Priority Areas

Our focus on priority populations and habitats inevitably led to recommendations for specific conservation actions at specific places in the LGBFR AOC. Certain critical areas in the LGBFR AOC have multiple habitats and populations that can be protected, managed, or restored. Hence, we describe a portfolio of priority areas that ultimately will be instrumental in helping achieve the BUI removal targets for fish and wildlife habitats and populations. We define “priority areas” as areas of importance that contain valuable fish and wildlife habitats and that may serve as convenient management units or focus areas for restoration planning. Most of these priority areas are well known and many are already under some form of public or conservation ownership.

Check out our online, interactive GIS map (http://arcg.is/1LG9Wi) to view these priority areas and other related GIS data. Click on "Content" to turn GIS layers on and off. No log-in required.

Fox River

Photograph of the Fox River facing the De Pere Dam (back), Abbey Pond (left), and Ashwaubomay Memorial River Park (center). Photograph taken by Erin Giese on 2 December 2016 facing southwest.

General Description

The Fox River is a third order stream that flows northeast and forms the basis of the Lower Fox River basin, which is 1,654 km in size. The lower Fox River starts from Lake Winnebago and empties into Green Bay, which is the western arm of Lake Michigan. The Fox River priority area only includes the Fox River open water from the mouth of the Fox River to the De Pere Dam. In order for small boats to travel upstream past the De Pere Dam, they must travel through the De Pere Locks. The shipping channel in the lower bay of Green Bay continues down the Fox River roughly 6.5 km upstream to the south with depths of up to 7.32 km (24 ft) in the river. Waters along the eastern and western shorelines of the Fox River range from 0.30-1.22 km (1-4 ft) deep. The East River, Ashwaubenon Creek, and Dutchman Creek are smaller second order streams that empty into the Fox River. When the Fox River empties into the lower bay, the water currents move in a counterclockwise direction starting by traveling up the eastern shore of the bay to Sturgeon Bay, at which point the currents turn west. Seiche can affect shorelines along the Fox River for up to 9.66 km (6 mi) upstream. Sediments consist of sand and clay.

Unfortunately, water quality in the lower bay and Fox River has been poor for decades. The LGBFR AOC was originally listed as a Great Lakes Area of Concern in 1988 due to poor water quality, contaminated sediments, and degraded or lost habitat and has a long history of pollution. Since 2009, the Fox River Cleanup Project has been working to dredge up historic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in 20.92 km (13 mi) that are found in Fox River sediment. Waters within the LGBFR AOC regularly report high concentrations of total phosphorus, total suspended solids, nitrates/nitrates, and toxic chemicals, leading to poor overall water quality. It can also be turbid and experience summer and late fall blooms of harmful algae. Fox River waters often contain low levels of oxygen, especially in the summer, which can be problematic and deadly for fish. The land surrounding the Fox River between the De Pere Dam and mouth of the Fox River is heavily industrialized and urbanized, creating a significant amount of impervious surfaces, which contributes to the nutrient runoff problem.  

Despite water quality issues, a great number of wildlife still use the Fox River, especially fish species, and it is extremely well studied particularly in terms of fish and water quality. Over the past several decades, scientists from agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, and other organizations have conducted dozens of research projects and collected data on fish, water quality, odonates, bats, birds, anurans (frogs + toads), and plants.  

Like other Great Lakes, large ships and freighters regularly use the bay and Fox River shipping channel for transporting goods, such as coal, limestone, salt, wood products, and other products. Residents and visitors of Green Bay regularly use the waters of the lower bay and Fox River for fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, diving, water sports, and nature viewing. Therefore, improving the quality of lower Green Bay waters and associated habitats would improve the livelihood and economics of both wildlife and people.

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of the Fox River.

Map

Map of Fox River plant communities, which are delineated based ont he UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe.

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Green Bay Open Water East

Photograph of a group of ducks and Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) pictured in the priority area, Green Bay Open Water East. Photograph taken by Emily Weber on 11 April 2018.

General Description

The Green Bay Open Water East priority area consists of the eastern half of the open water/pelagic zone of the lower bay of Green Bay, which is the western arm of Lake Michigan. It is somewhat arbitrarily distinguished and separated from the Green Bay Open Water West priority area by the shipping channel, though there are some distinct differences between the eastern and western halves of the bay. Shallower areas along the eastern shoreline, Point Sable Bar (drowned sandbar that extends from Point Sable nearly reaching Longtail Point), and where Grassy Island used to reside (former island across from present day Cat Island Wave Barrier and by Lone Tree Island) can range from 0.30 m to 1.83 m (1-6 ft) in depth. The remainder of Green Bay Open Water East can get as deep as 3.05 m (10 ft) with the exception of the shipping channel, which can be up to 7.32-7.92 m (24-26 ft) deep. The Fox River empties into the lower bay, and the water currents move in a counterclockwise direction starting by traveling up the eastern shore to Sturgeon Bay, at which point the currents turn west. Sediments largely consist of sand and silt. Unfortunately, water quality in the lower bay has been poor for decades. The LGBFR AOC was originally listed as a Great Lakes Area of Concern in 1988 due to poor water quality, contaminated sediments, and degraded or lost habitat. Waters within the LGBFR AOC regularly report high concentrations of total phosphorus, total suspended solids, nitrates/nitrates, and toxic chemicals, leading to poor overall water quality. It can also be turbid and experience summer and late fall blooms of harmful algae.  

Despite water quality issues, a great number of fish and wildlife still use the lower bay’s pelagic zone. The Green Bay Open Water East (and West) priority area is extremely well studied and may in fact be one of the most studied priority areas in the LGBFR AOC. Over the past several decades, scientists from agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, and other organizations have conducted dozens of research projects and collected data on fish, water quality, invertebrates, birds, and plants. Like other Great Lakes, large ships and freighters regularly use the pelagic zone of the bay of Green Bay via the shipping channel for importing and exporting products and goods. Residents and visitors of Green Bay regularly use the waters of the lower bay for fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, diving, water sports, and nature viewing. Therefore, improving the quality of lower Green Bay waters and associated habitats would improve the livelihood and economics of both wildlife and people. 

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of the Green Bay Open Water East.

Map

Map of Green Bay Open Water East plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe.

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Green Bay Open Water West

American Wigeons (Mareca americana) and Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) in the priority area of Green Bay Open Water West. Photograph taken by Emily Weber on 24 April 2018 facing the west shore of the Bay of Green Bay.

General Description 

The Green Bay Open Water West priority area consists of the western half of the open water/pelagic zone of the lower bay of Green Bay, which is the western arm of Lake Michigan. It is somewhat arbitrarily distinguished and separated from the Green Bay Open Water East priority area by the shipping channel, though there are some distinct differences between the eastern and western halves of the bay. Shallower areas in the Duck Creek Delta, along the southern shoreline of Longtail Point, in Dead Horse Bay, and behind the Cat Island Wave Barrier can range from 0.30 m to 1.52 m (1-5 ft) in depth. Deeper waters occur in between Longtail Point and the Cat Island Wave Barrier with depths up to 3.35-4.88 m (11-16 ft) and in the shipping channel, which can be up to 7.32-7.92 m (24-26 ft) deep. The Fox River empties into the lower bay, and the water currents move in a counterclockwise direction starting by traveling up the eastern shore to Sturgeon Bay, at which point the currents turn west. Sediments largely consist of sand and silt. Unfortunately, water quality in the lower bay has been poor for decades. The LGBFR AOC was originally listed as a Great Lakes Area of Concern in 1988 due to poor water quality, contaminated sediments, and degraded or lost habitat. Waters within the LGBFR AOC regularly report high concentrations of total phosphorus, total suspended solids, nitrates/nitrates, and toxic chemicals, leading to poor overall water quality. It can also be turbid and experience summer and late fall blooms of harmful algae.  

Despite water quality issues, a great number of fish and wildlife still use the lower bay’s pelagic zone. The Green Bay Open Water West (and East) priority area is extremely well studied and may in fact be one of the most studied priority areas in the LGBFR AOC. Over the past several decades, scientists from agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, Oneida Tribe, and other organizations have conducted dozens of research projects and collected data on fish, water quality, invertebrates, birds, and plants. Like other Great Lakes, large ships and freighters regularly use the pelagic zone of the bay of Green Bay via the shipping channel for importing and exporting products and goods. Residents and visitors of Green Bay regularly use the waters of the lower bay for fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, diving, water sports, and nature viewing. Therefore, improving the quality of lower Green Bay waters and associated habitats would improve the livelihood and economics of both wildlife and people. 

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of the Green Bay Open Water West.

Map

Map of Green Bay Open Water West plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe.

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Bay Shore Woods and Beach

Photograph of Bay Shore Woods and Beach facing southeast. Photograph taken by Erin Giese on 2 December 2016.

General Description 

Bay Shore Woods and Beach is a priority area located within the western corner of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus and is a part of the Cofrin Memorial Arboretum. The property is owned and managed by the UW-Green Bay Cofrin Center for Biodiversity (CCB), though the City of Green Bay owns two small parcels. It primarily follows the bay of Green Bay shoreline and almost entirely consists of hardwood swamp, though emergent high energy marsh and Great Lakes beach are found along the shoreline. Great Lakes beach is a relatively rare habitat within the LGBFR AOC as well as within the state of Wisconsin; nearly 0.7 km of beach traces the shoreline of this priority area. The northeastern half of this priority area consists of Keowns silt loam soils, while the southwestern half is Allendale loamy fine sand along the shoreline and Poygan silty clay loam soils in the forested areas. Although several invasive plant species frequent parts of the hardwood swamp and shoreline, it still supports ~180 bird species annually (both migratory and breeding), known odonate (dragonflies and damselflies) species, >30 fish species offshore, and several mammal and reptile species. Because UW-Green Bay owns this priority area, it is extremely well-studied by university and agency scientists, particularly for plants, birds, and some arthropods. CCB staff have also been actively managing invasive plant species, especially understory woody plants (e.g., glossy buckthorn [Frangula alnus]), to try and improve these important wildlife habitats.

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of the Bay Shore and Woods.

Map

Map of Bay Shore Woods and Beach plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort. Map made by Jon Schubbe.

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Cat Island

General Description 

The Cat Island Wave Barrier is a ~4.5 km long causeway that extends into the open bay of Green Bay from Peters Marsh along the southern west shore. Off the causeway/wave barrier, are three artificial island “cells” with “legs” extending off the main road/causeway. Historically, there were three large barrier islands (i.e., the Cat Island Chain) that provided critical fish and wildlife habitat for birds, fish, invertebrates, and furbearers and offered a protected refugium for native plants and extensive Great Lakes beach. These islands were very popular to duck hunters as well. Due to extremely high water levels in the bay, massive storms, and hardened shorelines, these islands washed away during the spring of 1973 with the exception of a few small sandy islands, including parts of Cat Island. The huge emergent and submergent marshes of the Duck Creek Delta complex also vanished because the islands no longer provided the much-needed protection and because of high sediment loads further upstream. In the 1980s, a group of local conservationists proposed the idea of reconstructing these three barrier islands and formalized the idea in the LGBFR AOC’s 1988 Remedial Action Plan. It took decades of extensive planning and acquiring funding for that idea to materialize and become a reality. They collaborated with Brown County, Brown County Port and Resource Recovery Office, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and decided to reconstruct these islands. Over time, the Cat Island Wave Barrier and island “cells” were eventually constructed by May 2013.  

Although the project will not be fully completed for another 20-30 years, many fish and wildlife have already been documented using the relatively new dredge material, which consists of sand and clay, in the westernmost island “cell,” including the federally and state endangered shorebird, the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus). Piping Plovers have not been recorded nesting in lower Green Bay in over 70 years and were only previously known to nest on Longtail Point and Little Tail Point. This project site is also currently considered the best shorebird migratory stopover site in the entire state of Wisconsin. While the project is far from completion, it offers many unique opportunities for wildlife managers and researchers to explore adaptive management techniques, such as constructing tern nesting platforms, testing out different nesting substrate for Piping Plovers, and restoring native submergent and emergent plants in the shadow of the wave barrier. Many research projects are currently taking place as scientists and managers explore the re-establishment of submergent and aquatic plants and the responses of fish and wildlife. 

This project provides an excellent example of conservationists and resource managers working together to solve problems and achieve success through collaboration, communication, and identifying common ground.

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of Cat Island.

Map

Map of Cat Island plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe.

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Dead Horse Bay

Photograph of Dead Horse Bay facing northwest. Photograph taken by Erin Giese on 2 December 2016.

General Description

Dead Horse Bay is a part of Green Bay’s west shore wetland complex and has been called the “armpit” of Longtail Point being sandwiched in between the west shore and Longtail Point. It largely consists of open water as well as one of the largest and highest quality submergent marshes in the entire LGBFR AOC, which includes a few small pockets of wild celery (Vallisneria americana) along this priority area’s eastern border adjacent to Longtail Point. The Longtail Point peninsula offers protection from wave action to the Dead Horse Bay-west shore wetland complex, which promotes growing conditions for aquatic and submergent plants. The amount and types of habitats may vary depending on lake levels within this rather dynamic Great Lakes coastal system. The effects of lake levels on the amount of emergent and submergent marsh and open water can be seen in aerial imagery from 1938, 1960, and 2014 in comparison to the extremely high lake levels in the 1970s (aerial image from 1978) on the Brown County Online GIS Portal. Rafts of over 20 migratory waterfowl species have been reported within Dead Horse Bay in 2016 and 2017 within the open water and submergent marsh, including American Coot (Fulica americana), scaup, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, teal, mergansers, and more though it is already known as an important migratory waterfowl stopover site. Canvasbacks especially used Dead Horse Bay. Some of these ducks feed on aquatic plant seeds while others forage on zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and aquatic insects, such as worms (subclass Oligochaeta) and chironomids (family Chironomidae). Dead Horse Bay is popular for fishing and duck hunting. While there are extensive beds of native submerged aquatic vegetation, there is great potential for this site to be enhanced and expanded as well as managed for invasive plant species, such as Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). Several research projects have taken place in Dead Horse Bay in recent years, including multiple fish studies (e.g., WDNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UW-Green Bay), submerged aquatic vegetation survey (UW-Green Bay), migratory waterfowl survey (UW-Green Bay), and invertebrate study (UW-Green Bay).

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of Dead Horse Bay.

Map

Map of Dead Horse Bay’s plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe. Jump to the top of the page here.

Duck Creek Estuary North

Photograph of Duck Creek Estuary North facing northwest. Photograph taken by Erin Giese on 2 December 2016.

General Description

Duck Creek Estuary North is located north of the mouth of Duck Creek alongside Interstate 41 and is a part of the Duck Creek Delta wetland complex. While the priority area has been significantly modified over the years from development, road construction, and agricultural/storm water runoff, it still features a natural hydrologic gradient that grades from submergent/emergent marsh into southern sedge meadow, shrub carr, and hardwood swamp. While Duck Creek flows northeast from roughly 22 km (13.8 mi) inland and empties into the bay of Green Bay, it has been known to reverse course and flow upstream (i.e., southwest) as far as 6.4 km (4 mi) during high water levels and seiche in the bay¹². It primarily consists of Tedrow loamy fine sand soils and Keowns silt loam.

Historically, however, this priority area was a part of a huge wetland complex of submergent and emergent marsh of >200 ha that was protected by a group of barrier islands called the Cat Island Chain, as seen on 1938 aerial imagery from the Brown County Online GIS Portal. This wetland complex provided critical wildlife habitat for fish, birds, invertebrates, and furbearers and offered a protected refugium for native plants, including wild rice (Zizania palustris) and wild celery (Vallisneria americana). Unfortunately, due to extremely high water levels in the bay, massive storms, and hardened shorelines, these islands largely washed away during the spring of 1973. The huge Duck Creek Delta wetland complex vanished because the islands no longer provided the much-needed wave/storm protection. In May of 2013, these barrier islands were reconstructed along a causeway with artificial islands called “cells” (project called the Cat Island Wave Barrier), where shipping canal dredge material will be placed over the next 20-30 years. This project was originally initiated by a local group of dedicated conservationists in the 1980s, and the hope is that this once extensive submergent and emergent marsh will reform in the coming years given the right conditions and lake levels.

Including the Duck Creek Estuary North priority area, the Duck Creek Delta is a heavily studied area in the lower bay. Researchers and managers from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), UW-Green Bay, and Oneida Tribe have conducted studies on plants, fish, birds, anurans (frogs + toads), spiders, and water quality as well as multiple restoration efforts, including the attempt to re-establish wild rice. Because of the added protection of the Cat Island Wave Barrier and pockets of relatively good quality habitat, the Duck Creek Estuary North priority area has great potential to be improved and restored and should be considered a high priority restoration site. 

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of Duck Creek Estuary North.

Map

Map of Duck Creek Estuary North’s plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe. A small patch of southern sedge meadow was found by Dr. James Horn during the LGBFR AOC 2016 plant biodiversity hotspot mapping and its general location is indicated by the yellow star below.

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Longtail Point

General Description 

Longtail Point is a peninsula that extends 5 km into lower Green Bay along the west shore in the Village of Suamico. It constitutes the LGBFR AOC’s northwestern-most border, and to the southwest of it in its wave shadow is Dead Horse Bay. Longtail Point largely consists of coastal emergent marsh, though there are thin slivers of hardwood swamp and Great Lakes beach along the northern edge. The entire peninsula is subject to the highly dynamic Great Lakes coastal system since it is mostly marsh and can largely be underwater during high Great Lake water levels or dry and sandy during low water years. Like most of the Bay’s west shore, it primarily consists of Roscommon muck soils and otherwise standing water. Suamico River empties directly to the peninsula’s north side. Despite the fact that Longtail Point is invaded by Phragmites australis (common reed) and the hybrid cattail (Typha × glauca), it is still an important migratory waterfowl stopover site, nursery habitat for many fish species, and breeding habitat for marsh birds. Although Longtail Point is publicly owned, it is not extremely well studied, perhaps because it is difficult to access and is best visited by boat. Because it is publicly owned, the quality and integrity of Longtail Point may be threatened by heavy recreational use (e.g., boating)7. However, there is great potential for this site to be enhanced in terms of the quality of its emergent marsh and other habitats. Within the past five years, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been proactive in terms of tackling the widespread issue of Phragmites in the Bay of Green Bay. In 2011, 2012, and 2015, they conducted large-scale aerial and ground sprayings of Phragmites along the west shore and other areas, including Longtail Point.
 

Map

Map of Longtail Point’s plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe. 

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Malchow/Olson Tract

Photograph of the Malchow/Olson Tract facing directly west. Photograph taken by Erin Giese on 2 December 2016.

General Description

The Malchow/Olson Tract is a relatively large, privately owned priority area located along the west shore of the bay of Green Bay just south of Longtail Point, which constitutes the LGBFR AOC northwestern-most border. Since the late 1890s (estimated), this land has been owned by the descendants of the now deceased William and Gordon Malchow. Before Gordon and his wife Ethel Malchow died, their one wish was for their children to protect this family property for the purposes of wildlife preservation. Thanks to this family’s perseverance, led by Eileen Olson (Gordon and Ethel Malchow’s daughter) and her relatives, the Malchow/Olson Tract has largely been untouched and undisturbed over the past 100+ years with the exception of the family’s farmland and houses. Like much of the west shore, it primarily consists of Tedrow loamy fine sand and Roscommon muck soils. Within the entire LGBFR AOC, parts of this property’s emergent marsh and nearly all of its hardwood swamp have the highest ecological quality for these habitat types because they have high native plant diversity and little to no invasives. It is one of the few places in the LGBFR AOC that still contains the historical mosaic of submergent and emergent marsh that naturally grades into southern sedge meadow, shrub carr, and hardwood swamp. It provides critical habitat for northern pike (Esox lucius), muskrats, breeding and migratory birds, and migratory waterfowl offshore and is a refuge for many native plants that are locally uncommon to the LGBFR AOC. A few invasive plants have been found here in recent years, including Phragmites australis (common reed) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), however, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has treated Phragmites in 2011-2012 with aerial spraying and on the ground treatment in 2015-201643. Because of these efforts, the amount of Phragmites present today is very minimal. Fish, plants, birds, and anurans (frogs + toads) have been sampled at this site in the past several years, though additional research and monitoring are still needed. Based on what is currently known, every effort should be made to protect this property because it provides essential fish and wildlife habitat, which helps support sustainable health fish and wildlife populations within the LGBFR AOC.

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of the Malchow/Olson Tract.

Map

Map of the Malchow/Olson Tract’s plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe. Jump to the top of the page here.

Peters Marsh

Photograph of Peters Marsh facing west. Photograph taken by Erin Giese on 2 December 2016.

General Description

Peters Marsh is a relatively large priority area located along the west shore of the bay of Green Bay just south of Lineville Road that is almost entirely publicly owned by Brown County and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Its eastern border is protected from wave action by Bayshore Drive and the Cat Island Wave Barrier (fully constructed in 2013), though the southern part of the marsh is open and exposed to the bay, seiche, and wave action. Like much of the west shore, it primarily consists of Roscommon muck and Tedrow loamy fine sand soils. Depending on lake levels, it is primarily dominated by emergent and submergent marsh that naturally grades into shrub carr. Unfortunately, most of the emergent marsh is dominated by a monoculture of the invasive hybrid cattail (Typha × glauca), common reed (Phragmites australis), and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), quite unlike the historical assemblage of native plants that formerly were dominants, which includes sedges, wild rice (Zizania aquatica), wild celery (Vallisneriaamericana), and cattails (Typha latifolia). Despite its current extremely low native plant diversity, it provides critical habitat for muskrats, anurans (frogs + toads), breeding and migratory marshbirds, waterfowl, fish, and insects.

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of the Peters Marsh.

Map

Map of Peters Marsh’s plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe. 

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General Description

Point au Sable is a peninsula located along the eastern shore of the bay of Green Bay, approximately 10 km northeast of the city of Green Bay (in the town of Scott), and constitutes the LGBFR AOC northeastern-most boundary. It consists of a wide variety of habitats including emergent marsh, hardwood swamp, Great Lakes beach, and a small patch of southern sedge meadow. In fact, the Point contains one of the largest remaining Great Lakes coastal wetlands along the bay of Green Bay’s eastern shore. It primarily consists of Tedrow loamy fine sand, ruse silt loam, and Markey muck soils. Today, Pt. au Sable is primarily owned and managed by the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity (CCB) at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay though some of it is privately owned; the university portion is officially called the “Point au Sable Nature Preserve.” Even though several aggressively invasive plant species are frequent to dominant in parts of the Point, it still supports over 200 bird species annually and is an extremely important migratory bird stopover location for many waterfowl, Neotropical migrant songbirds, and shorebirds. It is also an important nursery for yellow perch (Perca flavescens), provides spawning habitat for northern pike (Esox lucius), and is home to over 40 species of fish in Wequiock Creek and offshore areas. Because UW-Green Bay owns most of the Point, it is extremely well-studied by university and agency scientists. CCB staff have been heavily treating and managing invasive plant species, especially the common reed (Phragmites australis) and understory woody plants (e.g., showy bush honeysuckle [Lonicera × bella]).

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of Point au Sable.

Map

Map of Point Sable’s plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe. 

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Upper Duck Creek North

Photograph of the Upper Duck Creek North priority area in the background, to the west of Interstate 41. The mouth of Duck Creek and Duck Creek Estuary North are shown in the foreground. Photograph taken by Erin Giese on 2 December 2016 facing northwest.

General Description 

Upper Duck Creek North is located just west of the mouth of Duck Creek and Interstate 41 and is a part of the Duck Creek Delta wetland complex. While the priority area has been significantly modified over the years from development, road construction, and agricultural/storm water runoff, it still features a hydrologic habitat gradient that grades from submergent/emergent marsh into southern sedge meadow, shrub carr, and hardwood swamp. While the emergent marsh is heavily dominated by the invasive, hybrid cattail (Typha × glauca), parts of the shrub carr and especially southern sedge meadow have good quality plants, though restoration would significantly improve their overall ecological quality. Duck Creek flows northeast from roughly 22 km (13.8 mi) inland and empties into the bay of Green Bay, though it has been known to reverse course and flow upstream (i.e., southwest) as far as 6.4 km (4 mi) during high water levels and seiche in the bay. It primarily consists of Tedrow loamy fine sand soils and Keowns silt loam. While many parts of the Duck Creek Delta are heavily studied in the lower bay, the Upper Duck Creek North priority area is not well studied, at least not in recent years, with a few exceptions. By the fall of 2012, the Oneida Tribe removed two dams and modified an existing dam upstream in Pamperin Park, which improved fish habitat for species such as northern pike (Esox lucius). The UW-Green Bay’s CCB led a LGBFR AOC bird survey in 2015, habitat mapping effort in 2015, plant biodiversity hotspot mapping and inventory in 2016, and submerged aquatic vegetation mapping in 2017. All surveys included visits to the Upper Duck Creek North priority area. The WDNR has also conducted an aerial spraying of herbicide to manage common reed (Phragmites australis) along the west shore. They sprayed this priority area’s emergent marsh in 2012.

For more information click here to download the complete narrative of Upper Duck Creek North.

Map

Map of Upper Duck Creek North’s plant communities, which are delineated based on the UW-Green Bay 2015 habitat mapping effort and 2017 submerged aquatic vegetation surveys. Map made by Jon Schubbe. 

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