Bayfield Regional Conservancy is now the proud owner of the North Pikes Creek Wetlands Community Forest - 280 acres of headwater stream, forest, and wetland habitats in the North Pikes Creek watershed! Thank you very much to Futurewood Corporation and the Rathlef family (sellers) and WI DNR Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program and the USFS Community Forest Program (funders) for helping to make this possible. Thanks also to community members of the Town of Russell who envisioned this project. The headwaters of North Pikes Creek (NPC) are located near the tip of the Bayfield Peninsula and are surrounded by ancient glacial mountains. As a home and a stopover to a diversity of species, the North Pikes Creek project also protects a Class 1 trout stream that provides a home to Brook trout.
In the spring, the water trickles down the slopes into a giant natural sponge. The wetland sponge slowly soaks in water and then slowly releases it downsteam after it has been properly filtered. This is a job done by a community of inhabitants, especially beaver. The natural community of North Pikes Creek slows the flow of water and ensures Lake Superior is fed only fresh, clean water.
The North Pikes Creek Wetlands Community Forest is open to the public for hiking, fishing, hunting, trapping, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Over the next year, BRC will be working on a master plan for the property to understand how to properly manage it for various habitats and water quality benefits. We will also be working on identifying educational and recreational opportunities and infrastructure needs, and hope to work with the Friends of the North Pikes Creek organization to implement some of these types of projects.
Additionally, BRC will be allowing Beaver Trapping on the property BY PERMIT ONLY. The multiple North Pikes Creek beaver ponds are integral to the functioning of the wetlands and the associated palustrine habitats. As such, retaining the site's beaver ponds for the conservation of the important bird/waterfowl habitats and overall watershed health is important. BRC will scientifically manage the beaver population to maintain optimum, sustainable numbers by a regulated permit system for beaver trapping. The establishment of this permit system will ensure the maintenance of a healthy beaver population while avoiding adverse depletion, or overpopulation. Trappers who are interested must visit the BRC office to receive permission. For more information, please see permission letter.
In the spring, the water trickles down the slopes into a giant natural sponge. The wetland sponge slowly soaks in water and then slowly releases it downsteam after it has been properly filtered. This is a job done by a community of inhabitants, especially beaver. The natural community of North Pikes Creek slows the flow of water and ensures Lake Superior is fed only fresh, clean water.
The North Pikes Creek Wetlands Community Forest is open to the public for hiking, fishing, hunting, trapping, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Over the next year, BRC will be working on a master plan for the property to understand how to properly manage it for various habitats and water quality benefits. We will also be working on identifying educational and recreational opportunities and infrastructure needs, and hope to work with the Friends of the North Pikes Creek organization to implement some of these types of projects.
Additionally, BRC will be allowing Beaver Trapping on the property BY PERMIT ONLY. The multiple North Pikes Creek beaver ponds are integral to the functioning of the wetlands and the associated palustrine habitats. As such, retaining the site's beaver ponds for the conservation of the important bird/waterfowl habitats and overall watershed health is important. BRC will scientifically manage the beaver population to maintain optimum, sustainable numbers by a regulated permit system for beaver trapping. The establishment of this permit system will ensure the maintenance of a healthy beaver population while avoiding adverse depletion, or overpopulation. Trappers who are interested must visit the BRC office to receive permission. For more information, please see permission letter.
