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Northern Coastal ecological landscape

Attributes and Characteristics /swale complexes, conifer swamps, open meadows, and shrub carr occur in pockets. Large coastal marshes and embayments, Agriculture is the most prevalent land use conifer swamps, and the Escarpment in this ecological landscape. Recreation are the dominant features of this part of . and tourism, particularly in Door County, Many large rivers, notably the , Peshtigo, play large roles in the local economy. and Oconto, flow through the section of this ecolo- gical landscape on the west side of Green Bay and Conservation Needs and Opportunities play a critical role in maintaining the fishery of the Bay. With the and the With the Door County shoreline, the Niagara harsh shore, the Door County Escarpment, and the west shore of Green Bay, section harbors some of the state’s most unique this ecological landscape plays a critical role “microhabitats,” which in turn support some in maintaining some of Wisconsin’s most unique of the state’s rarest species. biological diversity. Habitats associated with the Lake Michigan shore—alkaline rock shores, coastal Along the Green Bay Soils are very diverse, ranging from excessively- estuaries, ridge and swale complexes, beaches and drained sandy and stony soils to well-drained, —support many species endemic to the Great and Lake Michigan fertile loam soils to poorly-drained clay. Vegetation , such as dwarf lake , locust, Northern Lake Michigan Lake Northern shoreline is equally varied. Forests of maple, basswood, dune thistle, and Hine’s emerald dragonfly. These CI and beech are common throughout the landscape. habitats also provide critical nesting, feeding, and CS Colonial Waterbird Nesting Islands Grand Traverse eyer Michigan Legacy Places GT M FOREST DP Islands Thomas MARINETTE Hardwood Swamps KL Kangaroo Lake Jung Hemlock-Beech Forest State Natural Area in Shawano County NQ GT EH Eagle Harbor to ME Estuary - Toft Point Corridor - LANGLADE CI PS ME MR LB Lower Wolf River Bottomlands Europe Lake PE EH OCONTO NY North Bay to SB PJ NY MR CS Bailey’s Harbor MENOMINEE PH NE Niagara Escarpment DOOR KL OM Oconto River Marsh OM NQ Conifer Swamp OR SHAWANO NE SS PS RD WS OR Oconto River DP PH Peshtigo Harbor SU PJ Peninsula State Park to LB Lake Michigan Marsh Jacksonport Corridor SB Seagull Bar KEWAUNEE PE Peshtigo River Green Bay

WAUPACA SS Shivering Sands BROWN RD Red River OUTAGAMIE West Shore Green SU Suamico, Little Suamico WS Bay Wetlands Appleton and Pensaukee Rivers 118 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Wisconsin Department of Tourism Wisconsin L Wisconsin ecological landscape Northern Lake Michigan Coastal Cave Point in Door County Door in Point Cave Figure 76: 76: Figure Forest 2 Forested Wetland 1% 14% Shrubland Open a Land cover of the Northern Lake Michigan Coastal Michigan Lake Northern the of cover Land 0% n d L d 6% Wetland e Grassland g a 6% c y Re y Open Water p 1% o r t

Urban 1% Agriculture 5 1% in the Northern Lake Michigan Coastal Michigan Lake Northern the in 77: Figure schools,cemetaries, ( m private land, i l i t a r y Public conservation and other land ownership ownership land other and conservation Public l a n Other d 96% s, etc

roads, . ) County 2% F o rest State 2% Federal 0%

Wisconsin Land Trust. Building off of off past Building Trust. Wisconsin Land the and the Ridges Northeastern Sanctuary Trust, NatureThe Conservancy, the Door County Land these protecting environments,in fragile notably microhabitats supporting many species. rare harbor ancient cool trees, springs and cedar slopesand rocky associated with the escarpment Canada, and eventually Niagarabluffs Falls. The Upperin the Peninsula Bruce Michigan, in forms the Door Peninsula, the ridge over yearsago.of bedrock million This 425 formed through sediment deposition seas inland in outcropping of dolomite (a of limestone) type hard and pike populations Green in Bay. the perch, , maintaining to critical spawning locations and the water qualityis of fish spawninghabitat. theseProtecting into the bay from the west, provide the majority the manylining streams and rivers that flow the west side of the bay, aswell asthe wetlands troubled, warmwater fishery.The wetlandsalong enormous and herons. rookeries terns, of gulls, along the Door Peninsula Green and in Bay host songbirds and shorebirds. Many of the islands small habitatresting for awide variety of migratory in the Northern Lake Michigan Coastal Michigan Lake Northern the in 78: Figure Several conservation groups have been active Niagara EscarpmentThe along, is linear Green Bay supports impressive, an at if times Forested W e 29% Open Wetland t land Land cover of public conservation lands lands conservation public of cover Land 1 8 % Urban 0% Agriculture 5% Grassland 2% Shrubland

0% Forest 46%

can be accommodated.can thelimit variety of recreation activities that amounts tunities, their significant of wetlands althoughand, they provide popular hunting oppor- concentratedare along the west shore of Green Bay little public recreation land exists.State-owned lands demand for camping exceeds far current supply. parks and several and private local campgrounds, Althoughdifferent of trails. there types five are state several protected properties with avariety of Door County,in there opportunities are connect to Although development pressure exceedingly is high Green Bay throughout andMichigan Lake the year. Niagara Escarpment offers tremendous views of drawvisitorsand icein the fishing winter. The pursuits, while snowmobiling, skiing, cross-country popular are summertimeBoating,and fishing, sailing of much of the of recreation the part this state. in and its Michigan Lake shoreline the are foundation Opportunities and Uses Recreation amounts of habitat for many of these species. providing adequate to be critical will areas accomplishments protected expand to and link In theIn western section landscape, ofecological this Lega c y Pl y a ces ces b y Ecological Landscape Ecological y

119

Northern Lake Michigan Figure 79: Legacy Places and public conservation lands of the Northern Lake Michigan Coastal

Crandon Legacy Places and public conservation lands Michigan

Northern Lake Michigan Coastal 12

55 52 r e iv R e 17 Menomine NQ GT

32 180 1

5 8 ME CI MR 64 PS 9 Legacy Places iver 10 Antigo Peshtigo R PE CS EH 1 6 DP Door Peninsula 42 Hardwood Swamps 64 NY Marinette EH Eagle Harbor to PJ Toft Point Corridor 55 Peshtigo SB LB Lower Wolf River Bottomlands 2 KL MR Menominee River 32 47 4 Northern Lake Michigan Lake Northern NE Niagara Escarpment PH NQ Noquebay Conifer Swamp OR Oconto River 13 4 PJ Peninsula State Park to Jacksonport Corridor Gillett Oconto 22 PE Peshtigo River er OM SS Riv 11 Lake Michigan onto Oconto RD Red River Oc OR SU Suamico, Little Suamico Falls NE and Pensaukee Rivers 2 141 22 WS Sturgeon RD 41 3 DP Bay Along the Green Bay and 29 4 Lake Michigan shoreline Chambers Island 32 4 CI Shawano CS Colonial Waterbird 22 Nesting Islands 57 29 SU GT Grand Traverse Islands LB KL Kangaroo Lake Marion 7 42 ME Mink River Estuary- 47 Newport State Park- Public Conservation Lands Europe Lake 110 Algoma 156 NY North Bay to Clintonville W State Bailey’s Harbor o lf OM Oconto River Marsh 54

R

i v Federal PS Peninsula State Park e r PH Peshtigo Harbor Marsh Seymour SB Seagull Bar 161 54 Green Bay County Forest SS Shivering Sands 45 Kewaunee WS West Shore Green 29 Miles Bay Wetlands Manawa 0 2.5 5 10 10 54 De Pere

New 76 47 43 22 32 London 120 Legacy Places by Ecological LandscapeWaupaca Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Figure 80: Legacy Places and land cover of the Northern Lake Michigan Coastal

UPPER WISCONSIN NORTH Crandon WATERSHED Legacy Places and land cover Northern Lake Michigan Coastal

55 52

17 NQ GT

32 180 Michigan

GREEN BAY ME WATERSHED CI MR 64 PS

Antigo PE CS EH 42 64 Marinette NY UPPER WISCONSIN PJ Lake Michigan 55 Peshtigo SB CENTRAL WATERSHED KL 32 47 PH Michigan Lake Northern

Oconto WOLF RIVER Gillett 22 OM WATERSHED SS Oconto OR Falls 141 NE 22 WS Sturgeon Land Cover RD 41 DP Bay 29 Urban

32 Shawano Agriculture 22 57 LB 29 SU Grassland Marion 47 Shrubland 42 TWIN-KEWAUNEE Forest WATERSHED 110 Algoma 156 Clintonville Open Water 54 Open Wetland Seymour Green Bay 161 54 Forested Wetland

45 Kewaunee 29 Miles Manawa 0 2.5 5 10 LOWER FOX De Pere 54 10 WATERSHED 76 47 43 New 32 London Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Waupaca Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 121 Northern Lake Michigan Coastal ecological landscape Key characteristics: » Lake Michigan shoreline and islands » Bay of Green Bay Public Conservation Lands and its tributaries » Northern end of the Map# Property Name Size (acres)1 Niagara Escarpment » West shore Green State Bay wetlands Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest State Natural Area 360 s1 » Lower stretches of major s 2 Bloch Oxbow State Natural Area 560 rivers: Menomonee, Peshtigo, s 3 Gardner Swamp State Wildlife Area 1,115 Oconto, and Pensaukee s 4 Green Bay West Shores State Wildlife Area 2 5,830 s 5 Lake Noquebay State Wildlife Area 1,240 Size: s 6 Mud Lake State Wildlife Area - Door County 2,090 » 2,000 square miles s 7 Navarino State Wildlife Area 2 180 » 1,282,580 acres s 8 Newport State Park 2,420 (3.6% of Wisconsin) s 9 North Branch Beaver Creek State Fishery Area 2 660 s10 Peninsula State Park 3,660 Population: s11 State Park 1,170 » 153,000 s12 State Park 825 (2.9% of Wisconsin’s s13 Whitefish Dunes State Park 865 population) 3 Miscellaneous Lands 2,970 Notable species: Federal » Shorebirds Waterfowl Production Areas 195 » Migratory birds

4 » Northern Lake Michigan Lake Northern County Forest » s 1 Marinette County Forest 2 9,000 » Burbot s 2 Oconto County Forest 2 13,930 » Hine’s emerald dragonfly TOTAL 47,070 » White cedar » Sugar maple 1 Actual acres owned in this Ecological Landscape. » American beech 2 This property also falls within adjacent Ecological Landscape(s). 3 Includes public access sites, fish hatcheries, fire towers, streambank and non-point easements, » Dwarf lake iris lands acquired under statewide wildlife, fishery, forestry, and natural area programs, small properties » under 100 acres, and properties with fewer than 100 acres within this Ecological Landscape. Dune thistle 4 Locations and sizes of county owned parcels enrolled in the Forest Crop Law are presented here. Information on locations and sizes of other county and local parks in this Ecological Landscape Natural communities: is not readily available and is not included here, except for some very large properties. (See Appendix B for descriptions) » Boreal forest Lange t » Boreal rich fen erber

H » Cedar glade » Coastal fen American Goldfinch Carduelis( tristis) » Dry cliff » Emergent aquatic » Forested ridge and swale » alkaline rockshore » Great Lakes beach » Great Lakes dune » Northern mesic forest » Northern sedge meadow » Northern wet-mesic forest » Shrub carr

122 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Northern Lake Michigan Coastal ecological landscape DP Door Peninsula MR Menominee River Hardwood Swamps Size ...... Large Size ...... Medium Protection Initiated...... Limited Protection Initiated...... Limited Protection Remaining...... Substantial Protection Remaining...... Moderate Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 Legacy Places Recreation Potential ...... 0 Over 100 miles long, the Menominee River Scattered along the southern Door Peninsula forms a portion of the border between Wisconsin are several large wetlands dominated by black and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for its entire ash and red maple. Examples include: Duvall, length from its source until it empties into Green Bay at the twin cities of Marinette and Meno-

Gardner, Cunningham, May, Stony Creek, sen l ie N Maplewood, Black Ash, and Lipsk Swamps. minee. The lower Menominee is characterized tt co These wetlands provide high quality, consistent by some farmland, much flatter topography, and S flow to creeks and streams. Often found within more residential development, but is still scenic. Crappie with heron agricultural settings, these wetlands also provide The Menominee River provides many spectacular views, great fishing, and a variety of water-based habitat for a variety of wildlife. Although these Given the numerous rock outcrops, cliffs, and recreation opportunities. The river’s warmwater sites have limited recreation value (given their talus slopes, the Escarpment also harbors some fishery consists of northern pike, walleye, small- wet nature), protecting some lands surround- very unusual habitats that in turn support many mouth bass and panfish. It also provides fall ing these wetlands could provide a variety uncommon species. Pockets of ancient cedar trees, fishing for sturgeon. of trail opportunities. cold springs, and areas where cool air gently flows The Menominee River discharges into Green out of the rocky hillsides are scattered along the Bay near the City of Marinette’s municipal water Escarpment. These fragile microhabitats support EH Eagle Harbor to system intake and may affect the raw water quality delicate ferns, flowers, and maybe most notably, Toft Point Corridor of that system. The Marinette system provides a collection of extraordinarily rare snails. Areas Size ...... Small drinking water to approximately 12,700 customers. along the Escarpment, particularly in Door County, Protection Initiated...... Limited have relatively thin soil deposits as a result of Michigan Lake Northern Protection Remaining...... Moderate glacial scouring and little post-glacial deposition. Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 NE Niagara Escarpment These soil conditions, combined with the fractured Recreation Potential ...... 0 Size ...... Large nature of the dolomite, can lead to groundwater Protection Initiated...... Moderate Running across Door County is a lowland contamination problems. Protection Remaining...... Substantial corridor of predominantly wooded swamps. Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Ephraim Swamp and Baileys Harbor Swamp Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 both contain extensive forested wetlands of NQ Noquebay Conifer Swamp maple, ash, and cedar and act as an ecological The Niagara Escarpment is a long dolomite Size ...... Small corridor across the Door Peninsula. The federally- ridge that in Wisconsin runs from the tip of Protection Initiated...... Limited Endangered Hine’s Emerald dragonfly occurs in Door County south along the east side of Lake Protection Remaining...... Substantial the corridor. Given the wet nature of this corridor, Winnebago and then finally recedes underground Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 recreation opportunities would be limited. in Dodge County. The Escarpment continues Recreation Potential ...... 0 eastward through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, This very large conifer swamp lies east of Lake into Canada, and then resurfaces to form Niagara Noquebay between some county forest and the LB Lower Wolf River Falls. This linear, high ridge provides many of the Menominee River. This area consists of a mixture eyer state’s most spectacular views and is the logical M Bottomlands of mid-aged forest with some small lakes and only means to link many existing protected areas on a few stream corridors. This remote wetland Thomas See the Central Lake Michigan and near the Escarpment. Ellison Bluff, Red complex continues on the other side of the ecological landscape. Niagara Escarpment at Red Banks Glade in Door County Banks Alvar, Carlsville Bluff, High Cliff State Menominee River into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Park, and Horicon Ledge are some of the best- where even larger blocks of conifer swamp are known places along the Escarpment. Given its found within and near the State length and proximity to the Fox River Valley Forest. Together, these lands form a very large cities, it is one of the most frequently visited block of remote, undeveloped forested wetlands. features in the state and there is considerable Because the area is dominated by wetlands, interest in protecting additional areas to recreation opportunities are limited. meet conservation and recreation needs.

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 123 Northern Lake Michigan

Thomas Meyer 124 ecological landscape Northern Lake Michigan Coastal Bay Bedrock Beach Bedrock Bay Moonlight

Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy

to Corridor Jacksonport Size Size PJ of these early people.and history artifacts preserving dedicated to and is State Park locatedjust is westture of Oconto copper Copper region. smelting Cul- cultural reaches, theancient riveran flows through the fisheries Bay.of sustain Green In its lower that help areas many spawning important Throughout the are river and its tributaries the dam. as Stiles far able as upstream swim to fish as theenter spring thein mouth are and aprolonged occurs steelhead Also, run portions. a warmwatermiddlein and its fishery lower the river and the flowages.riverThe harbors both in popular andare boating Canoeing atmarsh the mouth of Green Bay. flowsthe andcityOcontothrough a of the into river. river The ultimatelydrains fortant waterfowl production and migration, undeveloped alarge Lake, impor- lake Christie Flowage Nearby impede stretch. the this river in and one Falls Oconto that forms the Machickanee one dams, at Two of forests and farms. a mix due and widens east it as turns flows through the River landscape, Oconto ecological this In Potential Recreation to the nearbyto Eagle Harbor-Toft Point linkage. acomplement is corridor opportunities.This trail and could provide the Peninsula various Door across connection ecological an as acts corridor predominantly upland Jacksonport.to This and thenCreek follows the valley down creek the thefrom park headwaters to of Hibbard follows of aseries upland forests and grasslands County, north-south Door across corridor This Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size OR . . Peninsula State Park Oconto River ...... Substantial 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Moderate Moderate

0 0 0 0 0 0 Limited

Large

Small

chute, the is most picturesque spot on the river. foot its wide with six granite Falls, Monastery sometimes Falls, called for paddling. Alexian good summer when shallow many other too rivers are water good frequently levels the carries through aresult the reach and as river this in a dam because the river’s water by flowregulated is destinationpopular for river paddlers, part in of sets demanding rapidsIt’s and falls. ahighly development, mostly and two wooded banks River of little the section has Red This Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size RD waterfowlincluding and shorebirds. provide habitatwildlife, and for of fish avariety by multiple wetlands These river channels. the river flows vast through penetrated wetlands of the river. Very the near mouth of Green Bay common the middleare through and lower sections northern pike, including walleyespecies, and bass, common. forests Warmwater hardwood are land valley widens and extensive of bottom- stands the river slows, of Crivitz, the Downstream Michigan. Lake Glacial larger Green Bay, the it flat bed crosses theof former, Beforedefinemiddle into its section. emptying upper drumlins and small Sandy soils sections. dominatesthe shieldriver’s bedrock Precambrian geologic regions. different itas through passes segmentscontains of both flatwaterand whitewater riverThe and adiverseandgeology flora fauna. Peshtigo history,The arich interesting has opportunities. recreational outstanding offering headwatersFrom mouth, to itriver averyscenic is PeshtigoThe one is of ’s rivers. great Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size PE . . Red River Peshtigo River ...... Substantial 0 0 0 0 Moderate Moderate Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0 Limited Large 0 0

Conservation Significance for population the large nearby Green in Bay. provide anumber of recreation opportunities these with rivers could Upland associated areas of the Green Bay parts ecosystem. of important achieve relatively to in protection areas small could concentrated be efforts protection aresult, As habitat. spawning and restore needed maintain to their waterto quality, of protection key is parcels watershed and rivers of contributes these streams Although the entire surfaces. impervious with these improvements more covered as is of the area negate to threatens pressure use land increasing applied activities. However, and forestry farm to best managementas increasingly practices are and rivers continues these streams in improve to wetlands, and forests. Water agriculture, quality dominated by areas in rivers mostly originate headwaterThe these three feeding creeks populations fish Bay.in Green healthy roles maintaining important very in and Pensaukee Suamico, Little Rivers play depth elsewhere report), this the in Suamico, more in RiversOconto (which discussed are the with Menominee,Along Peshtigo, and habitat spawning critical the forin fish bay. wetlands provide and associated tributaries Bay,flowinto Green they andtheir numerous rivers of Wisconsin Although only ahandful Potential Recreation Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size SU customers. 162,000 water for approximatelywhich provide drinking raw water of those municipal systems, quality the may affect waterarea aresult, this from As and AppletonMenasha, municipal water systems. of waterthe source for Neenah, the Oshkosh, waters eventuallyWinnebago, Lake flowinto these area, this from Although distant and Pensaukee Rivers . Suamico, Little Suamico, . . . Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin . Substantial

Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0 Limited

Northern Lake Michigan Coastal ecological landscape Legacy Places Along the Green Bay and Lake Michigan Shoreline

In this ecological landscape, the shoreline and numerous species of mosses and ferns. is very diverse. The west shore of Green Bay Chambers Island, lying west of Peninsula is low, contains many marshy areas, and State Park, is roughly four square miles in size, has generally shallow waters near shore. and contains a large inland lake. The island’s Where rivers and streams flow into the bay, vegetation includes a mature forest of hemlock, the mixing of waters creates diverse, very rich pine, oak, maple and beech, as well as a small estuaries. These areas provide ideal spawning, barrens community with pines, heaths and breeding, feeding, and resting habitat for many sand species. species of fish, waterfowl, and waterbirds. The Lake Michigan shore of the Door As the level of Green Bay rises and falls, Peninsula displays a great deal of variety vegetation and mud flats are flooded and and scenic beauty. There are both rocky and exposed attracting thousands of shorebirds, sandy beaches, ridge and swale complexes,

songbirds and waterfowl, particularly during Michigan Lake Northern sand dunes, rocky points and cliffs, estuaries, the spring and fall migrations. marshes and wooded swamps. The diversity The east shore of Green Bay, characterized of landforms and micro-habitats results in by areas of deeper water, rocky shorelines a great deal of biotic diversity. A number of and high bluffs, is quite different from the rare, threatened or endangered species are west shore. The Niagara Escarpment is the found here, including dwarf lake iris, dune dominant geological feature along the east thistle, and several species of orchids. Bird life shore, and it rises to great prominence in a includes shorebirds, ducks, loons, numerous number places in Door County, including species of warblers and other songbirds. Eight Potawatomi and Peninsula State Parks, State Natural Areas have been established Carlsville Bluffs, Ellison Bluff, Deaths Door along this stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline, Bluff, Boyer’s Bluff, and Rock Island. In many in an effort to protect the unique natural places, the bluffs are densely wooded with a communities that are found here. Three mixture of conifers and hardwoods and contain State Parks are located here also serving a Queen t a rich understory of spring and summer burgeoning number of tourists. Significant ober R wildflowers. The larger wooded tracts are also private conservation efforts are ongoing Fall colors at Peninsula State Park important to migrating and nesting birds that throughout Door County, but particularly require deep-woods habitat. The bluff faces along the Lake Michigan Shoreline. Nearly themselves support unusual biotic communities all undeveloped areas along the east side that include such things as small land snails of Door County are important to protect. believed to be relicts from glacial times

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 125 Northern Lake Michigan 126 ecological landscape Northern Lake Michigan Coastal

Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Nesting Islands Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size CI Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size GT but privately Guard, severalUS are Coast held. owned currently by Some are the Islands. Fish Jack, Adventure, Spider, Hog, Gravel, and Pilot, nesting. Examples include Hat, LittleStrawberry, by waterbirds colonial for primarily utilized are that islands many small are coast Michigan Lake both Green Bay in and along theScattered Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size CS (CILA). LandownersIsland Association cooperation and the Chambers between the WDNR would island ofspecies this benefitcontinuedfrom regeneration. communities natural and plant The forapproximately aflush tree of allowing years, ten maple, have Deer oak. been and red absent for hemlock, sugar beech, mixed sive, second-growth forests excellent,The on the are island exten- Potential Recreation by waterbirds during migration. Many rare natural natural rare Many by migration. waterbirds during weather frequented conditions. are islands The severe subject to and are generally rocky very are predominantly islands The forested. are With the exception they Island, of Washington somealong with other outcroppings. small Islands, and Rock Plum, Washington, , endnorth and include of the Peninsula Door the extend Grand Traverse off The Islands Potential Recreation . . . Chambers Island Grand Traverse Islands Colonial Waterbird

...... 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Substantial Substantial

Moderate Moderate Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0 Limited Limited

Small Small

0 0

0 0

lake sand dune—is quite rare in Wisconsin. in rare quite sand dune—is lake astabilized —on mesic forestpines. type This maple, and afewwhite white super-canopy cedar red present beech, and are yellow Also birch. and dunes, now woodedmaple, hemlock, sugar with acomplex is Lake of oldof Kangaroo beach ridges present. the are wire-leaved On south sedges, end andwillow, bog cinquefoil, and twig-rush hoary levels suchhigh the shrubby as soil, in of calcium tolerate that Plants can and shrub-carrs. marshes, of fens, meadows, sedge characteristic species and southnorth ends. the At end plant north are communities at species bothnatural andits rare residential, quality and forest ithigh harbors land, water. of agricultural, rich amatrix within Set amarlbottomand calcium with shallow is lake rebound. land The post-glacial regional levels,of dunelake deposition, and receding was formed Lake by acombination Kangaroo Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size KL worthy and are of protection. remain permanent houses, sand dunes some quality good island’s shoreline developed is and seasonal with dolomite gravel “pavement.” Although much of the marland dry of seasonally expanses large with emergent unusual and an aquatic community relatively northern wet-mesic quality high forest, acomplex is site. Big Marsh fen, rich of boreal important ecologically the of protection this would of theincrease shorelineMichigan of Lake include to north efforts protection part Expanding fen components. boreal quality with ahigh contains the coast, from north aboutlocated inland ½mile Swamp Coffee Area, State Natural soils. calcareous community unusual that an preferscontain wet wet swales swales.to These sand and interdunal beach undulates numerousThe with of dry areas plants.assemblage and uncommon of vascular rare excellent an contains Ridges StateArea Natural theOn island’s northeast side, Jackson Harbor fields,and farm manyforests fallow wetlands. supports Island Washington some agriculture, Michigan’s of islands, Lake largest The support deer populations. large Some rockshore. islands alkaline Great Lakes on the including communities islands occur . Kangaroo Lake . . . . 0 0 0 0 Moderate

Limited Small 0 0

of theState Park.Beach siteNewport nowis within habitat portion supports plants. Asmall many rare and this Lake, of east Europe forest occur boreal Swampy of pockets Michigan. and Lake Lake maplebeech-sugar mesic forest between Europe and white red pine and old-growth forest of virgin of the embayment, a the is forming There lake. formed of gravel abar the and sand across mouth buttime, the action of waves has and currents at was abayone Lake Michigan Europe of Lake conditionsing and nutrient-rich environment. advantage take of the the estuary chang- in and invertebratesamphibians, that their make reptiles, many mammals, The its tributaries. and othertheir make fish way rivertheup and year, brown steelhead, northern trout,pike, bass, throughout the differs Michigan river and Lake out the the estuary. temperature As between the the bay in popular is and through- loons. Fishing cormorants, and bitterns, of ducks, herons, gulls, each year, awide including the variety estuary pass through typically species bird 200 More than of areas vegetation. large flooding times mud exposing times and flats at other—at set of habitatsating the diverse and changing levelslake play role perpetu- important in an Not surprisingly,and bulrushes. the changing (willow,of and alder), shrubs dogwood, sedges, and deep-waterboth shallow amix is sections, Rowley’sinto Bay. which includes marsh, The and eventuallyit enters marsh empties alarge ashort distance, dominated by white cedar. After water and flows springs lowlandthrough forest of aseries hard- in River originates Mink The and susceptible disturbance. fragile to productive highly yet ecosystems, are very enough experiencelarge , to or “,” where or lakes river water oceans with mixes areas sitemigration for Estuaries, many birds. andimportant is a fish very for Michigan Lake habitat spawning provides critical River Estuary the country, in freshwater the estuary Mink Considered by the be many most to pristine Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size ME Europe Lake StateNewport Park . Mink River Estuary . . . . -

0 0 0 0 0 - Substantial

Medium Limited Limited

0 0

cedar with occasional paper and black birch occasional with ash. cedar wet-mesicThe forest dominated by is white and wet-mesic forest. shrub-carr grades into light Bay, extensive meadow an sedge is that whitescattered pine. To along Moon- the north, forest maple, of sugar yellow hemlock, and birch, amesicnity. is remainderpeninsula The of this example cobble of the rare commu- beach natural Alongandfinethe point spruce.is a white fir forest dominated boreal by of relict strip balsam of consists anarrow Michigan, of Lake effects shoreline,of the influenced theby eastern cooling arelatively vegetation The within short distance. several Bay plantMoonlight contains communities between and Bailey’sHarbor peninsula The Hine’sEndangered emerald dragonfly. populationknown anywhere of the federally- the site has largest endangered plants. This support assemblage outstanding and an of rare and open,of wet the are ridges and calcareous andbog flora.with marsh Portions others filled are Swampridges. occupy some conifers of the swales; andfir, with white pine, wet swalesbetween the forested black with spruce, white spruce, balsam beach ridges Michigan of aseries Lake harbors the lies whichBailey’s Harbor RidgesSanctuary, meadow, and cobble Along beach. and bedrock complexes, northern wet-mesic forest, sedge the Midwest, forest, ridge-swale features boreal valuableecologically of stretches shoreline in shoreline, one of theThis highest quality, most Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Protection Initiated Protection Size NY Eastern Bluebird ( Bluebird Eastern . BayNorth to Bailey’s Harbor Sialia sialis Sialia . . ) . Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin . 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Substantial Moderate Medium

0

HERbert Lange Wisconsin L Wisconsin ecological landscape Northern Lake Michigan Coastal a n d L d e g a c y Re y p o and wildlife habitat of O and wildlife enough havelarge to impact an on the vegetation waterFluctuations in levels caused by seiches are the wetlandRiver the near within river’s lie delta. Abandoned oxbows and meanders of the Oconto wetlandThe features low beachand swales. ridges Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size OM population. whitefish for Michigan the Lake nearly the suitable entire habitat spawning Bay,Moonlight provide Bay and North also and wetland communities. Harbor, Baileys forests northern boreal with associated species including of Neotropicala wide birds, variety goldeneye. support communities also Inland for the Wisconsin common sitesnesting in site one is shoreline, and this of the few known Michigan of Lake stretch this to attracted shorebirds and waterfowlMigratory are heavy. occasionally is use Waterfowlsupports atrout run. spawning trout with been stocked and has Michigan, Mud Lake from to which Lake runs Creek, and willow. sweet dogwood, are Reibolts gale, plants The under the and cattail. oldreed, snags yellow water bulrush, softstem lily, are giant the pondweedslake In rice. andcoontail, wild thediverse outlet in and include stream burreed, precipitation.seasonal Aquatic most plants are old snags present. Water levelswith fluctuate many found are is There some in areas. bedrock predominantly is bottom although marl, dolomite and swamp. timber by extensive an shrub The a shallow, surrounded lake hard-water drainage Bay Moonlight Mud lies from Lake, Inland seventeen of species warblers. nesting many area-sensitivecontains including species bird site, the along with The adjacent RidgesSanctuary, around thearound delta where th wetlandMost emergent of is this especially marsh, Potential Recreation r t

. Oconto River Marsh . . . conto Marsh. e river enters Green Bay. . Substantial

0 0 0 Limited

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shelters a lagoon and a large area of shallow water of shallow shelters area and alarge alagoon depending spit size on levelsThe lake in varies and County. of Green Bay Marinette off the margin asand spit is on Bar and marsh Seagull Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size SB patches offorest old harboring growth. at lowland-upland Peshtigo, quality ahigh is Bay. up the dam theto from Upstream marsh, a complex it as of lagoons empties Green into the of central portion in located the wetland, forms byaltered fluctuations lake in levels. Dyers Slough, and andforest floodplain periodically is shrub-carr, of emergent consists land meadow, sedge marsh, which offer excellent waterfowl habitat. wet- The the river delta within and of aseries channels features abandoned area oxbow This lakes Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size PH offered year-round. are and sightseeing Camping, programs, nature snowshoeing,skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling. country offers Winter cross summer and fall. spring, during and swim bike, boat, golf, hike, can camping destination thepopular state. in Visitors most the complete most also is Peninsula park, the Considered lake. by Wisconsin’s be many to bluffs ascend overwetlands. 150 Rocky feet above of forests, alandscape meadowsaround and Michigan’sof Green Lake Bay shoreline wrap Nearly seven Countypeninsula. miles Door on Wisconsin’s a3,770-acreis state treasure State Park, established 1909, Peninsula in Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size PS . . . Seagull Bar Peshtigo Harbor Marsh Peninsula State Park ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Substantial Substantial Substantial 0 0 0 0 0 0 Limited Limited Limited

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breeding bird surveys from the from area. surveys bird breeding of 110A total have of species birds beenon recorded blers and northern water among others. thrushes, forest home is numbers large war- of to Canada breeders on Dune’s and the and swale ridge Lake, regular are cranes well as sandhill as Black terns season. been found their breeding here during hawk)hawk, goshawk, have and sharp-shinned (Cooper’s Wisconsin in accipiters occur to known three All home birds. also manyis breeding to site The snowshoe porcupine, and mink. hare, fisher, including of mammals otter, blackbear, supports impressive an area entire The suite swamp and northern fens.cedar wetland complexes, some including quality high more large swamp. are thecedar Near canal based upland forest conifer of east the central blooms the dolomite- in iris lake sedge. Dwarf and coast bulrush tussock as species such rare fen communities found on the harbor edges lake flowerTheand amidst open mosses downed trees. undeveloped three Hererounding lakes. orchids swamp white south sur- cedar alarge is Further hemlock maple. and sugar beech, dunes supporting American stabilized as and herbaceous sands plants well as by shifting bothState active Park dunes contains dominated Dunes dunes, wetlands and forests. Whitefish here shoreand near support quality areas high Point the south shore of Bay the Sturgeon Canal, Cave from Point Rocky ParkRunning County to Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size SS yewCanada population. forest asizable with a remnantboreal of note on the the is island presenceAlso of and black-crowned terns night herons.for gulls, which provides Greenlies Island, habitat nesting shorebirds. Tothat the east attractsmigrating of consists mudarea and flats emergent marsh remainder The of the wetter in species areas. and several rush beach pea, rye, Canada grass, deposition. dune rich includes flora The marram low wave from dunes resulting action and sand asystem is of and sand ridges Bar of Seagull emergentwith vegetation. edge eastern The . Shivering Sands . . . . 0 0 0 0 0

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site along the west shore of Green Bay. any but other it makes itsditching, unlike size suffered and has second is growth forest. area The maple-elm-ashand more soft mature swamp black edge are ash the eastern Along surface. swamp, presumably where the close sandto is the in of hardwoods “islands” ofhundreds small acres) of considerable10,000 diversity. are There swamp Swamp lacustrine (roughly alarge Line is County line. County at the Marinette-Oconto wetland the is large needs remain protection example whereAn area of additional an areas. state wildlife within protected of Many these migrations. wetlands are and fall spring during the wetlands, to particularly flock Green Bay. Waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds habitatspawning for manyin of the fish species Therecreation benefits. wetlands provide valuable of wetlands that offer multiple conservation and the westAlong shore of Green Bay aseries is Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Protection Initiated Protection Size WS Green Bay Wetlands on thin soils over dolomite bedrock. over dolomite bedrock. soils on thin land, recreational and residential, agriculture, of amatrix the is wetland here. Surrounding present plants rare of five species are There buckbean. and bladderworts, pitcher plant, by muck with separated pockets sedges tussock are fen. Present rich boreal rare and diverse (7-acre) side, but bynorth asmall exceptionally on the particularly surrounded, is This pond. the borders saplings cedar white and sedges, coarse shrubs, of tall ring Anarrow Peninsula. complex ofwetland the Door the interior in alarger pond seepage sits within small This Thorp Pond Other Areas of Interest . West Shore Lega c y Pl y a ces ces . ( . b Door County Door . y Ecological Landscape Ecological y

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Northern Lake Michigan