CONSERVING THE Beaver Island Archipelago

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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.

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Michigan Monkey-Flower Pitcher’s Thistle Dwarf Lake Iris Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly

Photo by Pam Grassmick Whiskey Island. Island, GardenHighHogTrout Islandand Sites throughoutthearchipelagoweresurveyedincluding Beaver Inventories wereconductedinthesummersof2013, 2014and2015. availability ofsuitablehabitatforherpetofauna. after treatmentofinvasiveplantspeciesaswellevaluatedthe established abaselineofwhatspecieswerepresentbothbeforeand known asherpetofauna,overathree-yearperiod.Thiswork LLC toconductsurveysofamphibiansandreptiles,collectively CRA workedwithHerpetologicalResourceandManagement, the environment. bioindicators becausetheytendtobeverysensitivechangesin of anecosystem.Amphibiansandreptilesarerecognizedaskey use bioindicators,livingorganismsthathelpgaugethehealth “how doweknowifit’s working?”To answerthis,scientistsoften Once aconservationstrategyisinplace,thenextquestionis, determine appropriatetreatmentsandwheretoapplythem. helped prioritizetherelativevalueofdifferentlandsinorderto natural features,invasiveplantsandbreedingbirds.Thisinformation 2013, MNFIconductedfloristicqualityassessmentsandsurveysof conservation easementsheldbytheLittleTraverse Conservancy. In abundance ofinvasivespeciesonselectednaturepreservesand Features Inventory(MNFI)tobetterunderstandtheextentand To dothis,CRApartneredwithscientistsfromMichiganNatural and answeritwithasoundscience-basedanswer. success rates.Itisessentialtoaskthequestionwheredowestart immediately, thisisoneofthemostcommonreasonsforlow it istemptingtogooutandtreatinfestationsofinvasivespecies the watertableandincreasedriskofsoilerosionfire.While the extinctionofnativeplantsandwildlife,dramaticchangesin the severeimpactstheycanhaveonnativeecosystemsincluding Treatment ofinvasiveplantsisaconservationprioritybecause Strategy forSuccess find onthemainland, the abundanceofanimalsobserved While thediversityofspeciesissimilartowhat youwould is comparabletodensities thatwouldhavebeenfound In total,20speciesofherpetofaunawereobserved. 50+ yearsagoacross much ofMichigan.

displayed rarephysicalcharacteristics.Notably, Nearly 60differentbirdspecieswereobserved during MNFI’s surveysincludingthebaldeagle Surveyors foundmultipleageclassesofturtles snipe, commonloon,Caspianternandosprey. indicating successfulbreedingistakingplace Eastern gartersnakes werefoundwithcolors ranging frombrightorange,toyellow outer islandsincluding theNorthernspring (eaglet pictured),Northernflicker, Wilson’s Several amphibiansandreptilesobserved Multiple newspecies werefoundonthe peeper onHigh Island andEasternmilk snake onHog Island. on thearchipelago. and paleturquoise.

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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.

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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.

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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. In addition, the sell or donate your land, explore all of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians supported treatment efforts on the outer islands. your options for permanently protecting The Nature Conservancy also came to the table your property by contacting the Little with detailed plant surveys and carried out Traverse Conservancy at 231-347-0991 treatment activities in the fall of 2012. or [email protected] or visit landtrust.org. CRA was able to boost these efforts through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife

Photo by Herpetological Resource and Management Photo by Herpetological Resource Photo by Bob Williams Invasive species management safeguards balanced Sensitive habitats, like shorelines, are often ecosystems that support sensitive plant communities on the top of the list to preserve. Towering as well as herpetofauna and other wildlife over 15 ft. high, invasive phragmites populations. Healthy bioindicators like this Eastern completely chokes out surrounding plants American toad often go hand-in-hand with plants like and dramatically alters shorelines. the federally endangered pitcher’s thistle. Lasting Impact Fostering locally-driven solutions that preserve or develop land in a positive manner is critical to any conservation success story. Development is vital to the growth of a vibrant region. Equally important is protecting lands with the highest conservation values for all to enjoy.

Land protection, through nature preserves and voluntary conservation easements on private property as well as state lands including wildlife areas, has been largely successful throughout the Beaver Island archipelago. Approximately one third of Beaver Island is protected.

Photo by Frank Solle To see detailed project reports including Barney’s Lake, a 300-acre public nature preserve survey data and all the numbers on our on Beaver Island, offers visitors a chance to treatment efforts, please visit rivercare.org. meander through open meadows, hardwood forests and the Barney’s lake shoreline. Photo by Frank Solle CRA dedicated significant resources to permanently protected lands including the 230-acre Miller’s Marsh, an incredibly diverse marsh found on Beaver Island. A Bright Future

The momentum behind conservation efforts throughout the Beaver Island archipelago is truly remarkable. Government, tribal and nonprofit partners are all pitching in with the locals who love the islands to effectively plan and execute good conservation work that will last into the future.

Several hands-on projects are on the horizon including work

to improve inland waterways and wildlife habitat. An updated le ol S nk ra road/stream crossing inventory is needed to prioritize sites that may y F to b Pho fragment streams and disrupt the natural movement of water, sediment and aquatic organisms. In addition, habitat needs were identified at several preserves including the incorporation of woody debris, basking structures and hibernaculam.

Future management will also need to include invasive plant control efforts – both long-term monitoring and treatment are necessary to protect the ground we’ve gained. Partners are already building the local capacity for future “in-house” invasive species management, helping to ensure efficient and sustainable solutions.

Management efforts throughout the Beaver Island archipelago are on a successful path. One of the unanticipated outcomes of the recent work is a new process for natural resource management on state-owned lands in the northern Lake Michigan islands. With a careful eye on continued collaboration and innovation, these special places will be protected for generations to come. Photo by Frank Solle A shared vision for natural resource management on state-owned lands in the archipelago is crucial to the long-term success of conservation efforts here. State-owned lands comprise nearly a third of Beaver Island, nearly all of Garden Island, and the entirety of High Island, Hog Island, Whiskey Island and North Fox Island. Egg Lake (pictured) is one of the many gems bordered by state land. Photo by Frank Solle All Aboard

The success of this collaborative effort hinges on the commitment of many organizations, agencies and individuals. Thank you to the following for your vision, passion and creativity that make this all work!

Beaver Island Association

Beaver Island Wildlife Club

Central Michigan University

Conservation Resource Alliance

Herpetological Resource and Management

J.A. Woollam Foundation

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Little Traverse Conservancy

Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources

Michigan Natural Features Inventory

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Sustain Our Great Lakes Program

St. James and Peaine townships

The Nature Conservancy

Wildlife and Wetlands Solutions

Special thanks to our photo contributors George L. Armistead, Brandon Glowacki, Bob Williams, Pam Grassmick, Frank Solle of Stillpoint Photography, Bill Parsons with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and Herpetological Resource and Management. s n so ar P ill B BB LT by to Pho

Piping Plovers arrive in Michigan in early spring and remain for several months. They lay three to four eggs in shallow depressions lined with light colored pebbles and shell fragments. The eggs are extremely well camouflaged.

Conservation Resource Alliance

10850 Traverse Hwy, Suite 1180 Traverse City, MI 49684 231 - 946 - 6817 [email protected] www.rivercare.org

Conservation Resource Alliance is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving the water quality and habitat of northwest Michigan through community based, hands-on natural resource management projects. Founded in 1968, CRA is a highly regarded conservation leader in Michigan. Focus areas are major river systems and the surrounding wildlife corridors in a region extending from Ludington and the Pere Marquette River northward to the Mackinac Bridge.