The Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) Land Conservancy in cooperation with Baraga County are pleased to announce the purchase and protection of 1,184 acres of wild Northwoods forest including over 4 miles of river frontage on the Sturgeon River (Covington Township)! The property also includes a variety of important terrestrial and aquatic habitats including over 568 acres of high-quality wetland habitat.
County officials recently completed the $2 million Sturgeon River Scenic Park acquisition with support from the SWP and funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, a program that supports outdoor recreation projects throughout the state. This stunning parcel is located near Covington in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The property will offer numerous sustainable recreation opportunities for community members and tourists to experience this wild property through activities such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, hiking or simply enjoying the beauty of the north woods!
The SWP and the Great Lakes Climate Corps (GLCC) will be working with Baraga County and local partners on planning several miles of hiking trails, kayak launches and environmental education kiosks. The property will be open to the pubic during daylight hours 365 days a year and designated parking will be established. This new public recreational site will provide numerous environmental and sustainable economic benefits and supports the goals of the Baraga County Recreation Plan. The project also supports Governor Whitmer’s Healthy Climate Plan which targets protecting thirty percent of Michigan’s land and water by 2030.
The acquisition provides extensive wildlife corridor connectivity and reduces habitat fragmentation. The property provides critical habitat for numerous terrestrial and aquatic species including the gray wolf and the Canadian lynx. The Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) has documented over forty plant and animal species in Baraga County that are listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern. The acquisition also protects water resources by maintaining the integrity of streams, creeks, and intermittent drainages that encompass the Sturgeon River watershed. Protecting the riparian area helps sustain water quality and the natural fishery through preservation of physical, chemical, and biological processes.
The property is located in the Lake Superior watershed. Protecting this property also protects Great Lakes water quality and indirectly benefits over 30 million people living downstream!
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