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, houghton's goldenrod, Hine's emerald dragonfly, Pitcher's thistle, and Michigan's state wildlifower, the dwarf lake iris (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.