Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail

05/21/2026

These are not very good pictures of the waterleaf plants on the trail. They are a much more vibrant color and there are hils covered by them between F and G Avenues.
The first picture is False Solomon's Seal.
The many years invested in removing invasive species is paying off!

05/18/2026

Local naturalist Antony Blowers visited VBDL Bloomingdale Branch Library to teach the group the basics of foraging. Anthony explained how mushrooms have a symbiotic (give-and-take) relationship with trees and various ways to prepare mushrooms, ramps and Cleavers in delicious dishes. Taste testing was a highlight. The group appreciated Anthony’s wealth of knowledge and experience of foraging
(Reach out if you would like Anthony's email address to ask about foraging tips)

***The Friends would like to remind everyone that the only things you can forage in State Parks, including the Kal-Haven Trail, are mushrooms, nuts and berries for your own personal consumption. This is State Park law. It is also illegal to remove any plant in its entirety, leaves and flowers.***

05/08/2026

Phlox is still blooming in many areas between F and G Avenues.

04/26/2026

Beautiful native blue phlox, just north of G Ave on the trail!

04/24/2026

Spring is early and many plants are coming to life again on the Trail.
There may be a desire to pick flowers or take plants such as leeks and Jack-in-the Pulpits.
This is a big No-No on the Trail. In fact, it is against the law. Leave the plants for all to observe.
Please share this information with your friends. Note: It is OK to harvest mushrooms for personal
consumption. Thank-You! The Kal-Haven Ecosystem Volunteers.

The Kal-Haven Trail is a Michigan State Park, and there are some rules that help preserve wildlife. Please read this rule:

GENERAL RULES (History: 2001 AACS; 2014 MR2, Eff. Jan. 29, 2014)

R 299.922 - Unlawful acts generally. Rule 22 - On land owned or under the

control of the department, it is unlawful to do any of the following:

(h) Destroy, damage, or remove a tree, including a dead and downed tree and

woody debris, shrub, wildflower, grass, or other vegetation. Except in a wildlife

food plot, this subdivision does not apply to picking and removing mushrooms,

berries, and edible fruits or nuts for personal use.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! We want to thank the many visitors and volunteers who make this wonderful trial the way it is!
SHare your favortie photo from the trail over the last year to help celebrate Earth day all the time!

Send a message to learn more

04/20/2026

Volunteer alert!
We are going out for the 3rd week of Garlic Mustard removal on the Kal-Haven Trail! Most if not all of our Spring ephemerals are in bloom now. So, now is the chance for you to come out and help with the Garlic Mustard removal and learn about the different native plants that grow here.
Our goal is to eradicate Garlic Mustard in this area that was once a southern mesic forest in the days before European settlers moved here and brought the Garlic Mustard and other non-native invasive plants with them.
We walk on terrain that has hills. Some of them are short and steep as you get off and back on the trail. Feel free to bring your walking stick. Experience is not necessary. We will show you what to do. We are now working from the G Ave access point.

Attention Master Gardeners: Report your volunteer hours under Kal-Haven Trail Wildflower Restoration Project
Sorry for the short notices, but our work dates are based primarily on weather forecasts.
Should we experience high winds during a work session, we may be forced to stop working since we will be in a wooded area.

We will now start from the G Avenue crossing of the Kal-Haven Trail.
Monday, April 20th - 10:00am to Noon
Tuesday, April 21st - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Wednesday, April 22nd - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Thursday, April 23rd - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Friday, April 24th - 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Volunteer Requirement
You are volunteering to work in a Michigan State Park..
You will be asked to sign a one time DNR Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability for 2026. At each work session, everyone must sign the Workday Sign-In Sheet. This information is necessary to participate in this activity. It helps the DNR keep track of all of the volunteers and the number of hours worked.

Prep
Grab your work gloves, dandelion tool, and hand nippers. Wear sturdy shoes or boots. If you have a walking stick, you may want to use it. You may wish to use your favorite bug repellant, as ticks out there. Garlic Mustard plants are small and you'll be doing lots of bending. Wear clothes that you don't mind trashing. We will be destroying these plants on site. With your hands or nippers, we'll cut the roots off of the plants, and spread them to dry on logs or stones. If the plants are in bloom and forming seeds, we will start collecting them for the landfill. We'll supply the bags to put it in.

How to Get There:
When coming from Kalamazoo, take W. Main (formerly M-43) until you cross over the US 131 bridge. The first signal light after the bridge is 10th St. Turn right on 10th St, and drive to the 4 way stop. Continue driving straight until you come to the end of the road, and take the curve to the left. This is G Ave. Drive a half mile west on G Ave. You will come to a hill that will head down to the trail crossing. Try to park as far off of the road that you can. Beware of steep shoulders on the north side of G Ave. If you park on the southside of G Ave, please do not block the farmer's gate. Beware of high speed traffic at this crossing.

There should be room for 3-4 cars on each side of the road. It is parallel parking. Be sure to get your car completely off of the pavement. If you have to walk across the road, be very careful. Cars speed down the hill with no regard to pedestrians crossing.

NOTE: If conditions become windy, we may have to stop working, due to the threat of falling trees.

What's In Bloom
Appendaged Waterleaf - beautiful leaf rosettes can be observed
Blue Cohosh
Cut-leaved Toothwort
Dutchman's Breeches
Early Meadow Rue
False Rue Anemone
False Solomon Seal - in bud
Hepatica - fading fast
Mayapple - now in bud
Plantain Sedge
Redbud Trees
Red Elderberry - in bud
Rue Anemone
Solomon's Seal
Spicebush
Spring Cress
Squirrel Corn
Trillium
Trout Lily
Two Leaved Toothwort
Violets - purple, dark blue and yellow
Wild Blue Phlox
Please Note: The Kal-Haven Trail is a Michigan State Park. It is unlawful to harm (pick flowers, remove leaves) or remove plants, shrubs, trees and seeds. Only mushrooms, berries and edible fruits or nuts may be taken for personal use . Please share this information with your friends. Thank-You!

Let me know if you have any questions or if you wish to be removed from this mailing list.
Sue Hodapp, Conservation Steward, Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail

04/11/2026

What a beautiful day to be out on the trail! ... Running an ultra marathon! Runners set off early this morning at the Kalamazoo trail head - running as solo, and relays - and will finish at the South Haven trail head end! 33.4 miles in total!

Huge thanks to the great group at Kal-Haven Trail Run for organizing and making it possible!

Here are a few pictures of our board volunteering at the various aid stations along the trail!

03/09/2026

Come on out and discover the Trail with Van Buren Conservation District

Join us, the VBDL Bloomingdale Branch, and the Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail for a great time!

We’re excited to share plants, animals, and more with you. We’ll learn about our local nature then interact with it. And what better place to interact with our local plants and wildlife than the Kal-Haven State Trail!

There’s something to enjoy for all ages. Enjoy fun knowledge, engaging materials, and hands-on demonstrations with fun take-home activities.

Discover with the District
📅 Saturday, March 21 | 10:30 AM
📍 VBDL Bloomingdale Branch | 109 E Kalamazoo St, Bloomingdale, MI 49026

👉 Click the link on our profile to learn more and pre-register or check the comments

12/04/2025

We have finished the removal of approx. 1000 invasive honeysuckle bushes! They have been replaced by these lovely purple flags so we can go back and check for regrowth. It may take a couple years but we anticipate some lovely wildflowers filling in this area north of G Ave.