Shiawassee NWR The habitat consists of riparian, floodplain/bottomland hardwood forests and emergent marshes, as well as moist soil management units and croplands. Significant concentrations of waterfowl occur during migration. Canada geese, American black ducks and prothonatary warblers are the most notable. A great diversity of other wildlife associated with freshwater marshes and floodplain forests are also present at various times throughout the year. Bald eagles are permanent residents of Shiawassee, visible to most visitors.
Two separate trails are available to the public for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and the general enjoyment of America's wildlife heritage. The refuge manages the Green Point Environmental Learning Center in a cooperative venture with the City of Saginaw, MI. The Center provides programs in environmental education to youths and adults of the surrounding area and a 2 1/2 mile trail system.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses a 60 km (35 mi.) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena. The Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including a 1871 lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations and an extensive rural historic farm district. Authorized: October 21, 1970. Acreage: 56,993 federal, 14,194 non-federal.
St. Marys Falls Canal The world-famous "Soo Locks" were a private enterprise until transferred to the U.S. Government in 1881. Visitors can see Great Lakes freighters over 1,000 ft long and "salties" (ocean-going ships) from around the world as they lock through between Lakes Superior and Huron. The waterway forms the international border between the U.S. and Canada in the cities of Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Lake Huron's unpredictable weather-its murky fog banks and sudden gales-coupled with rocky shoals helped Thunder Bay earn the unfortunate name of "Shipwreck Alley." During the Great Lakes' 200-year shipping history, scores of vessels ended their careers on the lake floor off Alpena, Michigan. The known wrecks rest as close to the surface as 12 feet and as deep as 180 feet. Some of the wreck sites remain largely intact while other sites are only remnants of vessels' boilers, engines, rudders, windlasses, and anchors. However, the known wrecks are only a small section of the total wreckages that have occured. Many of the wrecks remain undiscovered.These vessels, preserved in time within the fresh, cold waters of Lake Huron, still have stories to tell of Great Lakes maritime history and commerce, from the earliest explorations to westward expansion in the 1800s and modern day lake trade. Through exploration, education, and research, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve will bring to the American public the lore of Great Lakes maritime heritage.The recreational activity of diving can be experienced and enjoyed by visitors to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve.
Wyandotte NWR The Refuge consists of two islands, Grassy and Mammajuda, and adjacent shallow water areas. It is located in the Detroit River off shore from Wyandotte, Michigan, from where it takes its name. The Refuge is situated in what was once one of the most significant migratory staging areas for diving ducks in the United States. Extensive beds of aquatic vegetation, particularly wild celery, attracted large concentrations of divers, primarily canvasback and scaup. In the past 100 years, discharges from the steel and chemical industry and municipal sewage effluent along with the effects of large, deep draft vessels have degraded the lower Detroit River ecosystem, resulting in the substantial decline of these preferred foods. Grassy Island was used a a confined disposal facility for contaminated dredge spoil in the 60's and 70's. Due to this activity, Grassy is now primarily colonized by phragmites (common reed), and resident wildlife is scarce. Mammajuda Island no longer has significant land above the waterline. Only a remnant of the once vast rafts of migratory waterfowl are now seen at Wyandotte.Public access is not permitted on either island.
