🌲WMU trustees vote to hand Asylum Lake Preserve's day-to-day care to Kalamazoo County

If you walk the trails at Asylum Lake, the people looking after the place are about to change. WMU's trustees unanimously approved an agreement Oct. 29 that moves day-to-day stewardship of the 274-acre preserve to Kalamazoo County on Jan. 1, 2027.

Ownership isn't moving yet. The agreement starts a process to transfer the property to the county through future state legislation, and the proposed transfer would stay subject to continued conservation and state statutory restrictions, according to a WMU release. "Throughout the process, ensuring that this treasured nature preserve remains protected for future generations has been the fundamental goal," said Jeff Breneman, WMU's senior vice president for external relations.

• Capital outlay plan covers fiscal years 2028-2032
• Top state-funding priority: Knauss Hall renovation and addition
• Stagehand contract with IATSE runs through June 2029

Trustees also ratified a labor agreement with IATSE, with first-year market wage adjustments of up to 3.75% for Miller Auditorium stagehands and riggers, and passed a consent agenda with a total allocation of $39 million. President Russ Kavalhuna highlighted Bronco Bound, which offers scholarships of up to $2,000 for graduates of partner community colleges.