$100K in Damage at Kalamazoo Nature Preserve – Police Hunt for Suspects

Kalamazoo Police are asking for help identifying suspects involved in a vandalism incident at Bow in the Clouds Preserve.

The 60-acre natural area—owned and managed by Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC)—features scenic trails, wetlands, and observation decks.

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Bow of the Clouds Vandalized April 25

According to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, vandals hit the nature preserve on April 25. They say that around noon three people came walking through and were seen knocking over barricades by an employee operating excavating equipment. When approached, they responded with obscene gestures. The concerned employee set up a camera to keep an eye on the site.

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Later that night around 11:30 p.m. five people returned to Bow in the Clouds—this time with spray paint and baseball bats

👇MORE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE BELOW👇

SWLMC say they vandalized a bulldozer, mini-excavator, roller, two dump carts, and a track loader, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage. The messages spray-painted on the equipment were apparently protesting the machinery's presence at the nature preserve.

Ongoing Trail and Sewer Work at Bow of the Clouds

So why was there heavy machinery at the preserve?

SWMLC explained in a Facebook post that the equipment was there for a trail improvement project—and out of necessity.  The city of Kalamazoo is doing maintenance on sewer lines that run beneath the preserve, and SWMLC is using the opportunity to improve accessibility and upgrade aging infrastructure like bridges and boardwalks.

SWMLC is legally obligated to allow the city’s large maintenance machinery to get to the sewer line that runs beneath the preserve – so we’re turning that necessity into an opportunity to add a trail that will allow people with a wider range of abilities to access the wetland at the heart of the preserve. We deliberately routed the trail around the beautiful old oaks and only removed fast-growing or invasive non-native trees. The rickety bridges will be replaced with stronger ones and portions of the boardwalk will be upgraded.
Everything is just so much more complex than it first appears. The vandals probably live in the same neighborhood and have toilets connected to that very city sewer system.

👇BELOW: TOP CRIMES PEOPLE ARE ARRESTED FOR IN MICHIGAN👇

Can You Help Identify Kalamazoo Vandalism Suspects?

Kalamazoo Public Safety asks that anyone with information on the suspects in the photos or the incident to contact KDPS at 269-337-8139.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.