Waterford Seeking New Member for Drayton Plains Nature Center Advisory Committee
Waterford Township, MI – Waterford Township is looking for a resident to serve on the Drayton Plains Nature Center Advisory Committee.
The township posted the opening this week, inviting community members with an interest in nature, education, and parks to apply. Applications can be submitted through Waterford’s Boards and Commissions portal at
“Boards, committees and commissions provide opportunities for citizens with a wide variety of talents and experience to work together and make our community a stronger, more vibrant place to live, work and play,” the township said in its announcement.
The committee advises on the future of one of Waterford’s most unique parks — the Drayton Plains Nature Center at 2125 Denby Dr.
The center is a 138-acre natural area stretching nearly a mile along the Clinton River, where the river cuts a double channel as it meanders under Hatchery Road toward Lake St. Clair. The property includes approximately 4 miles of walking trails through white pine forest, woodland prairie, and southern wet meadow habitats.
More than 196 species have been recorded at the site, including regionally uncommon birds like the northern shoveler, Philadelphia vireo and northern harrier. Features include an interpretive nature center building, meeting room, wildlife observation areas, gazebo, and picnic shelter with grills.
The site has deep local history. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources established an 82-acre fish hatchery there in 1904, later known as the Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery, which operated until 1962 and is now listed as a Michigan Historic Site. In 1967 it opened as a privately owned non-profit nature center, and in 2006 Waterford Township acquired ownership with a conservation easement granted to Six Rivers Land Conservancy. It is now operated by Waterford Parks and Recreation. The DNR still uses two of the ponds to rear walleye for lake and stream restocking.
The interpretive building is open seasonally — for 2026 the hours are April 30-Oct. 10, Thursdays & Fridays 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Trails are open dawn to dusk year-round.
The Advisory Committee helps guide programming, habitat protection, education and preservation efforts for the center. No previous board experience is required.
Interested residents can apply online, or contact Waterford Parks and Recreation at (248) 674-5441 for more information about the center.
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