GLRI: Beaver and Hog Island Shoreline Initiative
The Beaver Island Archipelago: Habitat Worth Preserving
Approximately 30 miles northwest of Charlevoix, you will find the Beaver Island Archipelago. This island chain is both the largest system of islands in Lake Michigan and home to the largest island in the lake, Beaver Island. In total, the island chain consists of 11 islands; these coastal and remote communities are home to a variety of endangered and threatened species that are dependent on the rare habitats that these Great Lakes islands provide. Such species include the Michigan monkey flower, piping plover, Northern long-eared bat, dwarf lake iris, houghton's goldenrod, Hine's emerald dragonfly, and Pitcher's thistle (pictured). To ensure the continued survival of these sensitive species, it is critical that they are protected from the spread of detrimental invasive species that would significantly alter and degrade their habitats.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
To address the spread of invasive species on the island and protect coastal habitats for threatened and endangered species, the CAKE CISMA was awarded a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative program in 2019, funded by the National Forest Service. In scope, the project targets 3 coastal areas within the archipelago for survey and invasive species treatments: 1) Paradise Bay on Beaver Island (St. James Harbor), 2) Little Sand Bay on Beaver Island, and 3) Hog Island's coastline. These areas were selected due to previous survey data and habitat value; Hog Island is state owned and rarely visited, making it ideal for habitat preservation efforts. Invasive species targeted by this project include invasive phragmites, narrow leaf cattail, and spotted knapweed.
To date, the CAKE CISMA has:
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Surveyed Paradise Bay
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Surveyed Little Sand Bay
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Surveyed parts of Hog Island's coastline
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Provided treatment for spotted knapweed infestations on Little Sand Bay, with the assistance of the Natural Resource department of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.
The CAKE CISMA is currently seeking property owners on Paradise Bay to participate in the free control program for phragmites and cattail treatment.
Request a Survey!
To request survey or treatment for these species on Paradise Bay, please email our coordinator at benjamin.vandyke@macd.org, or call us at (231)-533-8363 (ext. 5)
Do you own property on St. James Harbor?
The CAKE CISMA is offering free treatment of invasive phragmites and invasive cattail for landowners on the harbor in 2020! Property owners are encouraged to contact CAKE CISMA Coordinator Benjamin VanDyke by phone at 231.533.8363 ext. 5 or by email at benjamin.vandyke@macd.org to follow up for more information on this project.
