CONSERVING THE Beaver Island Archipelago le ol k S ran y F to b Pho CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE This report provides an overview of ecological restoration efforts throughout the Beaver Island archipelago from 2013 to 2015. During this period Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) helped preserve and protect the truly exceptional habitats on these Great Lakes islands. With the support of many dedicated partners and funders, CRA boosted invasive plant control efforts while conducting survey work to better understand the rare island habitats and creatures that need them. Freshwater Refuge The Great Lakes Basin holds over 32,000 islands in its borders. This is the largest collection of freshwater islands in the world. Among these, the Beaver Island archipelago includes more than a dozen islands and stands out with its remarkably rich biological diversity. As global appreciation of Great Lakes biodiversity grows, these islands are increasingly recognized as a place of vital sanctuary. In Islands of Life: A Biodiversity and Conservation Atlas of the Great Lakes Islands (2010), a bi-national publication of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Beaver Island ranks as one of the highest in biological diversity among the Lake Michigan islands. In just over 55 sq. miles, the island contains some of North America’s most interesting landscapes with Great Lakes dunes, marshes, bogs, fens, coniferous swamps, northern coniferous forests and mixed hardwood forests. Juxtaposed next to these extraordinary features are the risks associated with increasing traffic and development to the archipelago. Beaver Island ranks in the top 10 most threatened islands basin wide. Topping the list of threats to native ecosystems is the arrival and establishment of invasive species like non-native phragmites (Phragmites australis). Fortunately, lovers of nature both on and off the islands have been exceptionally proactive in building a collaborative conservation team. Conservation The archipelago is home Resource Alliance was proud to further to seven federally threatened their efforts through invasive species or endangered species monitoring and treatment while building on the knowledge of species diversity Michigan Monkey-Flower (Mimulus Michiganensis) and distribution. Special thanks to the Pitcher’s Thistle (Cirsium Pitcheri) National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s Houghton’s Goldenrod (Solidago Houghtonii) Sustain Our Great Lakes Program, Dwarf Lake Iris (Iris Lacustris) Beaver Island Association, J.A. Woollam Piping Plover (Charadrius Melodus) Foundation, Little Traverse Bay Bands Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis Septentrionalis) of Odawa Indians and the Michigan Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly Department of Natural Resources for (Somatochlora Hineana) funding this important phase of work. i s k c n s a o n s w r o o a s l r P G a l P n il l o B l i d B B n a B B r T B B L T y L y b y b b o to o ot o ot h Ph Ph P Michigan Monkey-Flower Pitcher’s Thistle Dwarf Lake Iris Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly s Strategy for Success n o s r a P ill B B Treatment of invasive plants is a conservation priority because of B LT y b o the severe impacts they can have on native ecosystems including ot Ph the extinction of native plants and wildlife, dramatic changes in Nearly 60 different bird species were observed the water table and increased risk of soil erosion and fire. While during MNFI’s surveys including the bald eagle it is tempting to go out and treat infestations of invasive species (eaglet pictured), Northern flicker, Wilson’s immediately, this is one of the most common reasons for low snipe, common loon, Caspian tern and osprey. success rates. It is essential to ask the question where do we start and answer it with a sound science-based answer. t n e m To do this, CRA partnered with scientists from Michigan Natural e g a n a Features Inventory (MNFI) to better understand the extent and M d n a abundance of invasive species on selected nature preserves and e c r u o s conservation easements held by the Little Traverse Conservancy. In e R l a c i 2013, MNFI conducted floristic quality assessments and surveys of g lo o t e rp natural features, invasive plants and breeding birds. This information e H y b o ot helped prioritize the relative value of different lands in order to Ph determine appropriate treatments and where to apply them. Several amphibians and reptiles observed Once a conservation strategy is in place, the next question is, displayed rare physical characteristics. Notably, Eastern garter snakes were found with colors “how do we know if it’s working?” To answer this, scientists often ranging from bright orange, to bright yellow use bioindicators, living organisms that help gauge the health and pale turquoise. of an ecosystem. Amphibians and reptiles are recognized as key bioindicators because they tend to be very sensitive to changes in the environment. CRA worked with Herpetological Resource and Management, LLC to conduct surveys of amphibians and reptiles, collectively known as herpetofauna, over a three-year period. This work established a baseline of what species were present both before and after treatment of invasive plant species as well as evaluated the availability of suitable habitat for herpetofauna. Inventories were conducted in the summers of 2013, 2014 and 2015. Surveyors found multiple age classes of turtles Sites throughout the archipelago were surveyed including Beaver indicating successful breeding is taking place Island, Garden Island, High Island, Hog Island, Trout Island and on the archipelago. Whiskey Island. In total, 20 species of herpetofauna were observed. While the diversity of species is similar to what you would find on the mainland, the abundance of animals observed s n o is comparable to densities that would have been found s r a P ill B B B 50+ years ago across much of Michigan. T L by o ot Ph Multiple new species were found on the outer islands including the Northern spring peeper on High Island and Eastern milk snake on Hog Island. Photo by Pam Grassmick Photo by Pam k ic m s s ra G m a P by o ot Ph Two small river systems run through Beaver Island In just over 55 sq. miles, Beaver Island – the Jordan River and Iron Ore Creek. Systems contains almost every type of habitat that connect the Great Lakes to inland waterways found on mainland. Truly a botanist’s provide important spawning ground for fish dream – one can see so many habitats in species like coaster brook trout. In 2010, CRA such a short distance and find a rainbow coordinated a road/stream crossing replacement of treasures like the dwarf lake iris. where Iron Ore Creek empties into Iron Ore Bay to allow more fish passage. d a e t s i s m n r o A s . r L a e l P rg il o B e B G B y T b L o by ot o h ot P Ph Conservation partners are working to enhance Four species of salamanders live in the bird habitat throughout the islands including archipelago – the red-backed salamander, the installation of chimney swift towers. These spotted salamander, blue-spotted enigmatic little birds spend almost their entire salamander and the Eastern newt. Unique life airborne – they are unable to perch – they among vertebrates, they are capable of instead cling to vertical walls inside chimneys regenerating lost limbs, as well as other or in hollow trees or caves. damaged parts of their bodies. Beaver Island is named after the tribal group known as the Amikwa, the name for the beaver in Anishinaabemowin. The archipelago continues to be very culturally significant to the Odawa as there is a rich history of fishing and agriculture on the islands as well as important ceremonial locations and spiritual areas. k k ic c i m m s s s s a a r r G G m m a a P P by by o to ot ho Ph P Piping plovers, a federally endangered bird species, To date, the Little Traverse Conservancy has six actively breeds on Beaver Island – shoreline public preserves on the archipelago totaling 471 preservation is paramount to their survival. acres. Places like Little Sand Bay are home to rare The “piping” part of the name is a description of species like the Lake Huron tansy. Between this its call, a sweet, soft whistle. preserve and the adjacent state land, they combine to protect nearly 1½ miles of contiguous shoreline. Foundation’s Sustain Our Great Lakes program. Real Results Wildlife & Wetland Solutions was contracted to conduct two field seasons of survey and Islands offer an opportunity to manage for treatment work. The scope of invasive plant “invasive species free zones.” Where eradication management was expanded beyond invasive of invasive plants is often impossible on the phragmites to include plants such as wild mainland due to continuous reintroduction, parsnip, marsh thistle and reed canary grass. In islands, when properly managed, can provide addition, not only was the Great Lakes shoreline important refuge from these invasions. treated but inland lakes, state-owned land, Little Traverse Conservancy property and additional Fortunately for the archipelago, the Beaver private lands where permission was given were Island Association and local townships have also treated. been and continue to be very proactive in protecting these unique island habitats. In 2007, the two townships on the island agreed to initiate an island-wide invasive Interested in how you can support land phragmites treatment program and passed an ordinance the following year to create a protection efforts in the archipelago? phragmites eradication zone along the entire Whether you want to maintain ownership, Lake Michigan shoreline.