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SWP expanding influence to all of U.P.

They’ve done it again. The folks at the Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy, based in Marquette, recently announced the purchase and protection of over 4 miles of waterfront property on the Sturgeon River in Dickinson County. The project was completed in partnership with Waucedah Township.

Township officials completed the $2.1 million Sturgeon River Scenic Park acquisition with help from the SWP and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Since the property isn’t in Marquette County, why should local residents care?

For one thing, it offers many recreation opportunities for people, and since Dickinson County isn’t that far away, people can kayak, fishing, hike, watch birds, swim or enjoy the scenery.

Even avid conservationists and outdoors enthusiasts probably won’t be able to visit every square inch of the U.P.

So, even if people don’t physically visit the area, which includes whitewater rapids and waterfalls and 944 acres of adjacent forestland, it should be enough to know that the property includes a variety of important terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

In particular, it provides important habitat for the Canada lynx and gray wolf. Since the acquisition provides extensive wildlife corridor connectivity and reduces habitat fragmentation, it also will create a special place for flora and fauna.

That’s important since some wildlife species depend on wide expanses of land to thrive.

Since the Sturgeon River flows southward into the Menominee River before those merged waters enter Green Bay, protecting the property also protects Great Lakes water quality.

The SWP and Great Lakes Climate Corps will work with the township and local partners to plan several miles of hiking trails, kayak launches and environmental education kiosks to further improve the visitor experience.

When people and wild land mix, though, problems can happen, but the agencies involved in the project plan for designated parking, and users will be encourage to limit traffic to established roads and trails.

The SWP has long been involved in local projects, but we are pleased to see that it is expanding its influence to help to local partners in the Upper Peninsula.

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