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Home Clippings Efforts underway to help restore rare forested wetland on Belle Isle

PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

Efforts underway to help restore rare forested wetland on Belle Isle

August 4, 2021   •   Leave a Comment

The Belle Isle wetland is one of the largest wet-mesic flatwoods in existence and one of only six high-quality occurrences left in Michigan.

A unique but damaged ecosystem on the eastern side of Belle Isle Park is getting some much-needed attention. Restoration specialists with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are working to bring back 200 acres of globally rare, forested wetland at the 2.5-mile-long island park in the Detroit River. It’s one of the largest wet-mesic flatwoods in existence and one of only six high-quality occurrences left in Michigan, providing habitat for a variety of rare plants, wildlife species and migrating songbirds. Wet-mesic flatwoods (forested wetlands) once were prominent along the Detroit River. Efforts to restore natural water flow, retain surface water and enhance ecological integrity began in spring 2021 and will help reverse damage that has occurred over the past two centuries.

Detailed information can be found here (120MB PDF Download).

Filed Under: Clippings Tagged With: Belle Isle, DNR, restoration, wetland

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