The Nature Conservancy has announced that it has added another 40 acres of land to the North Bay Preserve in Door County. The acquisition conserves forested wetlands, protects water quality and provides additional access for walking, wildlife-watching, hunting, cross-country skiing and other outdoor activities.
"North Bay is one of several natural areas in Door County where the Conservancy is protecting lands and waters that sustain native plants and wildlife and attract thousands of visitors each year to enjoy the outdoors," said Mary Jean Huston, Nature Conservancy director in Wisconsin.
The new property in the Town of Liberty Grove is mainly low, wet forest dominated by cedar and some birch. It helps absorb water and replenish a wetland that provides breeding habitat for the Hine's emerald dragonfly, a species that is endangered in Wisconsin and nationally.
North Bay is an important spawning area for Lake Michigan whitefish, and the small streams that empty into the bay are home to northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and other fish. Bald eagles, osprey, buffleheads and many other songbirds and waterfowl use the North Bay area for nesting, feeding and resting during migration.
North Bay Preserve is part of an effort by multiple private and public partners to conserve about 13,000 acres along Lake Michigan from Toft Point to Three Springs Preserve.
The Conservancy has applied for grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program and Wisconsin's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to help fund the acquisition at North Bay.
Photo by George H. Emmerich Jr.
