| Recognition: |
Legally Dedicated Natural Areas (3),
The Nature Conservancy Natural Areas Registry (1) |
 |
| Size: |
Mixed
Forest - 968 acres
Northshore - 817 acres
Snake Is./Mud Lake - 244 acres |
| Location: |
Northeast
and southeast shores of Bois Blanc Island, in the Straits of
Mackinac |
| Management:
|
Mackinaw State Forest |
| Activities: |
Hiking, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing,
photography, hunting, non-motorized fishing, bird watching,
wildflower viewing |
Importance:
The Mixed Forest and Northshore areas consist largely upland hardwood forest with moderate-size white birch and sugar maple,
which will develop into an excellent mature forest stand, given time.
They provide habitat for
several species of special concern, including the dwarf lake iris, bald eagle, and a
population of Douglas's hawthorn that is disjunct from populations in the western U.S. The
Northshore Natural Area also contains some fine areas of large, old growth hemlock and
white pine and has a beautiful natural strip of Great Lakes shoreline, with a variety of
shoreline types.The Snake
Island/Mud Lake area contains a portion of pristine Lake Huron shoreline, including cobble beaches. The inland
dune and swale topography reflects historic lake levels and results in swamps, marshes,
and ponds separated by gravelly, forested ridges. Dwarf lake iris, a federal and state
threatened plant, can be viewed in the area. A colony of herring gulls inhabits Snake
Island, osprey feed at Mud Lake, and the area also has extensive and quite old beaver
workings. |
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Northshore Natural Area |
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