Varied Habitat
The sanctuary, founded in 1941, is 897 acres in size. It is dominated by Big Marsh Lake and also contains ponds, streams, cattail marsh, tamarack bog, oak opening, flood plain forest and wet meadow. A 15 acre tall grass prairie restoration experiment was initiated in the spring of 1998.

Bird Watching and Wildlife Viewing
Nearly 200 bird species and many other animals have been observed in the sanctuary.

Greater Sandhill Crane
The Greater Sandhill Crane is a subspecies of Sandhill Crane, the world's oldest living bird species. Greater Sandhills stand four to five feet tall with a wing span of six to seven feet. Baker Sanctuary is a nesting area and migratory staging area for Michigan's largest bird.

Migratory Spectacle
During autumn migration, hundreds to thousands of cranes and waterfowl congregate in the sanctuary in Big Marsh Lake. For millennia cranes have massed in migration in response to the rhythm of the seasons that transcends the ages. Cranes gather each evening in shallow, secluded marshes during migration. Their days are spent in smaller groups feeding on a wide variety of plants and animals, including crayfish, worms, mice, acorns, frogs, snakes and waste grains gleaned from harvested fields.

Viewing Cranes
The best time to view cranes at Baker Sanctuary is during migration from September to early November, climaxing in late October. During early morning and late afternoon cranes can be heard and seen from almost anywhere in the sanctuary. Observers are treated to a timeless spectacle as flights of returning sandhills pass overhead. Their plumage and red forehead patch can be seen softly glowing in the late afternoon sunshine as they circle the marsh before gliding to earth like parachutists in their distinctive landing behavior.

Public Crane Viewing
The best viewing is from the adjacent Kiwanis Youth Area as the sandhills return to roost in Big Marsh Lake. It is open to the public during CraneFest and the rest of October, Saturday and Sunday only from 4pm to 7pm and occassionally by special arrangement.

The Doty Native Wildflower Trail and the Meadow & Marshland Trail are open year-round. Big Marsh Lake is not accessible from either trail and is visible from the Kiwanis Youth Area only.

Sandhill Crane and Art Festival
Baker Sanctuary's CraneFest is held annually the second weekend in October at the Kiwanis Youth Area. Other activities as well as crane and wildlife viewing take place in and around the sanctuary.

Baker Lodge
A meeting and educational center, available for use by prior arrangement, is located near the sanctuary's main entrance. It was built in 1948 and improved in 1962.

Doty Native Wildflower Trail
Near the lodge is the trail head of the Doty Native Wildflower Trail. The wild beauty of Michigan's native wildflowers can be viewed from March through October.

Meadow and Marshland Trail
The Meadow and Marshland Trail, a newly established trail for hiking and cross country skiing is accessible from 15 Mile Road between T Drive North and Q Drive North.

Hiking, Photography and Nature Study
Michigan Audubon Society encourages educational activities and research, with written permission, on sanctuary lands. Hunting, trapping, fishing, horseback riding, fires, domestic pets and all vehicles are prohibited. No collecting of any kind is allowed. Visitors need special permission to leave marked or mowed trails and areas.

Easy Access
Baker Sanctuary is only 6 miles from the intersection of I-69 and I-94 in Convis Township in north central Calhoun County and is just minutes from Cornwell's Turkeyville. Bellevue, named for its beautiful view and the picturesque college town of Olivet are nearby. Historic Marshall is only 10 miles away and Battle Creek a mere 12 miles as the crane flies.