HURON PINES

WETLANDS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Project Description
This project builds upon and joins past efforts to remove invasive species and
protect habitat for the many rare plants and animals that live in coastal wetlands
near Alpena, MI. Project activities will include locating rare plant and animal habitat;
protecting it through removing invasive plants like glossy buckthorn, phragmites,
reed canarygrass, and European frog-bit; and creating or improving vegetation from
upland down to aquatic sites, thereby improving fish spawning habitat and nesting
and hibernation corridors for snakes, turtles, and insects. Through a collaborative
approach, a partnership of agencies and nonprofit groups will remove invasive
species, plant native buffers, and connect upland and wetland habitat areas for
herpetofauna. By working together, the project partners will pool strengths and
sustain efforts while preventing these wetlands from becoming degraded over time.
The end result will be a resilient natural community connected to an engaged
people community.
Project Abstract
The coastline of Lake Huron in Northeast Michigan is home to rare plants and
wildlife, some of which occur only in a few places in the world. These wetlands share
several major threats: habitat fragmentation and loss, high nutrient input, and
invasive species, which are all linked to each other and combine to degrade
ecosystems. By partnering across land ownership, we will be able to work at a larger
scale with a common vision to enhance and expand the benefits of past efforts.
The outcomes across four priority wetlands and adjacent land include:
-Reclaim 250 acres of wetland habitat through invasive species management.
-Reconnect 40 acres of reptile habitat complexes.
-Restore 100 acres of dune and swale complex by protecting priority habitat.
-Reduce nutrient inputs on 1000 shoreline feet.
-Showcase native wetlands to visitors and community members.
Major project partners are the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan
Natural Features
Inventory, and The Nature Conservancy, with assistance provided by U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Activities will include:
Remove invasive plants; Improve native vegetation diversity and reduce nutrient
inputs by planting native wetland and coastal plants on 10 sites; Develop habitat
restoration plans to increase nesting habitat for turtles and to protect hibernacula
for massasauga; Train community members to monitor and maintain projects
Locations: Misery Bay, Whitefish Bay, Squaw Bay and Hardwood Point (Ossineke
State Park)