The natural beauty of the southern shore of Lake Superior and the adjacent lands in the Upper Peninsula are becoming more widely known, and efforts to protect them in their natural state are expanding, as well.

One of the more recent preservation projects includes a diverse coalition of government and private organizations working to ensure a large tract of coastal wetlands in Baraga County is protected for future generations to enjoy.

The project involves the Keweenaw Land Trust purchasing about 1,374 acres in four parcels from private owners. The trust received a big boost – $1 million, to be exact – in its effort to raise the $2.5 million needed to acquire the property.

The grant came from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program and was funneled through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The properties in Baraga County include nearly a mile of Lake Superior shoreline and consist of high-quality, intact coastal wetlands and nearshore aquatic habitats on the Abbaye Peninsula and Lake Superior’s Huron Bay.

The KLT grant was the only one awarded in Michigan this year, with a total of 25 grants totaling $21 million being distributed to projects in 11 states.

Included in entities expected to partner in the project and contribute toward the $1.5 million match for the grant are the Michigan Nature Association, the Michigan Nature Conservancy, Copper Country Audubon, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Leuthold Family Foundation.

According to the USFWS, Abbaye Peninsula and Huron Bay are important migratory bird corridors, particularly for waterfowl and raptors, and the forested wetlands and riparian habitats are home to a variety of wildlife, including such wide ranging animals as gray wolves and bobcats, as well as numerous bird species. The bay itself also supports a wide variety of fish species.

In addition, the purchase will guarantee that the large tract will remain open to the public, and the trust plans to promote recreational and educational opportunities on the land.

The KLT and its partners in the project certainly deserve to be commended for developing such a significantly important land preservation effort.