2022 Year in Review

The Friends accomplished a great deal in the past year with the generous help and support of our members!

Infrastructure work completed:

• The restroom wiring and exterior lighting installed
• The pavilion wiring, light fixtures, and outlets installed
• The ADA-compliant boardwalk was extended to 1,116′
• Four benches and a platform were added to the new boardwalk section
• A .4-mile looped trail (Leopold Loop) was cleared through the upland forest
• A bike parking area with a bench and 13 loop rack was added along the driveway
• A new pollinator garden was designed and planted along the entrance drive

Stewardship work completed by FNPCW volunteers:

• Twelve wood duck boxes were installed in the wetlands
• Two swallow houses were built and installed in the open area around the pavilion
• Trash was cleaned from Compton Road on Earth Day
• Invasive purple loosestrife plants were cut to the ground along Compton Road
• FNPCW worked with Superior Rivers Watershed Association (SRWA) to collect and test stream water quality at five locations along the Creek
• FNPCW deployed two continuous temperature monitors, on loan from SRWA, to monitor stream temperatures
• The FNPCW maintained a Snapshot Wisconsin camera
• Three additional trail cameras record wildlife presence at various points on the property
• Forestry committee members worked with the Northern Institute of Applied Science (NIACS) to develop climate change considerations to supplement the existing Friends’ forest management plan

Educational efforts:

• Twenty-one public programs, tours, and classes were held at Beaver Hollow
• An interpretive sign was designed and installed at the foot of the boardwalk
• Eleven interpretive signs were installed along the boardwalk and the Leopold Loop trail
• Plant ID signs were installed in the pollinator garden for 18 plant species
• Two additional picnic tables were installed to accommodate student work

It was a great year and we thank our members for making these accomplishments possible!