JCMHS: History and Nature Abound - The Audubon Kate Palmer Sanctuary by Allen King

The Jackson County Michigan Historical Society Presets:
History and Nature Abound - The Audubon Kate Palmer Sanctuary
by Allen King

This photographic presentation by Allen King will focus on the natural beauty and interesting historical facts of Michigan Audubon's Kate Palmer Sanctuary located on O'Brien Road in Jackson.  In 1835, coal was first discovered in Michigan by pioneers while digging the foundation for a grist mill beside Sandstone Creek, at what is now the south end of the Kate Palmer Sanctuary.  Bennie See, of the Michigan Geological Basin Society, is in the process of having a State Historical Marker placed at the sanctuary to commemorate this event. Prominent businessmen from Jackson’s past mining company and the original Consumers Power Company, as well as Kate Palmer’s life,  have also been uncovered as part of the history of Jackson Audubon. The area has recovered from coal mining activities and been preserved since 1926 to become one of Michigan’s richest native plant and flower areas. 

NOTE:  This is NOT a Jackson Audubon Society event.

Presenter, Allen King, worked for 28-years as a wildlife cinematographer for Berlet Films. He was a travelog and a natural history National Audubon Society film lecturer for 10-years. In his early years he was a naturalist at the Dahlem Conservancy and established the prairie in the center of their property.  After discontinuing film lecturing, Allen spent 27 years with the East Jackson School District as an elementary and middle school teacher.  He earned his Associates Degree at Jackson Community College, his Bachelors in Wildlife Biology from Michigan State University, and his Masters in Elementary Education at Eastern Michigan University.  Presently, Allen works at Michigan Automotive Compressor (MACI), and is the Steward of the Kate Palmer Sanctuary.