land in honor of her parents, Hans and Miriam. Her generosity has helped protect this fragile forested wetland, preserving it as vital habitat for woodcock, grouse, turkey, and other wildlife. In 2005, additional acreage became available, and with Martha’s continued support—along with help from the Jean Raymond family—we were able to double the size of the preserve to nearly 41 acres.
The swampy lowlands are ideal for black ash and red maple, while white ash and sugar maple thrive in the upland areas. In spring, look for cottonwood clones—saplings sprouting in a ring around their mother tree. Keep an eye out for the broad, heart-shaped leaves of basswood, the shaggy bark of ironwood, and the interlocking diamond pattern on old ash trunks. Conifers like balsam fir and hemlock also abound.
The property is home to an enormous elm and a mature chestnut tree—both rare among Leelanau Conservancy lands. These giants were likely planted by early settlers. A remnant of a later orchard still remains, offering a glimpse into the land’s cultivated past.
Explore the understory for wild rose, fuzzy white pussytoes, and rare fern species such as rattlesnake, interrupted, and maidenhair. Of the 13 rare fern species found in Michigan, nine appear in Leelanau County—and many thrive in the Teichner Preserve’s understory. You may also spot blue flag iris blooming in the marsh.
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