Project Title: Lake Michigan Shoreline Restoration for Critical Migratory Bird Stopover on Land Trust (FFS #R3FA)

State: Wisconsin

Project Description: The Ozaukee-Washington Land Trust received funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to support the restoration and enhancement of coastal wetlands, forests, shrublands, and grasslands on a 116-acre tract in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. The land will provide critically needed stopover habitat for birds that migrate over Lake Michigan.

Located on the western shores of Lake Michigan, the property - now called the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - was recently purchased by the Ozaukee-Washington Land Trust with the intention of restoring wetlands and native plant communities to help protect Lake Michigan water quality and provide habitat and refuge for native and migratory birds. The Lake Michigan Flyway connects Canada and the Arctic Ocean to South America and is a critical migration route for birds such as black-billed cuckoo, eastern meadowlark, solitary sandpiper and golden-winged warbler.

When restoration is complete, the site will feature a significant amount of critical migratory stopover habitat within a major migratory corridor. These habitats may be expected to make a significant contribution to the conservation of numerous migratory bird species.

“This migratory preserve will provide a great opportunity for adults and kids alike to learn about and observe a great diversity of migratory birds on their journeys between northern breeding areas and southern overwintering areas, said Charlie Wooley, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Deputy Regional Director. “And, we’re putting dollars into the local economy by creating jobs as we work to restore the Lake Michigan ecosystem.”

Photos:

Service leaders unveil the project on August 12, 2009. (from left) Deputy Regional Director Charles Wooley, Darin Simpkins, Green Bay Field Office Coastal Program; Gary VanVreede, Green Bay Field Office Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program; Craig Czarnecki, East Lansing Field Office Supervisor; and Louise Clemency, Green Bay Field Office Supervisor. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)

Originally posted 08/14/2009