Oakland County Parks & Recreation manages nearly 6,700 acres of park land, comprising some of the best remaining examples of remnant natural communities in Southeast Michigan.

As such, Oakland County functions as a series of critical ecological hubs that are part of a larger network of open spaces, natural areas and waterways. The natural communities within our parks and natural areas fulfill critical ecological roles including maintaining water quality, providing wildlife habitat and landscape connectivity, stabilizing soil, and providing floodwater retention.

In coordinated efforts, Oakland County Parks & Recreation, Water Resources Commissioner, Planning & Economic Development, Environmental Stewardship, Waste Resources, Health, and MSU Extension Services departments work together to manage and support efforts in the community to preserve, protect and promote conservation and stewardship in the region. Working with local land conservancy and watershed protection groups, we are able to inventory, map, monitor, and steward the unique natural areas within Oakland County parks and natural areas.

See also: Oakland County Parks Visitor Center and The Nature Conservancy Website