Natural Resources Board approves plan for protection, management of Green Bay west shore wildlife and natural areas
HAYWARD, Wis. - Important wildlife and fisheries areas along the west shore of Green Bay will continue to be managed for protection of existing habitats, aquatic resources and rare communities, particularly coastal wetlands, under a plan approved by the state Natural Resources Board at its meeting in Hayward today.
The master plan for the Green Bay Planning Group covers an area along the west shore of Green Bay from Peshtigo south to Green Bay in Marinette, Oconto, and Brown counties. It consists of 12 Department of Natural Resources properties, including all the units of the Green Bay West Shore Wildlife Area, and other scattered parcels.
"The west shore of Green Bay contains about 50 percent of all the coastal wetlands remaining on the shore of Lake Michigan," says Yoyi Steele, DNR wildlife planner. "It hosts a rich array of wildlife including birds, mammals, fish and invertebrates. It is home to rare and endangered species like the wood turtle, bald eagle and red-shouldered hawk. It is an extremely important stopover area for migrating birds, as well as for spawning fish such as northern pike and lake sturgeon."
In addition to emphasizing continued management the master plan also addresses traditional outdoor recreational activities along with continued collaboration with external partners and private landowners.
The plan includes improvements to an existing shooting range, opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and accessible shore fishing sites and hunting blinds, and a new snowmobile connector trail.
"Their close proximity to the Green Bay and Oconto and Peshtigo areas make these areas very popular for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating and wildlife viewing" Steele said.