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Much of what we do at the Conservancy results in the protection of our water: our rivers, inland lakes, Lake Superior and our drinking water. 

One look at a map of BRC’s service area and its easy to see how water fits into the protective work that we do.  Not only does our service area account for the vast majority of Wisconsin’s Lake Superior Watershed, but it also includes the headwaters of the Mississippi and numerous inland lakes.

Protecting Habitat
The Conservancy works to preserve habitat for our northwoods wildlife including the Bobcat, Black bear, Gray Wolf, White-tail Deer, Canada Lynx, a myriad of ducks and other waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, migratory song birds (our forests are still full of warblers!) to name a few.  Some of the habitats that we work to protect include:
  • Boreal Forest
  • Wisconsin Pine Barren
  • Wetlands and Estuaries
  • Northern Hardwood Forest
  • Lake Superior Beach
  • Inland Lakeshore
  • River shorelines

Protecting Land Protects Our Water
How land is used and what it is covered with effects water bodies it is adjacent to and greatly impacts how it receives and transfers water from precipitation.  By protecting natural habitat near waterbodies we help to preserve water quality.  For example forests next to streams:
  • Provide shade, preventing coldwater streams from heating up in the sun and helping them maintain healthy populations of cold water loving fish like trout
  • Provide nutrients to the water in the form of fallen leaves and other debris. 
  • Provide fish habitat when branches and trees fall into and remain in the stream bed.

Keeping much of our land covered in natural habitat keeps our water quality high, provides drinking water and keeps our rivers and lakes healthy because it increases the amount of water that goes into the soil and water table.  Forests also reduce the speed at which water flows over the land and how it enters our rivers and streams, reducing run-off and filtering our water to keep it clear and keep stream habitat healthy.
_Bayfield Regional Conservancy ~ 33 N. 1st Street, Bayfield, WI 54814 ~ 715.779.5263 ~ [email protected]