SHIAWASSEE NATIONAL WaDLIFE REFUGE Saginaw, Michigan

ANNuAL NARRATIVE Fiscal Year 1998

3 /l'ljtJ tJ Date

- ~n-~ Program ARD

Geographic6k~ ARD Review· ~J'~'troDate TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ...... 4 HIG.HLIGIITS ...... 5 CLIMA1E DATA ...... 6

1. MONITORING AND STUDIES a. Surveys and Censuses ...... ·...... 7 b. Studies and Investigations ...... · ...... 7

2. HABITAT RESTORATION a. Wetland Restoration ...... 8 b. Upland Restoration ...... 10 c. Deepwater/Riverine Restoration ...... ·...... 11

3. HABITAT MANAGEMENT a. Water Level Management ...... 12 b. Moist Soil Management ...... 14 c. Graze/Mow!Jiay ...... ·...... 15 d. Farming ...... ~ ...... 16 e. Forest Management ...... 16 f Fire Management ...... 16 g. Pest Plant Control ...... 17

4. FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT a. Bird Banding ...... 19 b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment ...... 19 c. Reintroductions ...... 19 d. Nest Structures ...... 19 e. Predator and Exotic Control ...... 20

5. COORDINATION ACTIVITIES a. Interagency Coordination ...... 21 b. Tribal Coordination ...... 21 c. Private Lands Activities ...... 21

6. RESOURCE PR.01ECTION a. Law Enforcement ...... 23 b. Permits and Economic Use Management ...... 24 c. Contaminant Investigation ...... 24 d. Contaminant Cleanup ...... 24 e. Water Rights Management ...... 24 f Cultural Resource Management ...... 24 g. Land Acquisition Support ...... 24 7. PuBLI<;: EDUCATION AND RECREATION a. Provide Visitor Services ...... 26 b. Outreach ...... 27

8. PLANNING AND ADMINIS'IRATION a. Comprehensive Conservation Planning ...... 29 b. General Administration ...... 29

WilDERNESS AND SPEC~ AREAs ADMINISlERED BY SHIA WASSEE 1. Michigan Islands NWR ...... 33 2. Wyandotte NWR ...... 34

CREDITS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36

APPENDIX ...... Follo~ngPage36 INFORMATION PACKET ...... Inside Back Cover

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2-1. On-refuge wetland restorations ...... : ...... 9 Table 7-1. Data for FY 1997 Hunting and Trapping Program on the Refuge ...... 26 Table 8-1. Funding- 1997 ...... 32 Table 8-2. Challenge Cost-Share Summary ...... 32 INTRODUCTION

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located in the central portion of Michigan's lower peninsula, near the south end of Saginaw Bay. The north boundary of the Refuge adjoins the south boundary of the City of Saginaw. The Refuge is in the fourth and fifth U.S. Congressional Districts of Michigan. The Michigan Islands NWR and the Wyandotte NWR are also administered by Shiawassee NWR. The establishment of Shiawassee NWR was authorized in March, 1953, by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S. C. 715-715s) " ... as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds." As a result of local and regional conservationists' initiatives toward reclamation (from marginal agriculture to natural habitats), the state of Michigan established the Shiawassee River State Game Area adjacent to the Refuge. Together, these two areas encompass and practice complimentary management on approximately 20,000 acres of some of the most valuable waterfowl habitat in the State. The Refuge is 9,094 acres. Shiawassee NWR, a portion of an area known locally as the Shiawassee Flats, has a contributing drainage area of approximately 6,060 square miles (10.6 percent of the state of Michigan). Four rivers converge in the Shiawassee NWR and account for the majority of the contributing drainage area. These rivers, along with their drainage area at the near~st U.S. Geological Survey gauge, are as follows: the Tittabawassee, with a 2,400 square mile drainage at gauge on river mile 23; the Flint, with a 1,200 square mile drainage at gauge on river mile 12; the Cass with an 850 square mile drainage at gauge on river mile 17; and the Shiawassee, with a 640 square mile drainage at gauge on river mile 14. In addition to the four main tributaries, several smaller streams enter the Shiawassee River within or just upstream of the Refuge. The largest of these are the Bad River, draining 248 square miles; Mistequay Creek, draining 137 square miles; and Swan Creek, draining 176 square miles. At the northeastern edge of the Shiawassee NWR, at the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Shiawassee Rivers, the Saginaw River proper begins. The Saginaw River, 22 miles long, flows northerly from this point through the cities of Saginaw and Bay City to discharge into Saginaw Bay, an arm of Lake Huron. Topography on the Shiawassee NWR is flat and generally ranges from 580 to 590 feet Mean Sea Level (M.S.L.). Flooding of the Refuge area occurs often, due to the Saginaw River's inability to carry the full load of runoff from the various tributary rivers. Flooding may be compounded by ice blockage of the various river channels during late-winter breakup. Water level elevations in the Saginaw Bay also have a heavy influence on flooding events in the Refuge area. Bay water levels are influenced by winds which may change water level elevations by four feet or more. The average water level in Saginaw Bay is 579.5 feet M.S.L.; however, deviations above and below that level are the rule rather than the exception. Although water level fluctuations from these "wind tides" are not as great on the Refuge as on the Bay, daily changes of one or two feet are quite common. High Bay water levels and high river discharges occurring concurrently pose the greatest threat to flooding. As recognized during its initial establishment, Shiawassee NWR provides a valuable stopover for waterfowl migrating through the Saginaw Valley. In the fall, peaks of35,000 ducks

-4- utilize the Refuge, including up to 4,000 black ducks. The significance of this last figure is such that the Refuge is included within one of six focus areas designated by the lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Basin Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The area also remains an important migration site for the Southern James Bay Population of Canada geese, with current spring/fall peaks of25,000/23,000, respectively. Due to its habitat diversity, the entire Refuge serves as endangered and threatened species habitat for a number of federal and state-listed wildlife species. The Shiawassee NWR Management District, established in 1988, covers 45 counties in central and southern Michigan. It includes 111 easements totaling 4,607 acres, located in 35 different counties. The District also manages a 22-county area for wetland restorations. In September, 1993, Shiawassee NWR entered into a partnership with the City of Saginaw through which the Refuge manages Green Point, a city-owned, environmental education facility. Renamed by the Service as Green Point Environmental Learning Center (ELC), the Center is located on the Tittabawassee River, which flows adjacent to the Refuge. Currently, the Shiawassee NWR is staffed by eight permanent employees, one temporary employee, and one term employee. The positions include a refuge manager, three refuge operations specialists, one wildlife biologist, one administrative technician, one tractor operator, one maintenance worker, one biological sciences technician, and one park ranger.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Four new bird specie$ added to .the Refuge site record (Section 1a).

• Major improvements made to Refuge wetland units (Section 2a).

• A total of 145 basins (513 acres) restored on 113 private land sites using NA WCA funding (Section 2a).

• Record number of Galerucella species beetles raised to aid in biological control of purple loosestrife (Section 3g).

• Nearly 200 wood ducks hatched from Refuge nest boxes (Section 4d).

• Land acquisition negotiations t3ke place with several agencies as well as individuals, and a diversity of tracts involved (Section 6g).

• First Wednesday programs initiated at Green Point ELC, and the premier issue of the Refuge Reporter published (Section 7).

• Planning and meetings for preparation of the Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan initiated (Section Sa).

• First nest record for greater black-backed gull established on Scarecrow ~land (Wilderness & Special Areas).

-5- CLIMATE DATA

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding area experienced a severe drought throughout most of the year. In addition, temperatures were warmer than normal, adding intense drying and drought characteristics to habitats on the Refuge. This left most of the Refuge wetlands without water from mid-summer through the end of the year. Other habitats were not as severely affected. Due to these conditions, agricultural crops were harvested early, forested tracts had an average mast and berry crop, and grasslands had vigorous growth.

-6- 1 MONITORING AND STUDIES la. Surveys and Censuses

The Refuge has a multitude of routine, ongoing wildlife surveys and censuses. The following are some of the survey highlights from FY 1998.

Low water levels in Pools 1A and 1B, due to a lack of precipitation and managed draining for dike maintenance, created extensive mudflats in these units that attracted unprecedented numbers of shorebirds. Record peak populations for the Saginaw Bay area were. observed for killdeer, lesser yellowlegs, solitary sandpiper, and least sandpiper.

Four bird species with no previous official site records were observed; yellow-crowned night heron, western sandpiper, hoary redpoll, and Iceland gull. At least four individuals of this last species were recorded, part of an untypical concentration of ''winter" gulls that occurred in January to early February, and also included glaucous as well as lesser and greater black­ backed gulls.

An unusually high count of2,567 tundra swans was recorded on the Refuge in mid-March, and a peak number of 26 bald eagles was observed on July 17, 1998. The eagles were taking advantage of feeding opportunities as pools and wetlands dried, limiting fish movement.

One hundred thirty-five Canada goose goslings from 29 broods were counted during a June brood survey.

1b. Studies and Investigations

Monitoring Nongame Migratory Bird Nesting on the Idle Fields and Wetlands ofa Lapeer County, Michigan Farm: Results of the 1998 point count remained similar to the previous two years, though with a notable 3x increase in swamp sparrows. Henslow's sparrows, the species of most conservation concern to be found at this site, were present for the second consecutive year.

Round Goby and Michigan Endangered Darter Survey on the Shiawassee NWR. Saginaw County, Michigan in 1998: Twenty-one species offish were captured by electro-fishing and bottom trawling from May to September in this study conducted by the FWS Alpena Fisheries Office. The most numerous species overall were gizzard shad and common carp. Channel catfish and pumpkinseed were the most abundant sportfish. No round goby or Michigan endangered darter species were captured.

-7- 2 HABITAT RESTORATION

2a. Wetland Restoration

On-Refuge Shiawassee NWR enhanced wetland management capabilities on 863 acres of existing wetland habitat in FY 98. Projects included the reconstruction of 1,000 feet oflow level dike and the placement of rock rip-rap along the river side of Pool 2, from the NW corner to the NE comer of the unit. A front-end loader was rented, and dozer work and hauling of material were contracted for this project, at a total cost of$30,390. In September, contract work at a cost of $4,000 was performed on the Kaufinann tract. The spillway on the east dike was extended 25 feet and improved with additional rip-rap, and a water control structure was installed south of the spillway.

Pool 2 dike after rehabilitation. Pool 2 dike prior to rehabilitation. EPD 8/98 EPD 9/98

All other wetland enhancement work accomplished on the Refuge this year was force-account funded. Sections ofthe dike on the Pool1A unit were reshaped and fortified. Water control structures in Pool 3 were repaired and rip-rap was placed around the inlet pipes. Two 24" diameter Agri-Drain water control structures were installed in MSU 2a and 2b dikes to allow for optimum water level management capabilities for waterfowl and shorebirds. In addition, rock rip-rap along the west dike ofTrinklein Unit 1N was extended 6 feet lower (below low water line) to combat muskrat damage, and approximately 3, 000 linear feet of ditch along MSU 1 was cleaned out to facilitate better water level management in this recently restored unit.

-8- Ta bl e 2 - 1. 0 n-R efi uge W e tl and R es t orat• Ions UNIT ACRES ACTIVITY Pool1A 315 Re-slope river side dike and rip-rap severe erosion sections Pool2 115 Reconstruct dike, and rip-rap Shiawassee River side of dike Pool3 300 Re-habilitate water control structures and rip-rap around inlet pipe

MSU2a&2b 75 Install two, 24" diameter Agri-Drain stop log structures to allow for maximum water level management

Kaufinann Tract 58 Install24" dia. Agri-Drain water control structure and extend spillway 25 feet

TOTAL 863

OtT-Refu&e The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, Private Lands Office administers a 22-county Private Lands Management District (PLMD) located in central Michigan. In 1998,.145 wetland basins on 113 properties were restored for 513 acres within the PLMD under the Services's Partners For Fish and Wildlife Program (PFW).

Shiawassee NWR-Private Lands Office assisted the East Lansing State Private Lands Office in obtaining two North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grants for fiscal years 1997 and 1998. The first was a $105,000 Lower Michigan NAWCA grant administered by the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; County Soil Conservation Districts; Pheasants Forever; Wetlands Foundation of West Michigan; Michigan Department of Agriculture; Michigan United Conservation Clubs; the PFW Program; and private landowners. The Lower Michigan NAWCA grant is for the 40- county lower peninsula of Michigan, excluding the 22 counties of the Saginaw Bay Watershed. The primary delivery of these grant funds is through the Service's PFW Program. The Lower Michigan NAWCA grant resulted in 41 wetland basins restored in 9 counties located in the Shiawassee PLMD for 115.8 acres in 1998.

The second NAWCA grant that Shiawassee NWR utilized in 1998 through the Partners program was the $750,000 Saginaw Bay Watershed Grant which encompasses the 22 counties of the Saginaw Bay Watershed. The private lands component of this grant provided $260,000 for the Shiawassee NWR and East Lansing Ecological Services Private Land Offices, and the East Lansing State Private Lands Coordinator's Office. This grant is administered by the Great Lakes Regional Office of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and is in partnership with the Michigan DNR, Michigan Duck Hunters Association, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, County Drain Commissioners, Bay Area Community Foundation, County Soil Conservation Districts and private land owners. The Saginaw Bay Watershed NAWCA grant resulted in 104 wetland basins restored in 14 counties located in the Shiawassee PLMD for 397.2 acres in 1998.

-9- Partners for Fish and Wildlife Project in Sanilac County. 6/98 David Newkirk, NRCS 2b. Upland Restoration

On-Refuge The Refuge restored four acres of native grassland and wildflower habitat along the Curtis road parking lot. A three-acre area adjacent to the parking lot and county road was sprayed with Roundup glyphosate, prescription burned, and seeded with a Michigan DNR native grass drill. In addition, a one-acre native grass filter strip along the agriculture field and ditch was seeded as well.

Planting native grass and forb seed following prescribed fire. 6/98 JTH

OtT-Refuge The Partners for Fish and Wt1dlife Program restored 20 acres of native prairie grassland habitat adjacent to two restored wetlands in Tuscola County to provide nesting cover for waterfowl and other songbirds. The area was seeded with a native grass drill provided by the Michigan DNR and Pheasants Forever of Michigan.

-10- 2c. Deepwater/Riverine Restoration

This year the Shiawassee NWR, PFW Program expanded to include in-stream fish habitat restoration projects. In partnership with the Timberland Resource, Conservation and Development Council, Trout Unlimited, Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation, and the U.S. Forest Service, a total of 1.5 miles of trout stream habitat was restored in the Muskegon River watershed. Closer to home, a 1.5 mile reach of warm water stream habitat and riparian habitat on the Bad River was completed in partnership with the Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation and the Friends of the Bad River. The Bad River flows into the Refuge and is part of the larger Saginaw Bay Watershed.

-11- 3 HABITAT MANAGEMENT

3a. Water Level Management

The ability to manage Refuge wetlands is tied directly to the level of the Saginaw River System and Saginaw Bay, part of Lake Huron. Over the last 18 months the lake levels have dropped from near record highs to depths at or below average levels, with direct impacts on management of Refuge wetlands. The results of management on the various pools, marshes and moist soil units (MSU' s) are summarized in this and the following section. ·

PoollA This 315-acre open water unit operates chiefly as a loafing area for waterfowl. The unit also supports year round habitat for a variety of marsh birds and occasional seasonal habitat for shorebirds. The Refuge operated the unit as an emergent marsh/open water area during the spring flights. However, scheduled drawdowns along with a severe drought gradually drained the unit through the summer. This provided ideal conditions for the fall flight of shorebirds but little chance for use by the fall waterfowl flights. The unit finished the year totally dry with massive amounts of moist soil seed production unused by the wildlife. Refuge staff took advantage of the drought to repair portions of the dikes surrounding this wetland.

PoollB This 190-acre unit operates in a similar fashion to Pool1A. The objective for this Pool is also the same. Encroachment of woody species along scattered islands and dikes has developed a unique habitat for some of the wading birds such as herons and bitterns. The trees have reached a height that offers nesting potential for night herons. This unit followed the same pattern as reported above, gradually drying out over the year. No dike repairs were carried out on this Pool.

-12- Due to the drought, Refuge marshes and wetlands experienced unusually dry conditions entering the autumn migration. 9/98 EPD

The north dike of Pool 2 was restored and fortified after years of damage during high wind/water events from the Shiawassee River. 9/98 EPD

Pool2 This 115-acre Pool is once again a manageable wetland. For years, structural failure of the north dike allowed the unit to revert to a homogeneous stand of cattails. Repairs carried out from 1994 through 1997 pennitted the Refuge to place water on the Pool year round and encourage muskrats to help move the unit back toward a hemi-marsh condition. However, last year the Pool took a step back with the drought and drawdowns drying out the entire unit early in the year. This allowed the unit to slip back towards a homogeneous stand of cattails with few if any muskrats present due to low water. The maintenance staff was able to carry out several repairs to the dikes on this Pool.

-13- Pools 3 and 5 These two units measure 820 acres and are managed as a greentree reservoir. Precipitation and river levels were so low through the year that waterfowl made only limited use of the greentree during the spring. By late summer the slough running through the Pools was dry. Fall rains never came and the Pools remained dry for the rest of the year. The dike separating these Pools from the Spaulding Drain has been eroding for years. In 1998, the area was surveyed and soil samples were taken as a first step toward improving the Spaulding Drain dike. Construction work is scheduled to begin in 1999.

Pool4 Land exchange negotiations with the Realty Division of the Michigan Department ofNatural Resources (DNR) for this isolated 440-acre tract appear to be nearing a resolution. Repairs to deteriorated dikes and water control structures have been suspended during this negotiation process.

North Marsh North Marsh is a 113-acre wetland providing a stable emergent marsh habitat used by waterfowl, marsh, and shorebirds plus a variety of other wildlife. The drought, plus low river and lake levels left about half of this unit dry from early summer through the end of the year. This resulted in aerobic soil conditions and a lush growth of moist soil plants. The unit experienced good bird use throughout the year. A breach in the eastern exterior dike in 1991 has resulted in this unit operating successfully in. a natural state. If renovations occur ih the future, the design should ensure that the dynamics of this wetland will persist.

Trinklein lN. lC and lS · This 241-acre unit is subdivided into three subunits, and is a mosaic pattern of semi-permanent marsh, moist soil units and grassy nesting cover. This area was used extensively by wildlife as a feeding, loafing, and breeding area. The year started wet, offering excellent waterfowl use during the spring flight. In late spring, stoplog boards were removed from the water control structures to provide more of an interchange between the wet and dry areas for shorebirds. The severe drought continued to dry the unit out over the summer. Heavy moist-soil plant development occurred, but the unit went into the fall and winter totally dry, offering little opportunity for wildlife use. 3b. Moist Soil Management

The Refuge currently has four units designated for moist soil management. By the end of the year, the Refuge had renovated the Kaufinann Tract with plans to manage the unit as a moist soil unit. This brings the total number of moist soil wetlands to five. The following summarizes activities and results for the year.

Moist Soil Unit 1 This 13 7 -acre wetland is operated for optimum feeding potential for waterfowl during the spring and fall flights. The unit also provides mudflats for shorebirds after the waterfowl

-14- migration. In 1998, water was retained for the spring flights through the first part of April, offering good use by waterfowl and shorebirds. The unit remained dry through the remainder of the year. The dry conditions through the summer were planned in order to complete scheduled dike work. However, the extreme drought prevented the Refuge from providing optimum water levels during the fall. What water the Refuge was able to pump onto the field was quickly located by the birds and utilized extensively.

Moist Soil Unit 2 This 75-acre unit is operated and managed with the same intent as MSU 1. The area also experienced the same water regime through the year. Migrating birds were able to make good use of the unit during the spring. The early drawdown not only optimized use by puddle ducks and shorebirds, but allowed time for the staff to complete final alterations to the newly subdivided unit. The Refuge now has independent water control to each of the three separate moist soil units in these two fields. -As with the MSU 1, the severe drought experienced this year offered little opportunity for water manipulations to alter vegetative response. The Refuge was able to add some water to the two subunits for the fall migratory bird flights by electrical pumping. ·

Moist Soil Unit 3 A planned water regime is not possible on this 92-acre unit due to dike and water control weaknesses. As a result, the management objective of providing feeding and loafing habitat for migratory birds is dependent on unpredictable weather patterns. This year, river levels and weather patterns left the unit dry for most of the year. Some spring use was reported. An interesting historic cordgrass community has reestablished itself over most of the unit.

Moist Soil Unit 4 This 82-acre unit also operates under the same weaknesses as mentioned above. This unit, as with all of the moist soil units, suffered from severe drought which left the field dry for most of the year. Some spring and fall use was reported in the northern part of the unit where puddle water and mud offered some habitat use. The unit has separated into three minor habitat types, with an emergent marsh in the northern section, woody shrubs and brush dominating the central section and the southern portion comprised of grasses and wetland vegetation.

Kaufmann Tract This newly operating, 51-acre wetland will be managed as a moist soil unit. The drought this past year offered the Refuge the chance to complete work on the dike, spillway and water control structures. However, water was lacking for the fall flight due to the extended drought experienced over the year. The unit finished the year totally dry.

3c. Graze/Mow/Hay .

The Refuge has about 580 acres of grasslands in several scattered parcels. Most of the tracts are naturally maintaining themselves in meadow-like conditions while the remainder are slowly

-15- converting to brush. None of the grasslands are being managed as a grazing or haying operation. The objectives for management of the Refuge grassland units are to provide habitat for migrating grassland bird species, limited nesting opportunities for resident species, and a ready food source for raptor populations during the year. Management of a portion of this acreage requires periodic prescribed burning. 3d. Farming

The Refuge manages 1,180 acres as cropland under a soybean/com/small grain rotation. The primary objective for the program is to provide food for waterfowl during the spring and fall flights, and support the managed goose hunt. The 1998 growing season was a mixed bag for the cooperators. The unusually warm and dry conditions allowed the farmers to seed the fields early, but the extended drought and warm weather reduced yields. The weather conditions experienced on the Refuge also required the cooperators to move up their harvest dates. Crops not only ripened earlier but the drought left the plants in a frail state. The stalks became so weak that strong winds, animals, or humans brushing against the plants would break them down. By the end of the year, the powder-dry agricultural fields were showing soil fissures of 6 to 10 inches deep. 3e. Forest Management

The 4,225 acres of forested habitat at Shiawassee NWR include two tracts that operate as a greentree reservoir. The acreage is almost exclusively bottomland hardwoods made up of second-growth, even-age stand. Regeneration of the selective and clear cuts, carried out in the late 1980's, have shown steady improvement since deer numbers have decreased to more manageable levels. Refuge deer populations have stabilized at approximately 30 per square mile, and tree seedlings such as green ash and cottonwood have shown significant growth. Other tree species such as oak and hickory appear to be at the break-even point, where the plant is surviving but almost the entire year's growth is being browsed. The mast producing seedlings planted in 1997 suffered additional mortality, now totaling 30%, as a result of drought and rodent damage. The forest management goal is to develop a two-tier canopy forest, favoring mast and cavity producing trees without jeopardizing populations of forest interior birds. 3f. Fire Management

In 1998, spring conditions offered ideal circumstances to complete a number of prescribed burns. However, the personnel were not available due to travel, training, and leave. . Successful burns were completed on portions of the Trinklein Dikes. No wildfires were experienced this year.

-16- 3g. Pest Plant Control

The third year of Galerucella species beetle production for control of purple loosestrife plants began with 475 beetles, most gathered from the overwintered outdoor plants, and a few that survived overwinter storage in a refrigerator. A total of60,700 beetles were raised, ofwhich 34,300 were released at five different sites on the Refuge, including two new beetle release sites north of the Shiawassee River. Each release site has 10 permanent plot locations established to monitor beetle and purple loosestrife response over time.

This Galerucella species rearing facility has produced 117,000 beetles in 3 years to aid purple loosestrife control efforts. 8/98 EPD

A total of 19,600 beetles were donated to Ottawa NWR in Oak Harbor, Ohio, and 4,500 beetles were shipped to the La Crosse District of the Upper Mississippi NWR In addition, 2, 100 beetles were held to overwinter on plants in the beetle nursery, and 200 were overwintered in the refrigerator.

Reed canary grass and purple loosestrife were treated with Roundup glyphosate herbicide over approximately 54 acres ofTrinklein Unit 1C, and purple loosestrife was hand-pulled over the entire 79 acres. In Trink:lein Unit IN, hand pulling and Roundup herbicide were used to kill or remove reed canary grass, purple loosestrife, willows, and cottonwood seedlings over 56 of the 91 total acres.

-17- Galerucella species beetles were released into purple loosestrife stands at five Refuge sites. 8/99 JTH

Purple loosestrife stands were mowed during their flowering period over approximately 39 acres ofMSU 2 to decrease seed production. In MSU 1. willows were hand-pulled over the northeast 1/4 of the unit while soils were moist. Roundup herbicide was applied in the fall to cool season grasses to favor prairie establishment in an area of Farm Unit 2 north of the Curtis Road parking lot.

-18- 4 FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

4a. Bird Banding

American black ducks are the primary target for bird banding with a quota of 200 ducks. Capture efforts were made at the Trinklein twin borrow ponds using a Y -shaped walk in trap baited with com. In spite of much effort between September I5 and October 7, only I8 black ducks and 32 mallards were banded. Besides three Refuge biology staff and several volunteers, assistance was received from a Michigan DNR biologist.

4b. Disease Monitoring and Treatment

Since the establishment of the Refuge in I953, the area has been secure from diseases or outbreaks, with conditions rarely offering opportunities for such situations. However, in I998, wetland habitats, particularly through the summer and early fall, seemed to offer ideal conditions for the potential outbreak of botulism. The wetlands were characterized by shallow water, high ambient temperatures, low oxygen content and rotting carcasses of hundreds of fish. The staff watched diligently for problems to occur, but no outbreaks were . recorded.

4c. Reintroductions

Nothing to report.

4d. Nest Structures

Two nest box programs are operated on the Refuge for bluebirds and wood ducks. Of the 20 bluebird boxes examined and maintained by volunteer Lidia Gudino, 4 were used by bluebirds, producing 22 fledglings. House wrens fledged 48 young from I 0 boxes, and tree swallows nested in II boxes, producing 40 fledglings.

-19- Cub Scout Troop 3398 placed six bluebird houses along the Ferguson Bayou trail. A pair of tree swallows was using one of the boxes four days later. 6/98 EPD

There are now 55 wood duck nest boxes on the Refuge: 17 single boxes and 38 double boxes. In 1998~ wood ducks attempted 48 broods and were successful with 33 of these~ hatching out 199 ducklings. Hooded mergansers nested in three boxes, but weren't successful. Screech owls were found in two of the boxes, but weren't nesting. Wood duck boxes on the Refuge are examined and maintained by volunteer Gary Van Kirk. 4e. Predator and Exotic Control

Nothing to report.

-20- 5 COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

5a. Interagency Coordination

Throughout the year, Refuge staff participated in the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN). This group is made up of federal, state, and local governments and organizations that are located in or associated with the Saginaw Bay Watershed and whose goal is improving the environmental quality of the Bay. Refuge staff participate in the Agricultural, Land Use, Wildlife Stewardship, and Water Resources Task Groups. The Dow Foundation and The Conservation Fund are the lead organizations involved in WIN.

Each year Shiawassee NWR coordinates both the Refuge goose and deer hunting programs with the Shiawassee River State Game Area and the Shiawassee Flats Advisory Council. Regular meetings are held throughout the year with the DNR and the Council to regulate the deer harvest and hunt schedule. ·

Refuge staff met with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) throughout the year to discuss sites within the Shiawassee NWR boundary expansion plan that could be entered into the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). Sites were identified but funding differences have held up the process. The Refuge has identified approximately 20 landowners who have offered to sell parcels, but the Service lacks funding at this time.

The Refuge staff met with the Flint River Dike Board and the Saginaw County Drain Commission regarding the Misteguay Dike rehabilitation project. Both federal and private lands and facilities will be damaged in the future unless the rehabilitation project to improve this dike is completed. The Service has requested funding through the Maintenance Management System (MMS), while local agencies may assess local landowners and request both state and federal funding. The first phase of this project will be the removal of trees located on the dike.

5b. Tribal Coordination

Nothing to report.

5c. Private Lands Activities

The Shiawassee Wetland Management District (WMD) is responsible for a 45-county area located in southern Michigan. Currently, the WMD administers Ill conservation easements

-21- in 35 counties, totaling 4,607 acres. Two of the Ill conservation easements were transferred in fee title to two County Soil and Water Conservation Districts to be managed as outdoor education areas.

·. Enforcement problems continue to occur on many of the conservation easements. The following easement inspection example is typical of the problems that exist on the WMD in Michigan. An annual inspection visit to five conservation easements in Isabella County revealed that three of the five had no comer posts, while the others were apparently never posted. Each easement had a portion of the protected area under a crop regime or was being used for hay production. None of the landowners had ever met a Service person prior to our visit. The five conservation easements are owned by seven individuals which makes management of the easements more difficult each year. Shiawassee NWR has one person to implement the Partners For Wildlife Program and manage the Ill conservation easements on the WMD. Additional funding through the establishment of a Waterfowl Production Area in Southern Michigan would allow for the hiring of staff to effectively manage the conservation easement and Partners For Wildlife Program.

Technical Assistance Programs: Forty nine sites visited on private lands received technical assistance from the private lands biologist concerning potential wetland development, fish pond development, game species management, and other wildlife habitat program and management information.

Swampbuster actions are non-existent with NRCS. Debt write-down requests for farmers appear to be increasing with three requests made for technical assistance by the Refuge late in 1998 with more forthcoming in 1999.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP): The Shiawassee NWR-PLMD assisted the NRCS, Saginaw Bay, and Lake Huron WRP Teams in determining wetland eligibility and ranking requirements for 34 sites signed up for the 1998 Wetland Reserve Program in southern Michigan. The WRP team consists of a NRCS Soil Scientist, Engineer and District Conservationist, and a Service or State Biologist. Five tracts were accepted into the 1998 WRP program and five sites from the 1997 sign up are having Wetland Reserve Plans Of Operation developed by NRCS with the assistance of· the Shiawassee NWR Private Lands Office.

-22- • 6 RESOURCE PROTECTION

6a. Law Enforcement

There are presently three commissioned refuge officers on the staff. Ten violation notices and six formal warnings were issued during the year, mostly for hunting regulation violations.

In November, 1997, the Saginaw Police Emergency Services Team performed a hostage training exercise at Green Point ELC. Refuge officers Ed De Vries and Becky Goche participated in the scenario. For several days in December, De Vries coordinated Saginaw · Police Department efforts on the Refuge to unsuccessfully locate a missing elderly man who was suspected to have wandered into this area. The individual's body was found and retrieved from the Saginaw River several months later.

A total of39 incidents were recorded during the year, most of which were minor vandalism problems, usually involving Refuge signs and gates. In December, 1997, the glass in the front door of the Green Point ELC was shattered after someone threw a 55-gallon trash barrel through it. At the time of this incident only a heat-activated alarm was present. After this incident a system that senses glass breakage was installed. In July, 1998, intruders made an attempt to burglarize Green Point, but were unable to gain access to rooms that contained items of value. The alarm sounded, but Saginaw City Police did not respond until two hours later. A month later, .someone attempted to break the glass in the front door again. In that instance the person used a rock but only shattered the outer pane of glass.

In one wildlife-related case, three individuals were cited in January for attempting to take waterfowl during a closed season and operating an unregistered boat. They were observed on the Shiawassee River on January 9, 1998 (over one month past duck season), in ajonboat with an outboard engine, chasing after a common merganser hen and attempting to dispatch it with a boat oar. They continually motored circles around the bird which kept diving underwater, but when the hen resurfaced they slashed and chopped at her with their oar. They were unsuccessful in their attempts and were later intercepted by De Vries at a boat ramp in Saginaw. Their story was that they were trying to rescue the duck and were hoping their ·actions would aid it towards shore.

Law enforcement refresher training was completed by all three officers in Des Moines, Iowa in late March-early April. Semi-annual weapons requalifications were completed in September.

-23- 6b. Permits and Economic Use Management

A total of nine Special Use Permits were issued this year for activities which included beekeeping, mosquito control (Saginaw County), tree removal, Refuge photography within closed areas, gull research on Scarecrow Island (MI Islands NWR), and camping on Thunder Bay Island (MI Islands NWR). 6c. Contaminant Investigation

Nothing to report.

6d. Contaminant Cleanup

Nothing to report. 6e. Water Rights Management

Nothing to report.

6f. Cultural Resource Management

Nothing to report.

6g. Land Acquisition Support

Throughout this fiscal year, Refuge staff and representatives of The Conservation Fund (TCF) met with Mr. Fred Warner in Bridgeport Township t~ negotiate the acquisition· of his 113- acre tract which consists of an apple orchard and bottomland hardwoods and sloughs along the Cass River, adjacent to I-75. A portion of the tract is zoned commercial and has very good access to and from I-75. Over 3 million travelers utilize this interchange annually to visit the Village of Frankenmuth which is a few miles from the site. The Conservation Fund is willing to place an option on the tract to hold it for the Service for a year while a funding source is found. The Service and TCF appraised the tract and results of the appraisals are pending. Bridgeport Township officials have also approached the Service with a proposal to either lease or donate to the Service 300 acres that lie adjacent to the Warner Tract. They expect that trails and public facilities will be provided by the Service once this tract is transferred.

The 33-acre Leach Tract (Spaulding Township) adjacent to the Cass River was purchased for $44,000 in September, using Saginaw Bay NAWCA grant funding.

-24- In August, Mr. & Mrs. Winfred Case of Thomas Township met with the Refuge Manager to discuss a donation of over 50 acres of bottomland hardwoods behind their residence near the Tittabawassee River. The Region 3 Realty Office is working on the donation. This would be the first tract ofland acquired by the Service in Thomas Township.

Throughout the year both the Michigan DNR and the Service continued the process of transferring the Pool 4 area to the State, with the DNR trading to the Service land which is located within the Shiawassee NWR Expansion Plan. The DNR purchased the Sawatzki Tract (113 acres) and the Chrcek Tract (24 acres), both in Spaulding Township, during the Spring. Once both agencies agree that the State has acquired enough land to match the appraised value for the Pool 4 area, the land exchange will take place.

The Service continued this year to negotiate with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Coast Guard over the transfer of Thunder Bay Island in Alpena, MI to the Service to eventually be included in the Michigan Islands NWR. The BLM has requested the U.S. Coast Guard remove a· small dump on the island before the transfer takes place.

-25- 7 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RECREATION

7a. Provide Visitor Services

In fiscal year 1998, the Refuge served 73,956 visitors. During the year, staff and volunteers made several improvements to help make Refuge visits more enjoyable. New benches were constructed and placed along the Ferguson Bayou Trail and near the boardwalk at Green Point. A 10' x 10' study pier was installed on the north side of the pond at Green Point as part of an Eagle Scout project in August, 1998.

Refuge staff provided educational programs for all ages of students. Most of these students came to Green Point ELC to learn about a variety of nature topics. Roughly 33 percent of the . 6,806 people that visited Green Point were students and teachers. During the fiscal year, 2,213 students and teachers were taught on-site. Another 1,420 students were taught at their own facilities, such as the 212 children reached at the "Urban Day Camps" hosted at different locations within the City of Saginaw.

On October 1, 1997, park ranger Marc Beaudin kicked off a new program he developed, the ''First Wednesday Discovery Series," at Green Point ELC. This is an on-going series of fun and informative talks, hikes, films, games and other activities open to all ages. In its first year, this series of programs reached 318 people.

Opportunities were available for people to participate in goose hunting, deer hunting and trapping on the Refuge. Special deer hunts were held for youth and non-ambulatory hunters, in addition to the regular archery, muzzle loader, and shotgun hunts. Two people were awarded permits to trap specific areas of the Refuge for various fur bearing mammals.

T a bl e 7 -1. Data fior FY 1997 H untmgandT rappmg p rogram on t h e R e fiuge Total Visits Harvest Hunter Success Goose Hunt 1,114 595 53% Deer Hunt 2,090 237 28%

Trapping 100 1,526 21% (Trap Success)

-26- 7b. Outreach

The Refuge reached 58,768 people through various outreach efforts during the year. Displays were staffed and questions were answered at the Science and Technology Fair in Midland, Michigan, the Delta College's Earth Day Celebration, the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources Career Day, the Saginaw County Fair, and at the annual Waterfowl Clinic at Bay City State Park Staff also led special "motorized" nature hikes for a group of disabled people at the "Foss-Abilities" Fair at Mott Lake in Flint, MI.

The FWS Great Lakes Ecosystem display at Outdoorama. 2/98 ~I>

The Michigan United Conservation Club held its annual "Outdoorama" event February 20- March 1, 1998, in Novi, Michigan. A total of27 people from nine Michigan field stations and Ottawa NWR, along with three Regional Office staff helped with the FWS 's Great Lakes Ecosystem display during the course of the show (73 hours). Thousands of people attended this show.

-27- One of 200 participants in the annual Kid's Free Fishing Day 6/98 EPD

On June 6, 1998, the Saginaw Field and Stream Club hosted the annual Kids Free Fishing Day, This event attracted over 400 people. Two hundred children registered and received prizes. Refuge operations specialist Ed DeVries helped coordinate the event with the Club.

The Refuge now also reaches out to the public with the help of the U.S. Postal Service! The · inaugural issue of the Refuge's quarterly newsletter, Refuge Reporter, was mailed out on August 15, 1998, to about 150 people. Since that time the list has grown.

-28- 8 -pLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

Sa. Comprehensive Conservation Planning

Shiawassee, Wyandotte, and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuges began the process of developing Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP's) at the beginning ofFY 1998, when refuge manager Spencer participated in a CCP training course held at the Region 4 Office in Hadley, Massachusetts from September 30- October 2.

During mid~December, 1997, John Schomaker (RO-Ascertainment) met with the Refuge staff to explain the steps needed to complete all the plans.

On February 27, John Schomaker, Doug Spencer and Jim Dastyck met with Parks and Recreation staff from Michigan State University to discuss how the University could assist the Service in developing the public use portion of the CCP. It was suggested that public forums be held with many user groups, ie. planning commissions; environmental educators; law enforcement agencies; hunting, fishing, and trapping organizations; outdoor enthusiast groups; etc.

As part of the CCP, the RO Ascertainment office contracted with the University ofMinnesota. to develop a GIS program for Shiawassee NWR, identifYing zones of vegetation types often acres and greater. The RO also contracted with the Commonwealth Cultural Resources Group, Inc. of Jackson, Michigan to develop an "Overview Study of Archaeological and Cultural Values on Shiawassee, Michigan Islands, and Wyandotte National Wildlife Refuges in Saginaw, Charlevoix, and Wayne Counties, Michigan," with the findings to be included in the CCP's.

8b. General Administration

Personnel Refuge manager Douglas G. Spencer was promoted to refuge manager GS-13, effective on October 11, 1997.

David J. Peters entered on duty full-time as a refuge tractor operator on February 1,1998. David was formerly a temporary full-time biological science technician on the Refuge.

Richard J. McAvinchey entered on duty April26, 1998 as a biological science technician (wildlife) under a permanent part-time position, working 32 hours per week. Richard is also employed part-time as a forester/wildlife biologist for the Macomb Conservation District, and

-29- was formerly employed by the FWS as a wildlife habitat biologist at Kenai NWR, Soldotna, Alaska.

The Refuge hosted a Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) summer program which consisted of six enrollees plus a group leader who was a former YCC enrollee at the Refuge. The enrollees were all minority students from Buena Vista High School, which is a member of the Service's Cultural Diversity Partnership along with the University of Michigan. The enrollees maintained the Landscaping for WJldlife area, assisted with the Galerocella beetle project, did some trail maintenance, and provided administrative support. Field trips taken by the enrollees included a visit to the University of Michigan School ofNatural Resources, the Kirtland's Warbler NWR, and the Detroit Zoo.

The following is a list of employees who were members of the staff at Shiawassee NWR in Fiscal Year 1998: 1. Adams, Shirley L. - Administrative Technician, GS-07, EOD 08/17/97, PFT 2. Beaudin, Marc D. - Park Ranger, GS-05, EOD 08/17/97, TFT- 2 year term appointment 3. Dastyck, James J.- Wildlife Biologist, GS-11, EOD 11/04/90, PFT 4. De Vries, Edward P.- Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-11, EOD 02/09/92, PFT 5. Goche, Rebecca S. - Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-09, EOD 08/22/93, PFT 6. Hazelman, James T. - Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-11, EOD 10/02/94, PFT 7. McAvinchey, Richard J.- Biological Sciences Technician, GS-05, EOD 04/26/98, PPT 8. Nowosatko, Marion L.- Maintenance Worker, WG-08, EOD 06/29/78, PFT 9. Peters, David J.- Tractor Operator, WG-07, EOD 02/01/98, PFT 10. Spencer, Douglas G. - Refuge Manager, GS-13, EOD 09/01/91, PFT

Doug Spencer, Shirley Adams, & Ed De Vries David Peters & "Butch" Nowosatko

Jim Dastyck, Jim Hazelman. & Rick McAvinchey Marc Beaudin & Becky Goche

-30- Volunteer Program Volunteers continue to play an important role in many Refuge activities. Seventy-six volunteers donated 2,849 hours. Programs requiring help from volunteers were the International Migratory Bird Day Celebration, Summer Discovery Camp for Kids, Refuge Open House, Galerucella beetle rearing program, trail maintenance, and the non-ambulatory hunt program. JaniJie Spencer was selected as the 1997 Refuge Volunteer ofthe Year. She and other volunteers were recognized at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held on April23, 1998. The Practical Education for Citizenship and Employment (P.E.C.E.) group, made up of 10 minority high school students and one adult leader, along with student intern James Van Liew repaired over 1.5 miles of trails at Green Point during the summer. A General Motors employee also provided volunteer hours to the Refuge through the JOBS Bank program. In other volunteer news, volunteers Jim Finlayson and Ed Becker attended "Friends" group training in August 1998, in Minneapolis, MN. Since this training, they have been making preparations to establish a Refuge Friends group.

Equipment and Facilities A 30-foot Gulfstream mobile home trailer (1997) which was surplus equipment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was transferred from the Biological Resource Division of the USGS, Ann Arbor, and delivered to the Refuge on May 5, 1998. It will be utilized as future housing for Refuge interns, co-op students, etc.

Contracted work to replace the Houlihan Road bridge was initiated on August 31 by Gerace Construction. Two bridge inspections in 1985 and 1992 by the Region 3 engineers declared the old bridge unsafe, and this work has been planned since 1993. The laminated timber bridge will be 112 feet long and 26 feet wide when completed at the end of 1998. The total contract cost was $462,500.

The roof on the cold storage building was replaced in September at a cost of$11,430 including materials and labor. The roof is 6,790 square feet 9/98 EPD

-31- Work to improve the gravel drive and parking area at the Refuge HQ was initiated in late AuguSt, 1998, but wasn't completed by year's end. The work will include asphalt pavement, a wood planter on a comer, concrete wheel stops, and pavement marking.

New computer equipment purchas~ this year included a Micron Millennia 400 Max system for the Administrative Technician, and a package of equipment/software purchased to aid in the development of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan. This package included a Micron Millennia 400 Max computer system, an MC5 Mapper with GIS software, an Epson Stylus Color 1520 printer, ArcView software, and a Precision Lightweight G.P.S. Receiver (PLGR) kit.

T a bl e 8-1 . F und" m2- 1997 Description Account# Amount

Refuge Operations 1261 $385,225.00

Maintenance Management System 1262 $72,600.00

Private Lands 1121 $116,000.00

Emergency SupplemeUtal- Spaulding Drain 1262 E3xx $374,000.00

Resuiface HQ Parking Lot 1262 E3xx $16,800.00

Fire Preparedness 9251 $2,630.00

National Fishing Week- WO, Federal Aid 1234 $500.00

Total $967'755~00

T a ble 8 -2 . Challen2e C OS-t Sh are S umma.; Project FWSShare Cooperator Total Share

Bottomland Hardwood Reforestation $3,300.00 $3,300.00 $6,600.00 , Kids Free Fishing Day $2,000.00 $2,728.00 $4,728.00

Wetland/Grassland Trekking Packs $725.00 $725.00 $1,450.00

International Migratory Bird Day $375.00 $375.00 $750.00

National Wildlife Refuge Week $150.00 $150.00 $300.00

Bird Identification Sound System $150.00 $150.00 $300.00 Totals $6,700.00 $7,428.00 $14,128.00

-32- WILDERNESS AND SPECIAL AREAS ADMINISTERED BY SHIA WASSEE NWR

Michigan Islands NWR

The Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established by Executive Order in 1943 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Shoe and Pismire Islands in Lake Michigan, and Scarecrow Island in Lake Huron, islands of two, three, and seven acres in size respectively, were the first acquired. Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron was added in 1965, by a U.S. Coast Guard/FWS agreement under a revocable permit with five-year renewal periods, for secondary FWS jurisdiction on 121 of the island's 168 acres. Lastly, Lake Michigan's 230 acre Gull Island was ceded to the FWS by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1969. In 1970, PL 91-504, Stat.1104, designated the original three small islands as Wilderness Areas.

The Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse was built in 1857, while the keeper's quarters were built in 1868. 9/98 EPD

A sixth island was added to the Refuge in 1995, when Hat Island was transferred to the Service by the Nature Conservancy. Ten acres in size, it is located in Lake Michigan, to the north of Shoe Island. Due to the geographic location of the islands, the management of Michigan Islands NWR is split between Seney NWR and Shiawassee NWR. Thunder Bay and Scarecrow are administered by Shiawassee NWR; Gull, Shoe, Pismire, and Hat by Seney NWR.

Scarecrow Island is a small, limestone bedrock island covered with boulders and gravel, with a minimal soil layer supporting shrub~ scattered forbs, and a few snags which are utilized by double-crested cormorants for nesting. Ring-billed gulls, terns, shorebirds, and ducks also nest on Scarecrow Island. A visit to the island by Shiawassee NWR staff in May led to the discovery of a pair of nesting greater black-backed gulls, the first nest record for this species on Scarecrow Island, and one of four nest records for this species in Michigan in 1998.

-33- Greater black~backed gull above nest on Scarecrow Island S/98 MDB

Thunder Bay Island is limestone bedrock as well, but with a more substantial layer of soil which supports a dense interior forest of American yew, white cedar, spruce, fir, and birch. The shoreline includes cobble beach, limestone pavement, and freshwater coastal wetlands. A May 18 visit to the island by Shiawassee NWR staff found reduced gull nesting colonies, and more signs of egg predation than on other local islands visited. There were approximately 7,000 ring-billed gull nests and 130 herring gull nests counted, with eggs present but few young hatched. An overflight on June 18, revealed no activity in the ring-billed colony, so predation of the nests is strongly suspected.

Refuge staff returned to Thunder Bay Island in August to post the boundary. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages this island under a cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Land Management. Region 3 Realty is currently working with BLM to acquire the island. Both Scarecrow and Thunder Bay Islands lie within the waters of the proposed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, currently proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Service goal for the Michigan Islands NWR is to restore and protect endangered and threatened wildlife and plant species as well as species of concern which use these islands, protect island cultural resources, provide education to the public, and acquire additional Lake Huron islands for further habitat and resource protection.

Wyandotte NWR

Wyandotte NWR was established by an act of Congress -Public Law 87-119, 75 Stat. 243, 87th Congress, H.R 1182, dated August 3, 1961- "... to be maintained as a refuge and breeding place for migratory birds and other wildlife." From 1948 to 1961, the islands were administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Refuge consists of two islands, Grassy and Mamajuda, and adjacent shallow water areas. It totals 304 acres and is located in the Detroit River, offshore from Wyandotte~ Michigan, from which it takes its name. Wyandotte is

-34- named for a Native American tribe that once dwelled in the area. Public access is not permitted on either island, although Mamajuda Island no longer has significant land above the waterline.

The refuge is situated in what was once one of the most significant migratory staging areas in the United States for diving ducks. Extensive beds of aquatic vegetation, particularly wild celery, attracted large concentrations of divers- primarily canvasback and scaup. However, in the past 100 years, discharges from the steel and chemical industry, and municipal sewage effluent, along with the effects oflarge, deep-draft vessels, have degraded the lower Detroit River ecosystem. This has contributed to the substantial decline of preferred foods and habitat. Today, only remnant numbers of the once vast rafts of migratory waterfowl are seen at Wyandotte NWR.

Historically, Grassy Island was a 4-acre shoal. Today it is a diked 72-acre island which is covered to a depth of 12 feet (within the dike) with a total of 1. 9 million cubic yards .of material containing contaminated sediments from the nearby Rouge River and Trenton Channel. One boat load of material came from Lake Erie. All these sediments were placed on the island between 1961 and 1983 when it was utilized by the US Army Corps ofEngineers as a confined disposal facility for dredged material.

The dike which surrounds the island is built up to an elevation of approximately 30-40 feet above the river, and was constructed from material.dredged from the nearby shoal. Riprap was added later. In 1995, Grassy Island was designated as a Hazardous Materials Management (HAZMAT) demonstration site by the Department of the Interior. Refuge staff, US Geological Survey (USGS) Biological Resources Division, USGS Water Resources Division, and US FWS Engineering and Ecological Services personnel gathered soil and water samples from the island and shoals during 1997 and 1998. Soil samples were taken from 41 sites, and water samples were taken from 10 wells inside and outside the island's dike. Four cores of sediment and samples of wild celery tubers were taken from locations upstream and downstream of the island, and a marine geophysics survey was done of groundwater movements around the island. The soil and water samples were analyzed by Texas A & M University, and the four sediment cores were analyzed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. These analyses confirmed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), copper, mercury, lead and zinc in the island soils. These soils showed the highest levels of contaminants of any of the nine CDFs in the Great Lakes. River sediments surrounding the island were not impacted by contaminants, and no PCBs or P AHs were detected in the wild celery tubers. Interesting wildlife observations during this study period included the sighting of a gray fox crossing the ice between Mud Island and Grassy Island, and the discovery of a spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), a state­ listed threatened species, on Grassy Island.

The Service goal for the Wyandotte NWR is to remediate the contaminants on Grassy Island, restore the historically extensive wild celery beds, restore off-shore sturgeon spawning habitat, and acquire and/or protect other existing islands and marshes in the Lower Detroit River.

-35- CREDITS

Personnel responsible for narrative sections are as follows:

Marc D . Beaudin: Editing and layout James D. Dastyck: Climate Data, Section 3, and Section 4 Edward P. De Vries: Cover page, Table of Contents, Introduction, Highlights, Section 6, Section 8b, Wtldemess and Special Areas, Credits, Information Packet, editing, layout, and coordination Rebecca S. Goche: Section 7, editing, and layout James Hazelman: Section 2, Section 5c, Information Packet, and layout Rick McAvinchey: Section la, Section 3g David J. Peters: Section 1 Douglas G. Spencer: Section Sa, Section 6g, and Section Sa

Season follows season and life goes on. 6/98 EPD

**************

-36- ·'.e Refuge. Reporter Happenings at Shiawassee _NWR & Green Point ELC Volunteers make it happen here!

by Ed DeVries, Refuge Operations Specialist

The Shiawassee National Wildlife packets and assisting with telephone the Refuge at (517) 777-5930 and we Refuge and the Green Point calls from prospective hunters during will get you scheduled. Environmental Learning Center the summer and fall. received volunteer help from 121 individuals during the past yea~; We can always use volunteer including members of boy scout and assistance in some capacity. It may girl scout troops, school groups, clubs, not be glamorous or exciting and it Something and a core of 40 people who offer probably will not involve driving their services regularly. around looking at geese and dee~; but new! it sure helps the cause! We especially The work our volunteers perform is can use trail maintenance assistance to Keeping you up-to-date with Refuge very diverse and includes four main replace gravel and woodchips on the happenings has just become suddenly program areas, which are biological trails. It would also be nice to have easier! After months of sending out support, public use, maintenance, and someone (right now!) providing hunt individual program announcements to administrative support. Biological information via the telephone to the each of you, we've decided to support involves migratory bird many folks interested in our hunts. combine all that information into a censuses, nest box maintenance, and We will give you 20 minutes of quarterly newsletter This newsletter work with our purple loosestrife training and you will have just about will keep you informed of upcoming beetles (See "Beetle Mania" on next all the answers you need to start on programs at Green Point and the page). Public Use includes helping that job. I will provide you with a few Refuge, volunteer needs, and other out with the educational programs at interesting/entertaining answers for interesting information. Be sure to Green Point and assisting with various the tough questions. keep an eye out for it! public events such as International Migratory Bird Day and the Refuge September 12-13 is our annual Refuge Open House. Maintenance work is Open House when we open the entire primarily involved with nature trail Refuge to the public during daylight and parking lotupkeep, while hours. Visitors are allowed to hike Administrative Support includes and bike all our roads and trails during putting together hunt information that two-day period. On September 12, we conduct a seven mile long, self-guided auto tour through the heart CONTENTS of the Refuge, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We need volunteers to help orient Something new! ...... 1 Beetle Mania ...... 2 visitors and assist with tour hand-outs. Refuge Hunts ...... 2 If you would like to help with the tour Trail Closures ...... 2 or the phone calls, call Ed De Vries at First Wednesday ...... 3 Nature Notes ...... 3 Calendar of Events ...... 4 2 Refuge Reporter Fall1998

Beetle Mania by Ed DeVries, Refuge Operations Specialist

We are nearing the end of our third July, we had raised nearly 62,000 Since 1996, the Refuge has raised year of raising Galerucella species beetles of which 37,500 were over 119,000 galerucella beetles beetles on the Refuge. These little released on four wetland sites on from a first year stock of 4 7 soft-bodied insects will hopefully the Refuge; 19,514 were sent to individuals. Unfortunately, it takes aid us in our efforts to combat Ottawa NWR in Oak Harbor, OH; a huge number of them to have purple loosestrife. Purple and 4,502 were sent to the La any impact on purple loosestrife in loosestrife is an aggressive plant Crosse District of the Upper the wild. Perhaps I 0 to 15 years that out-competes native plants and Mississippi NWR in La Crosse, from now we will see these poses a threat to wetlands WI. In late July-early August, invasive plants controlled for good throughout the northern U.S. beetle production slows down through a combination of prior to fall/winter hibernation. biological, chemical and The beetles raised in our insectary mechanical controls. have been very prolific. As of late Refuge Deer Hunt Information by Shirley Adams, Administrative Technician

Applications for the 1998 pre­ a postcard to the DNR Field Office A local archery drawing for registered Shiawassee National at 225 E. Spruce Street, St. anterless deer only will take place Wildlife Refuge Deer Hunts must Charles, MI 48655. If you are at the Refuge Headquarters on be postmarked by September 24, applying with a partner, both Sunday, October 18, at I :30 p.m. 1998. Information sheets with hunt postcards should be fastened Doors open at noon. You must choice codes, areas and together and placed in one pre-register in person before I :30 instructions on how to apply are envelope addressed to the DNR p.m. Up to three persons can available at your local sport Field Office to prevent loss and register as a party. Eighty hunters licensing dealers, Department of errors. Successful applicants will will be selected for each hunt Natural Resources Offices, and the be notified by mail by October 14, period. The hunt periods are Shiawassee National Wildlife with further infonnation on permit October 22-26 and October 27-31. Refuge Headquarters. To apply purchase. Call the Refuge at (517) 777-5930 send t~e necessary information on if you need more information. Trail Closures

The Refuge trail systems will be the trail after I :00 p.m. The The Refuge trails may be closed at Ferguson Bayou Trail will also be different times due to hunting. closed to all visitors November 15- Green Point's trails will remain 18 and November 21-24. The open throughout the hunting Woodland Trail off of Center Road season. The Ferguson Bayou Trail will be closed October 22 to off of Curtis Road will be closed November I 0 and November 15 - until I :00 p.m. throughout the 18. Signs will be posted in the month of October, beginning either parking lots regarding trail · October 3 or October I 0, closings. Please call the Refuge at depending upon when goose (517) 777-5930 if you have any hunting starts. Visitors may use questions. 3 Refuge Reporter Fall1998

First Wednesday Discovery Series Continues by Marc Beaudin, Park Ranger

The First Wednesday Discovery about these much-maligned and In November, learn about a Series at Green Point ELC very beneficial creatures. You will fascinating slice of Saginaw's past continues this fall with something be amazed by the habits and with a presentation on the history for everyone. This popular series, abilities of these furry aerialists. of Riverside Park. Bill begun last October, is held the first Oberschmidt will take us back to Wednesday of every month at 7 "Sensing Nature: Blind Trail the days of dance marathons and pm, and offers a variety of Walk" is the program scheduled ferris wheels at Saginaw's own · presentations and activities that are for October. By blocking off our amusement park which was once free and open to the public. vision, our senses of smell, located at the end of Maple Street hearing, and touch come alive to on the Tittibawassee River. For September's program, Green help us gain a much deeper Point welcomes back the appreciation and knowledge of the Whether it's history, hiking, or Organization for Bat Conservation world of nature. This is an high-flying critters; the First for a lively and informative important step in becoming keen Wednesday Discovery Series this presentation, featuring real live observers of the outdoors. fall has something for you. See bats. Come and Jearn the truth you there!

ature ntes Stranger Than Strange by Marc Beaudin, Park Ranger

Would you believe there's an and Jeopard frog, use their ears This is part of the reason frogs are animal that hears with its feet, also to expel air which provides so sensitive to pollutants in the sings with its ears, drinks with its part of the noise of their environment and .are referred to as belly, breathes with its skin, and springtime singing as they claim a "indicator species:" their poor eats with its eyes!? Well, there is. territory and attract a mate. health or declining numbers is And you don't have to go to often the first indication of trouble. Madagascar or New Zealand to You could watch a frog in water fmd it. all day, but you wouldn't see him But what about eating with its take a drink. That's because rather eyes!? It's true. Watch a frog eJlt This stranger than strange creature than swallowing it, he just absorbs and you'll see that each time it is none other than our local it though his belly. In fact, his skin swallows, its eyes sink into its neighborhood frog. With nerves is sensitive enough to breathe head. What its doing is puShing the connecting its feet to its ears, it through, so even though he does yummy bug down it's throat with actually hears the vibrations in the have rudimentary lungs, he gets its eyeballs. How's that for a "see­ ground of approaching predators. most of his oxygen directly food" diet? Some species, such as the bullfrog through his skin. · 4 Refuge Reporter Fall1998

Shiawassee Calendar of Goose Hunt National Wildlife Refuge October, Sunrise to noon Headquarters: (517) 777-5930 Events 6975 Mower Road Refuge Headquarters Saginaw, Ml 48601· Drawing held at 5:30am. Curtis The World of Bats Road trails closed until I pm. Green Point Environmental September 2, 7 - 8:30 pm Learning Center Green Point ELC Columbus Day Holiday (517) 759-1669 See bats from around the October 12 3010 Maple Street world up close and in Offices are closed. Saginaw, Ml 48602 person! Presented by the Organization for Bat Refuge Archery Hunt Drawing Both are operi Monday-Friday Conservation. October 18, I :3 0 pm 7:30a.m.- 4:00p.m. Refuge Headquarters Labor Day Holiday Must be pre-registered for drawing. Fish & Wildlife Service web site: September? http://www.fws.gov/ Two hunt periods in October for Offices are closed. anterless deer only. Call office for Refuge Manager: more information. Doug Spencer Refuge Auto Tour Volunteer Coordinator: September 12,9 am- 4 pm History of Riverside Park Ed DeVries Curtis Road parking lot November 4, 7 - 8:30 pm Green Point Director: See the heart of the Refuge Green Point ELC Becky Goche and its wildlife from your A look back at Saginaw's car along a seven mile, self­ amusement park which was located Refuge Reporter guided tour. next door to Green Point ELC. Published quarterly by the Shiawassee National Presented by Bill Oberschmidt. Wildlife Refuge Refuge Open House September 12-13, Daylight Veterans Day Holiday Editing and Layout: hours November 11 Becky Goche & Marc Beaudin Entire Refuge Offices are closed. Hike and bike all Refuge roads and trails during this Thanksgiving Holiday once a year event. November26 Offices are closed. Sensing Nature: Blind Trail October 7, 7- 8:30pm Green Point ELC By blocking off our vision; the sounds, smells, and textures of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nature come alive! Green Point ELC 3010 Maple Street Saginaw, MI 48602 Appendix 1 Public Use is restricted to the nature trails. SHIAWASSEE NATIONAL LEGEND HUNTER ---- REFUGE BOUNDARY • ACCESSSrTE WILDLIFE•.. REFUGE •••••-•••••••• DIKE WITH ROAD !;_:· ·:;·:-]MARSH ltUUHttJUU•tUhfllf OtKE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR -=--==-~ DITCH - WATER U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ----- PATROL ROAD ••--••--••TRAI. ~MOIST SOIL =====ROAD ~ GREEN TREE AND ~ FLOOD RESERVOIR 3C> SPILLW,_Y K TOWER ..:

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WATERFOWL HUNTING 1. Reservations by mail are required to hunt during the first weekend of goose season and the first weekend of the regular waterfowl season. Contact your local DNR office between August 15 ·and September 5 for informa-: tion. · · 2. On all other dates the check station is open from 4:30. a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to _check game and issue hunting permits. Drawings will be held each day at 5:00 ·a.m. and 11:00 a.m. ·. 3. Parties of 2 to 4 hunters may choose all areas and individuals may choose areas ·57 -185. Parties of 2 may register one or two absentee members with those hunters' licenses. . 4. Only hunters not participating in the drawing may join an individual or party after the drawing. Registered hunters that passed or forfeited their draw will be considered as having· participated in the drawing. 5. Morning permits will be issued· until 10:00 a.m. and afternoon permits. will be issued until 4:00 p.m. 6. On any day that you have participated in a morning drawing and are issued a hunting. permit, you may riot participate in the afternoon drawing, but may be issued an unused permit. 7. Parties must hunt at their chosen post or strip, and leave only to retrieve downed game. Permit holders must return their permits to the designated location within two hours after their hunt. All game taken must be reported and/or presented for examination. · 8. During the regular waterfowl season, each hunter is limited to 25 shells. During goose-only season, each hunter is_ limited to 15 shells .. It is unlawful to possess or use shotshells loaded with any material other than steel shot; 888 is the largest shot size permitted. . . 9. Canada goose hunting is permitted during morning and afternoon hunts on weekends, but during weekdays 'is .. restricted to morning hours only. · · ' 1 O.A $3. daily or _$1 0 seasonal managed waterfowl area permit is required to hunt waterfowl on the area.

DEER HUNTING . 1 . Deer hunting is by permit only. From Octobe·r 1 to the end of waterfowl season, deer hunting is permitted only in areas A 1-A11. The entire game area is open from the end of waterfowl season to January 1. For permit information, contact your _local DNR office between August 15 and September 5. 2. A $3 daily or $10 seasonal permit is required to hunt deer on the area. 3. Permits must be returned during check station hours and within 24 hours of harvesting deer. SMALL GAME HUNTING •• Small game hunting is permitted in areas A 1-A11 only during the waterfowl season. All hunting is by permit only. (Special permits will be issued for raccoon hunting during evening hours.) No small game hunting until the opening of waterfowl ;;eason. The 'area is closed to small game- hunting November 15~30 and during the muzzle-loader season.

TRAPPING Trapping of furbearers is by permit only. Information may be obtained by contacting St. Charles Field Office, 225 East Spruce, St. Charles, Michigan 48655, (517-865-6211).

SPECIAL USE RULES These activities are prohibited: 1. Hunting or shooting from any dike, road, or trail; safety zone, buffer zone -~r retriever zone. 2. Constructing a shooting pit or permanent blind. Portable blinds permitted, but must be removed at end of each hunt. · 3. Using an amphibious or all-terrain vehicle or other motor-driven vehicle while in the game area. Outboard motors are permitted, but they must be operated at a safe, no-wake speed. 4. Parking outside of designated parking areas. (See map for parking lot locations.) 5. Trapping,- except under written permit. · 6. Camping during April 1 . December 31. 7. Taking cans or glass bottles _into game area.

BE A SAFE HUNTER - A safe . hunter obeys laws· governing hunting and boating and is alert to any conditions hazardous to personal safety of the hunters and others. 7/26/94 EOUAL RIGHTS FOR NATURAL RESOURCE USERS The Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunities for employment and for access to Michigan's natural resources. Both State and federal laws. prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color. national origin, religion, disability, age. marital status or sex under the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 as amended, Ml PA 453 and Ml PA 220. Tille V_ of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as Amended, and Americans with Disabilities Act. II you believe that you_ have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire additional infonnation, please write the OHice of Human Resources, u.s: FISh and Wildlife Service. Washington, D.C. 20240, or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, State of Michigan, Plaza Building, 1200 6th Avenue, Detroit, Ml 48826. For information or assistance on this publication, contact Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, Ml 48909. otd Rtvers of Tim To the French it was Les Fourchettes, "The Forks" -- so named for the rare merging of the Tittabawassee, the Shiawassee, and the Cass Rivers. To earlier inhabitants it was Shows-ko­ kon and 0-zhaw-wash-quah, "Green Point." The rivers provided abundant game for hunting, as well as a transportation route for traders. Many years later, these same rivers attracted lumbermen, miners, and farmers to the area.

Green Poin 's is or In 1977, the Goetz Grove Nature Center began providing environmental education for the Saginaw area. A year later, the city of Saginaw built the interpretive building and renamed it the Green Point Nature Center. For ten years, thousands of people learned about nature before the center closed in 1988. In 1993, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City formed a Park Ranger partnership to reopen Green Point. with kids, Today, staff from the Shiawassee Becky Goche, USFWS National Wildlife Refuge operates the u es a d Reg lations T gs o o a Gree P center. Protect Green Point's fragile plants Programs We provide a variety of environmental and wildlife, and make your visit safe programs throughout the year for Wa er, Wildli e and You and enjoyable by following these rules school groups, scout groups, educators, Our mission is to provide environmen­ and regulations. families, and others. tal education opportunities for the children and adults of the Saginaw • Stay on marked trails. Hiking Trails are open daily during daylight Valley. Green Point's programs hours only. Trail maps are available in revolve around our theme ''Water, • Bicycles are not allowed on the trails. the building. Explore diverse habitats Wildlife, and You!" In addition, we are on our 2.5 miles of nature trails. dedicated to the protection and • Dogs and other pets are not allowed. management of our various habitats Visit the See displays and aquariums with and committed to extending access to • Leave all plants, animals, and Interpretive native fish species. Visit our Wildlife the largest possible user population for Building educational and recreational purposes. artifacts as you found them. Discovery Room. Both the building and restrooms are accessible. Hours Diversity s e ey • Camping, hunting and building fires are Monday through Friday, 7:30 am Habitat diversity is essential to a are NOT permitted. to 4:00 pm. Closed on federal holidays. successful environmental education Please pack out your litter. facility. Located just north of the ... ~~!:~lt~. Volunteer Do trail work, help out with school Shiawas ee NWR, Green Point has groups and more. 76 acres of diver e habitats that Cross-Country range from bottomland hardwoods to We do not groom trails, but most can wetlands, to ponds and fields, even Skiing accommodate skiers. rivers and grassy lawns. Each of these habitats supports hundreds of Fishing Allowed only on the bank of the life forms. It is a great place to learn Tittabawassee River. No fi hing in the about nature! ponds...... North

Green Point Environmental Learning Shiawassee NWR Center

Green Point ELC, 3010 Maple Street Saginaw, Michigan 48602

· ns to Green Pomt From l-75 Take the I-675 exit. Follow I-675 and take the Michigan/Davenpmt exit. Head south on Michigan Avenue for about 3-V2 miles. Turn south Oeft) onto Maple Street and go 1/2 mile. The Center is located on the right side of the road.

Fl'om M-46/ Take M-46/Gratiot to Center Road. Gratiot Head ...,outh on Center for 1 mile. Turn east (left) onto Michigan Avenue and go 1-1/2 miles. Turn south (right) onto Maple Street and go 1/2 mile. The Center is located on the right side of the road. For more injonnation or to schedule a program contact the Green Point Environrnental Learning Center at (517) 759-1669. TTY users nwy teach us through the Michigan State Relay Center at 1-800-649-3i77. Have You Ever . .. Who WeAre Please check the box if you can help us with any of these Items. ~ Fished , hunted, boated or bird-watched Friends of the Shiawassee National Wildlife 0 Writing articles along the rivers? Refuge are mostly local people. We enjoy nature 0 Public Relations and wildlife. We are dedicated to the continuing 0 Public Speaking ).>- Enjoyed a hike or bike ride on a trail through protection of special places to renew the spirit 0 Grant writing the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge? and soul of mankind. We are dedicated to 0 Fund raising · teaching our children and the children of our 0 Newsletters )> Stopped to admire the wildflowers blooming? communities the importance of our own very .. 0 Brochures special wild places. 0 Photography )> Watched a Bald Eagle soar or a Blue Huron .. Computer skills fish? Our Goals 0 Scanner 0 Digital Camera These are just a few activities and.opportunities ,. Support the Multi-use concept o Web page Design available at the Shiawassee National Wildlife 0 Adobe.Acrobat Refuge. If you enjoy these activities and would ).>- Inform the public through interpretive tours 0 CD writer - like to show... your support for them, become a and workshops 0 Major software used: "Friend of Shlawassee" >- Provide opportunities for volunteers 0 Specialized software With your help, innovative programs and facilities . will continue to be made available. >- Locate funding for projSGts and activities to enhance the reluge and its facilities I have access to: ~ Inform elected officials about refuge issues 0 Copy machine 0 Printing facility ' 0 0 What Can You Do 0 0 Join us, be an active participant-exciting things 0 are happening. Even if you do not have special I have connections with other organizations who skills or equipment we need help to: would support the Friends : --Stuff envelopes -Make telephone calls --Run errands I have another way in which I would like to help: --Open mail -Write articles and letters ' .. We Need a Few Good People Do you enjoy the outdoors? Friends of Do you want to help protect the natural resources in the Saginaw valley? Shiawassee Are you willing to make a difference? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be the person for us. The "Friends of the Shiawassee" is a local, non­ profit organization devoted to protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources of the National Wildlife Refuge. The Friends act as .the collective citizen voice for the Refuge in a variety of arenas to raise awareness of the Refuge through outreach and environmental education efforts. Yes! I want to be a Friend!

NAME ADDRESS ______National Wildlife Refuge CITY STATE ZIP ______TELEPHONE{ ___, ------Meeting at __Regular membership ($10} Greenpoint Environmental __Supporting membership ($50} ** Learning Center Please make your check out to "Friends of Shiawassee" and send it with this form to: 3010 Maple Friends of Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Saginaw, Ml P.O. Box 20129 aginaw. Ml 48602-0129 (517) 759-1669

**Your choice ofT-shirt or sweatshirt included 3rd Thursday of the month - 7:30 pm Green Point Envtronmental ~8 Learning Center

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Shiriwassce National Wildl.ife Refuge (NWR) vl'as establislicd.in 1953 to restore and enhance this historically significant wetland area for . migrnto.r.y waterfowl. The Refuge contains over 9,000 acres ofbottomland-hardwood forests, marshes, pools, grasslands, and croplands. Four rivers meet on the Refuge - the Tittabawassee, • Flint, Cass, and Shiawassee Rivers.

Thp Birding Area

Tlie Refuge's diverse habitats provide res~ng and feeding areas for over 250 species of migratory birds, including.baid eagles, shore and wading birds, more than 100 songbird ..... species, and watel'fowl. During peak .\&...... "" populations, the Refuge ,hosts 25,000 Canada ... --~\L.-- geese, 30,000 d':lcks, 1,000 S!'Vans, and many wading and waterbirds. Other animGJ.lS that live here include deer, beaver, muskrat, Blanding's turtles, green frogs,' and gr~cn"darners.

/ Farming for Wildlife •

Farming is an important wildlife management tool on the Refuge. Refuge staff usc dikes, pumps, and gra~ity-flow structures to flood and drain marshes and forested areas. This "wet f<1rming" promotes the growth of invertebrates and seeds which w3ter(owl and bther animals usc for food. . ,. Lo. cal fmmers also sharecrop some of theJt,t~ /· Rc:fugc land. They take certain pcrcentag~S' (j"f~ ·the cr~p, leaving the rest in the field for \-,J,~- wildlife. These leftover crops provide wildlife· with a winter food source. ....,.------..,..:2-- ' ~p;-y'li'lXoq o. ?·.~..~.~.· ·.-:·oo · · . - ~.

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Shiawassee NWR is open year-round, seven days Hun~ing · a week, during daylight hours only. (During hunt Portions of the Refuge may be open to goose periods: hours ai-id a~ccss may be limitel) There. and deer hunting by special permit. Maps are a number of activities you can do throughout showing open areas and details on Refuge the vcar at the Refuge. hunting programs are available at the headquarters. -- Hildng -hoose one of our nature trails that highlight Environmenta] Education u_niquc features of the Refuge. The Woodland Our Green Point Environmental Learning 1tail, at the east end of Stroebel Road, offers 4.3 Center, located at 3010 Maple Street in 1:1i1es of trails through bottomland hardwoods. Saginaw, provide5 programs for children i!nrl You can sec a huge pile of shale left over from adults. You can hike the trails or view a variety the coal mining period of the early 1900's.' of displays ins1de the interpi"etive building. Hours valJ.' seasonally, so call ahead. The Ferguson l)nyou TI·CliJ, ~t the west end of Curtis Road, has over 4.5 miles of trails. This traH Volunteer follows dikes. and gives you views of agricultural hai·e your special talents and skills. You could lands, sloughs, forested wetland areas, and pools. co1lect biological ddtd, perform light 'IWo wildlife observation decks with spotting maintenance, or help out with special events. opes give you a closer look at ducks, geese, If you are interested, contact the Refuge. deer, and other wildlife.

Bicycling Both trails are open to bicycles.

Cross Country Siding We do not groom trails, but most can accommodate skiers. ~ •

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