When Kleinstuck Preserve was deeded by Caroline Kleinstuck in 1922 she stipulated that the property be "used for education and research purposes". Western Michigan University has encouraged academic involvement throughout the history of the property.
If you would like to conduct research at Kleinstuck Preserve, please contact WMU Landscape Services.
Michigan State University student research project 2010
by Kaldis Grants
"Monitoring of Purple Loosestrife at Kleinstuck Preserve"
Kalamazoo College Biology 312 Population and Community Ecology
2009 project papers:
- "Abundance of Tiger Salamanders in Kleinstuck Preserve"
- "Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioindicators at the Kleinstuck Preserve Wetlands"
- "Biodiversity in Managed vs. Unmanaged Sites"
- "Monitoring of Alliaria Petiolata (garlic mustard) in Kleinstuck Preserve"
- "Phenology of Plants at the Kleinstuck Preserve"
WMU Geoscience Department research project
Dr. Carla M. Koretsky, assistant professor of geosciences, was awarded $471,000 by the National Science Foundation to fund a five-year research project beginning in December of 2004. Koretsky's research focus is on the effects of invasive organisms (such as marsh grasses, shrimps, crabs, and worms) on metals like cadmium, lead or copper that are introduced into marsh habitats. Her work includes laboratory analysis, as well as a comparison of real-world systems in a saltwater marsh in Sapelo Island along the Georgia coast as well as the freshwater marsh in Kleinstuck Preserve.
Dr. Koretsky received an extension of her grant from the foundation to research the soil chemistry surrounding the invasive wetland plant, purple loosestrife. Dr. Koretsky has published the following journal articles on her work in Kleinstuck:
- Koretsky C.M., Haas J.R., Ndenga N.T., and Miller D. 2006. "Seasonal Variations in Vertical Redox Stratification and Potential Influence on Trace Metal Speciation in Minerotrophic Peat Sediments."Water, Air, and Soil Pollut.
- Koretsky C.M, Haveman M., Beuving L., Cuellar A., Shattuck T., and Wagner M. 2007. "Spatial Variation of Redox and Trace Metal Geochemistry in a Mineratrophic Fen." Biogeochemistry.
Masters theses
- Buechler R.J. (1996)
"The Effects of the Kalamazoo Station No. 4 on the Nearby Kleinstuck Nature Preserve." Department of Geology.
WMU. Located at Waldo Library, WMU Call Number: GB 9999 .B82x - Tumusiime N.N. (2005)
"Seasonal Variability in Trace Metal Speciation and Vertical Redox Stratification of Freshwater Lake and Marsh Sediments in the Kalamazoo River Watershed (MI, USA)."
Located at Waldo Library, WMU Call Number TD 9999 .N346
Past research projects:
(Courtesy of WMU Library of Archives and Regional History)
- "Observations on the Flowering Plants Growing on the Kleinstuck Reserve," by Clara Sterling. 1931
- "Kleinstuck Reserve: Its Use and Development," by E.V. Jotter. University of Michigan. Feb 21, 1931
- "Birds of the Kleinstuck Preserve," by LaVerne Argabright. 1935
- "The Abundance of Different Species of Birds in the Kleinstuck Reserve During July, 1952," by Betty Olds and Alice Weschgel.
- "Soil and Water Conservation Plan," by Ann Fuller. 1961
- "Propagation of True Solomon Seal," by Eugene Demick. 1963
- "Kleinstuck State Gardens Project," by Dr. Bartoo. 1965
- "Twenty Points of Interest and Proposed Plantings and Care Program for Kleinstuck Nature Preserve," 1964-69
- "The History of Kleinstuck Preserve," by Ray Deur. 1973
- "Aquatic Survey Report—Kleinstuck Preserve," E and J Aquatics. by Timothy Ervin. 1973 (unable to locate report at this time)
- "History Through the Eyes of a Neighborhood: The Hillcrest Area Up To 1930," 1978, by Brendan G. Henehan.
- "Portage-Arcadia Creek Watersheds," by Kieser and Associates. 2006
- "Bird Observations at Kleinstuck Preserve 1973-2007," Kalamazoo Nature Center. Research program.
Independent film
"Animals Among Us"—Matt Clysdale produced and directed this documentary film shot primarily in Kleinstuck Preserve that showcases the variety of wildlife present in Kalamazoo, Michigan.