Description
Why is this preserve significant?
Wilderness Lakes Reserve sits amidst the northern forests of the Great Lakes. The northern forests are some of the largest remaining unbroken swaths of hardwood forest in North America, playing critical roles for the health of the region: These rich forests moderate regional climate, store carbon from the atmosphere, filter the headwaters of the Great Lakes, provide habitat for a wide range of species of migratory birds, and support major economic drivers such as timber, recreation and tourism.
What can I see here?
The Michigamme Highlands are known for containing a diverse range of habitats and the Reserve is a good example. Forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers and rock outcroppings all connect together in a beautifully pristine area. Forests on the property include a mix of conifers and hardwoods, including eastern white pine, northern white cedar and yellow birch. These communities provide diverse habitat for rare and threatened animal species including northern goshawk, eastern gray wolf, moose, bobcat and loon.
The property contains high-quality examples of white cedar seepage swamp, a unique wetland known for its remarkable number of plant species, including blueberries, native honeysuckles, ferns, orchids, mosses and sedges.
The Nature Conservancy is managing this property as a Forest Reserve, following sustainable forestry practices that build forest health and resilience, such as selective harvesting to improve biodiversity, and ensure critical protection of wetlands and buffers around the many lakes, rivers and streams. The entirety of the property will receive Forest Stewardship Council certification and be enrolled in the State of Michigan’s Commercial Forest Program (500 acres are currently enrolled).