THE CONSERVED PROPERTY

The acquisition and protection of an intact, biologically diverse, species rich forest and beaver wetland in the headwaters of the North Pikes Creek watershed, the core mission of the Friends since the organization’s inception, preserves the source of this watershed. The North Pikes Creek watershed occupies 32 square-miles and is traversed by a 6-mile stream corridor that starts in the Town of Russell and flows into Chequamegon Bay.

Multiple intermittent streams and tributaries converge in the emergent marsh on the north of the Friends’ Conservation Area property. This spring-fed marsh is the heart of the North Pikes Creek watershed’s headwaters. Beaver-created ponds, some more than a hundred years old, stair-step down the creek in the headwaters, creating a series of connected wetland ponds and marshes, surrounded by shrub thickets teeming with wildlife. The forests beyond the shrubby habitat include conifers and hardwoods in the lower areas, and aspen-birch forests on the higher ground. The Conservation Property is highly diverse, and provides habitat for an astounding number of wildlife species, from the smallest invertebrates to large carnivores.

The watershed is notable for its Class-I trout stream- one of the last unsilted streams flowing into the Bay- that harbors a self-sustaining population of brook trout. The watershed is also recognized as a well-used migratory corridor. Birds moving north along the shore of Lake Superior are funneled into the valley formed by the creek, and follow the eastern edge of the Bayfield Peninsula ridge north to the wetland headwaters, which serves as a WDNR-designated Tier-1 migratory bird stopover site.

Thousands of songbirds and hundreds of raptors use this landscape for resting, refueling, and staging for their journey around, or across, Lake Superior.

Since 2014, the Friends of the North Pikes Creek Wetlands has successfully secured the protection of 410 acres of high-quality, high-functioning, forested wetlands in the headwaters of the watershed. The Friends own 130 acres at the very head of the watershed, designated the Friends of the North Pikes Creek Wetlands Conservation Area, or simply, the Conservation Area. This highly diverse, species rich environment is protected in perpetuity by the Friends, and is scientifically managed to ensure the continuation of its value to the species that currently utilize the site, with special consideration for the dozens of rare, threatened and endangered species that call this habitat home.

Early in the organizational planning stage, the Friends met with dozens of organizations and community groups to learn how community members hoped to utilize the wetland properties the Friends planned to acquire. The resounding response was that the community wanted to be able to visit a wetland, view wildlife, and use the wetland habitat for education. We listened, and the concept of Beaver Hollow was born. After years of planning, fundraising, and diligent work by enthusiastic volunteers, the Beaver Hollow Outdoor Education Area is a reality.

The Friends are utilizing a small portion of their Conservation Area property, a previous cabin site, to provide a close to home, unique, handicapped accessible, outdoor nature experience for everyone in our community –  from infants in strollers, to individuals using mobility devices. Beaver Hollow offers a convenient venue for outdoor classes and workshops for individuals, schools, community organizations, and agencies. The nearly 1,700′ of accessible pathway and boardwalk guides visitation, and protects the fragile wetland environment.

The Friends’ Beaver Hollow Outdoor Education Area is an incomparable resource – found nowhere else in our region – that offers substantial benefits to people while simultaneously protecting the environment.