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October 16, 2005Nature preserve growsConservancy purchases land near state parkByRecord-Eagle staff writer CHEBOYGAN - About two miles of rocky shoreline east of Cheboygan State Park will be kept as a nature preserve for the endangered plants and animals that thrive there. The rocky beaches along Lake Huron are critical habitat for the federally protected piping plover and bald eagle, as well as several endangered plants like the Pitcher's thistle, Houghton's goldenrod and Michigan's state wildflower, the dwarf lake iris. The Nature Conservancy's existing Grass Bay Preserve along Lake Huron grew by more than 11 acres this month when $472,000 in federal grant money was used to buy the Farley Tract. The additional property includes 712 feet of shoreline between the existing 750-acre preserve and the nearby state park. The Conservancy's Michigan chapter must raise $157,000 for a 25 percent match under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant, intended to protect piping plover territory. The preserve was established in 1979 with 80 acres along U.S. 23 and has grown through land donations and purchases. "Not only is it a really cool spot in Michigan, but it's important globally," said Andrea Kline, a conservation director with the Nature Conservancy. She said many of the flowers there, such as the dwarf lake iris and Houghton's goldenrod, are known to grow only in the Mackinac Straits and northern Lake Huron areas. The preserve is a relatively unknown stretch of quiet coastline and coniferous forest, where bird watchers can view neotropical migratory birds and volunteers protect known piping plover nesting spots in the summer. Only two homes were built on the shoreline between the preserve and the state park. Bob and Lynne Nissley, who live in one, said they are excited to see the preserve area expanded. "We're thrilled to live in such a neat area. We love to walk along the beach with all the flowers in the spring," Lynne Nissley said. "A lot of people don't realize what jewels we have here in Michigan." Many campers at nearby Cheboygan State Park ask about the preserve, park supervisor Paul Koszegi said, and often stroll down the beach to see the ecological treasure. He said when piping plovers lay their eggs among pebbles on the beach, volunteers try to spot them and fence off the area. The site also has state-listed endangered plants, such as the Lake Huron tansy and Lake Huron locust.
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