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Recognition: |
The Nature Conservancy Natural
Areas Registry,
State of Michigan Park Plan |
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| Size: |
1236 acres |
| Location:
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Almost the most northern extent of
Leelanau Peninsula |
| Management: |
Leelanau State Park |
| Activities:
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Hiking, cross-country skiing,
hunting, fishing, camping (adjacent), photography, nature study |
Importance:
A rather narrow sand and rock beach backed by several low dune ridges, and a wide
sand-gravel flat with interdunal wetlands in some areas; behind these are high, forested
dunes with numerous unvegetated blowouts. The open dunes, along with the numerous
blowouts, are a fine example of this natural community, which was once common along the
eastern Lake Michigan shoreline. In the sand and gravel flats behind the foredune,
state-endangered piping plovers nest and feed. These birds usually nest on open wide
beaches, but this unusual nesting spot is apparently satisfactory. Healthy populations of
two state-threatened plants also grow in the interdunal area. Some shoreline areas may be
closed during portions of May, June, and July due to piping plover nesting
activity. |
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