Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary

History of Baker Woodlot and the Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary

The documented history of Baker Woodlot and the Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary (RRNMBS) begins with the founding of Michigan State College in 1855. At that time, the College's landholdings were comprised mainly of dense forest (Crozier 1896). By the turn of the century, virtually all areas on campus had been cleared of trees except for two tracts of land (Smith 1897). These tracts later became known as the Sanford Natural Area and the Baker Woodlot. In 1894, the State Board of Agriculture resolved that these areas be preserved to demonstrate the proper techniques for managing woodlands to produce "continuous lasting profits." (Crozier 1896).

In November 1902, control of Baker Woodlot (approximately 78 acres) and Sanford Natural Area was transferred to the Department of Forestry (Bogue 1903), which holds jurisdiction over them today. In 1941, Baker Woodlot, which had originally been called South Woodlot, received its name to honor two brothers who attended the university, James Fred Baker and Henry Lee Baker (Beach and Stevens 1979). On June 5, 1999, Baker Woodlot was co-designated the RRNMBS in honor of Rachana Rajendra. Ms. Rajendra was an avid bird lover who was tragically killed in a car accident in 1997. To honor her memory, the Rajendra family and friends established an endowment in her name. Baker Woodlot and the RRNMBS serves the MSU community as a place to learn, explore and reflect.