The El Topo Easement protects 3.5 acres on the main branch of the Galien River in the Galien River watershed. This area is known to bird watchers who look for the Cerulean Warbler which are found in densely wooded river valleys as found on El Topo. The Galien River at this property is a low gradient (relatively flat) stream, deep in places with a soft bottom. The property, with its deep river valley and steep hills is prone to flashiness — the stream’s rapid rise after a heavy rain. There is an extensive migration of steelhead during the spring and the fall. The pond on the property has a delightful array of frogs and aquatic insects. Green and bull frogs are found along the pond margins along with spring peepers and cricket frogs. The most unusual plant on El Topo is the prairie trillium (Trillium recurvatum), a special concern species, which is found in the floodplain. There are thousands of the prairie trillium here. In Berrien County the prairie trillium is locally abundant where there is an intact, healthy, mature forest like on this property. Little is known of the history of the land use on the property except that the previous owner, Richard Olsen, an eccentric local artist, used the property for his own personal canvas, sculpting viewing benches and art pieces which would allow the viewer to really appreciate his surroundings. The Crimmins family has placed the conservation easement on the northern portion of their property, which consists of a bluff and floodplain along the Galien River. The side slope of the bluff is very steep — 40 to 50 feet — and dramatic, with a view of the floodplain below.