Lake Superior Forest
Size: 80 acres
Location: Town of Russel, Bayfield County
Habitat Types: Quality mixed upland forest, wetland, farmland
Conservation Values: Provides habitat for species of conservation concern, wildlife habitat, scenic views of Lake Superior, protects water quality for Lake Superior.
Description: This scenic property provides habitat for many species of plants and animals including forest of high conservation value such as Hemlock Hardwood stands that are an excellent example of the complex mixture of plants that once dominated the Superior Coastal Plain. Wildlife known to use the area include beaver, coyote, fox, badger, fishers, weasel, bob cat, black bear, white tailed deer and other mammals representative of Northern Wisconsin. In the spring, a pond on the property has great blue herons, wood ducks, mallards, mergansers, and kingfishers; other birds include barred owls and hawks. The property is scenic with views of Lake Superior and visible ridgeline from Lake Superior. Habitats also include White pine – Red Maple – Blueberry and Sugar Maple-Eastern Hemlock-Wild Lily-of-the-Valley. The property is located in a transitional zone of clay, loam and sand found on the slopes of the Bayfield Peninsula leaving some areas saturated while others are well drained. The diversity of soil conditions has led to a highly diverse forest community that has declined throughout the Peninsula and its relatively natural communities support the full array of wildlife species found in these habitat types. The property also provides an important buffer for the adjacent organic farm, has natural wetlands that provide habitat for a variety of aquatic plants and animals, is located on highly erodible soils and is drained by Brickyard Creek, Red Cliff Creek, and Chicago Creek (Class II Trout Stream), all of which empty into Lake Superior. Any land use that disturbs the soil or soil cover can contribute to severe erosion and therefore the property is best kept in a forested state. Including working agricultural land and working forest land the property is being managed sustainably and to restore natural habitat.
