Little River Wetlands Project

                                   More about the Eagle Marsh Woods

Why did we push so hard to acquire the 29.4-acre Eagle Marsh Woods, writing a number of grant applications
and approaching other potential donors over the past year? Land that adjoins an existing nature preserve such
as Eagle Marsh is doubly valuable to wildlife because it enhances “corridor connectivity.” This is the idea that
many species need to roam over larger and more varied habitat to find their special environmental niches for
feeding, breeding, and in some cases surviving through the winter. We did not have much mature forest for
wildlife to use at Eagle Marsh and now we do. Moreover, the new woods further connects Eagle Marsh with
adjacent natural areas at Fox Island County Park and private property that is also woods, wetland, or prairie—
together creating almost two square miles of contiguous wildlife habitat.

The topography of the new woods is flat to gently undulating and is a relict of meandering stream action within the
Little River Valley. There are small sandy ridges interspersed with wetter areas—ideal salamander habitat! The
trees include mature red maple, silver maple, green ash, American elm, box elder, and cottonwood, with an
understory of American elder, buttonbush, spicebush, and more. Aquatic plants as well as emergent grasses
and sedges are common in the ephemeral wetlands. Some work will be required to eliminate invasive species
(here’s where our members and trusty volunteers are needed) but the wooded wetland is basically intact. Come
to our June 21 Open House at Eagle Marsh and see for yourself our new and wonderful woods!

                        Eagle Marsh Restoration Update
                                 By Betsy Yankowiak, Executive Director

The restoration of Eagle Marsh has continued this past winter and spring with the planting of areas on the north
and south sides of Engle Road. In April 15,000 trees and shrubs including red bud, swamp white oak, pin oak,
shagbark hickory, hazelnut, and buttonbush were put in. All were planted either on the north side of Engle Road
or along portions of the future Towpath Trail south of Engle Road. Also, with less than 24 hours notice, seven
volunteers joined me on April 18 to hand spread emergent seed mix along the edges of our ponds located near
Engle Road. Native plants such as marsh milkweed, blue vervain, common arrowhead, woolgrass, and Frank’s
sedge should grace these wet areas soon.   I’ve already been excited to see some of the seeds sown a few
months ago sprouting.

Unfortunately, among our growing native plants are others we don’t want--invasives and other non-native species.
Patches of garlic mustard, reed canary grass, Canada thistle and horseweed are numerous in some areas.
Other invasive species such as purple loosestrife and phragmites are coming up on Eagle Marsh’s boundaries,
ready to move in when they get the chance. With guidance from experts at The Nature Conservancy and in
cooperation with neighboring property owners, we’ve already begun efforts to control these problem species by
hand pulling, mowing, and spraying. While spraying always arouses concerns about contamination in a natural
area—a concern I personally share—I’ve attended two days of classes and passed two exams to be certified to
handle the needed chemicals. Controlling these invasive species is essential to stop their spread to other, more
pristine natural areas and to protect biodiversity at Eagle Marsh. I promise the herbicides will be used as
sparingly as possible.

Please bear with us while we continue to plant and begin the long process of helping our new native plants
become well established at Eagle Marsh and our two Arrowhead preserves. Believe me, the end result will be
worth the time, money and energy we must all put in over the next few years. Meanwhile, wild creatures are
already enjoying our properties’ enhanced habitats, and we hope you are, too!

Click here to learn more about the habitats we are establishing at Eagle Marsh.

Click here for an Eagle Marsh Trail Map

Click here for the Eagle Marsh Bird List

Let us know if you’d like to join our trails or stewardship committees to help determine the future of Eagle Marsh.
No experience needed, just enthusiasm and good ideas.