Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Kleinstuck Preserve?

Kleinstuck Preserve is located at 2100 Stearns Avenue, Kalamazoo near the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo Maple Street facility and The Kazoo School. There is an entrance to the preserve at this address with a few parking spaces.

Where is Little Sister Preserve?

Little Sister Preserve is located just east of Kleinstuck with street access at 2130 Hudson Avenue, south of the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo Maple Street facility. There is an entrance to the preserve at this address with on-street parking spaces. Visitors can also walk into the preserve from the YMCA’s parking lot, behind the tennis courts.

The two parcels of land adjoin one another and visitors can’t tell one from the other once in the woods. Little Sister and Kleinstuck are two different lines on the map but just one big, glorious chunk of woods, trails, and marshland in the city.

Are there restroom facilities at these preserves?

Sadly no, so “go” before you arrive.

How do I get there?

Visitors can access Kleinstuck and Little Sister Preserves by foot, by car or by bus (Bicycle parking racks will be added.)). Visitors riding the Kalamazoo Metro bus can choose the #12 Blue/Duke line and get off at the YMCA bus stop on Hudson Street. From the bus stop, walk south to the Little Sister entrance at 2130 Hudson. Look south from the bus stop and you’ll see the woods.

How do you pronounce Kleinstuck?

Most people pronounce it “KLINE-stuck” but in German, the language the surname originated from, you might pronounce it more like “Kline-SHTOOK.”

Who owns Kleinstuck?

This 48-acre property was deeded to the Michigan Board of Education in 1922 by Caroline Kleinstuck in memory of her husband, Carl Kleinstuck, an outdoor enthusiast. She designated that the property be used for research and education. Visit WMU’s online archives for a historical timeline.

Who owns Little Sister?

The 12-acre Little Sister Preserve is owned by the Stewards of Kleinstuck, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. With the help of our generous community, the Stewards purchased the property in 2021 to preserve these woods from destruction and to act as a buffer for our beloved Kleinstuck Preserve from potential future land development. Our community raised $650,000 in 9 months to preserve Little Sister land adjacent to Kleinstuck Preserve.

Why are there two preserves?

Maybe someday the two preserves will be combined under one owner, but, while there are two owners, we are happy to say that Kleinstuck’s owner (WMU) and the Stewards of Kleinstuck work together on the care of these 60 acres of woods.

Can I volunteer in the preserve?

Yes! Join us on our monthly workdays (10 am - noon, second Sunday of each month). Meet at the Maple St. YMCA outdoor tennis courts. No experience necessary! We have a leader at each volunteer day to help you learn the ropes. Or email us at stewardsofkleinstuck@gmail.com to set up a time to volunteer. We love to work with all kinds of groups - businesses, organizations, scout troops, students, etc.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are welcomed on a 6-foot leash. Please pick up their poop and remove it from the preserve to protect wildlife health.

Can I come to Kleinstuck if I’m not affiliated with WMU?

All are welcomed and encouraged to visit Kleinstuck and Little Sister Preserves.

Can I walk, jog, or cross-country ski at the Preserves?

We’d love for you to come enjoy our 2 miles of lush, wooded trails of varying difficulty levels through a diverse ecosystem of lowland marsh, pine stands, and upland mixed forest. In the winter people cross-country ski on the existing trails, but there are no groomed trails.

Why is birding popular at Kleinstuck/Little Sister?

The Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory is a program of the Kalamazoo Nature Center which has been conducting Spring Migratory Surveys every day in April and May since 1973! Over 200 different species have been found in the Kleinstuck/Little Sister woods. The popular online birding app, eBird, shows Kleinstuck to be the site with the greatest species variety in the county and more than twice the number of lists as other sites in the county.


Here is a list of birds you can find in Kleinstuck

Can students from local schools, conduct research at either Kleinstuck Preserve or Little Sister Preserve?

Research projects are welcome! We love learning about what you’re learning about. You can fill out an application here to conduct research at Kleinstuck Preserve .

What activities are prohibited at these preserves?

Please leave the property the way you found it, following the 7 principles of Leave No Trace.  

The following are prohibited in our woods:

  • Dogs off leash

  • Building fires

  • Building stick forts

  • Bicycling and eBike riding

  • Hunting 

  • Fishing

  • Camping

  • Cutting firewood

  • Formula One race cars

  • Motocross racing

  • Motorized vehicles not affiliated with WMU, SoK, or Public Safety

  • Throwing mud pies

  • Stalking the elusive snipe

  • Building skyscrapers

What is Keep Kalamazoo Wild and what does it do?

Keep Kalamazoo Wild is a marketing and fundraising campaign developed by the Stewards of Kleinstuck during our effort to purchase Little Sister Preserve. Our oak leaf logo was designed by Alyson Cameron and is copyrighted / trademark of SoK.

We envision using Keep Kalamazoo Wild as a slogan if other natural properties are threatened in Kalamazoo to raise awareness about the importance of natural areas, to planet sustainability, and human health.

Who drew your map?

The incomparable Kim Shaw created our amazing map. 

Who do I contact to report a problem?

Email Stewards of Kleinstuck

911 for emergencies

311 (non-emergency City of Kalamazoo dispatch) 

WMU (269) 387-8514