Introducing: Headwaters cedar community forest project
Closing on this acquisition happened on August 1. We are grateful to all who have contributed to our Headwaters Conservation efforts in the Border Lakes region.
Headwaters Cedar is a milestone in NWA conservation efforts in the Border Lakes area.
WE especially are grateful to the Weeden, JC Bock, Watermolen, WE energies and Boulder Junction Community Foundations and our strident partners at the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition for assisting in Border Lakes conservation and public access efforts.
NWA introduced this great project in September 2021
The Headwater Cedars Community Forest (HCCF) project is new effort to establish a community forest and open 200 acres of forestland to non-motorized public access. This parcel is located west of Land O’ Lakes, WI and is easily accessed from Hwy. County B and the surrounding State Forest lands. The HCCF would contribute important connectivity to other notable forestlands; it is bordered by the Northern Highland State Forest (NHAL) and is in close proximity to the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands tracts, The Nature Conservancy’s Tenderfoot Reserve, and the University of Notre Dame research lands. This region is particularly susceptible to pressures of forest fragmentation and conversion to non-forest uses, and we do not take lightly the current opportunity to protect this unique parcel.
Bobcat and kitten on the Upper Wisconsin River Legacy Forest
Goshawk at perch. Goshawks are confirmed to be present on the HCCF.
In addition to the notable community benefits, the proposed HCCF would help protect integrity of habitats and ecosystems in this region. The HCCF is located within wildlife migration corridors between the NHAL and the Ottawa National Forest, and would help to maintain connectivity between these important intact forestlands. This area is also known as actively-used habitat for goshawks, and the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan states that the Winegar Moraine, is a top opportunity to protect larger blocks of forest habitat from fragmentation.The HCCF is also positioned in the headwaters of significant river drainages, and thus plays an important role in maintaining water quality. Wetlands on this parcel with black spruce, cedar, and alder provide valuable habitat and filter runoff from the hills on the NHAL before draining into the Tenderfoot Creek; the Tenderfoot is a headwater tributary of the Ontonagon River, and flows through Palmer and Tenderfoot Lakes before draining into the Upper Peninsula and joining Cisco Branch of the Ontonagon River. This river achieves federal Wild and Scenic River designation while flowing through the Ottawa National Forest before emptying into Lake Superior.
The HCCF project is located less than a mile from the Devils Lake Vista at the sub-continental watershed divide
The forested stands on this parcel are highlighted by 49 acres of mature cedar stands, with a rich understory of wood fern, orchids, and mountain maple.
Cedar stand on the HCCF. The Border Lakes region is an important wildlife corridor. Bears, wolves, bobcats and fisher are common here.
A family of black bears crosses a board walk on the Tenderfoot Reserve, 1 ¼ miles northwest of HCC
The proposed HCCF, an inholding of State forestlands, is indicated in pink.
HCCF timber map, depicting water features and six forest stand types.
Vernal pools are an essential habitat for amphibians and invertebrates, and create biodiversity hotspots in the forest. HCC features several high-quality vernal pools.
Seaonal pools collect water on the HCCF and release to the nearby Ontonagon River.
Summer 2022 updates on Headwaters Cedar Community Forest
August 2022: USFS Community Forest Program announced a $200,000 award to Headwaters Cedar Community Forest project, following Weeden Foundation & UPEC awards.
July 2022: A grant award of $25,000 received from the Weeden Foundation follows support from UPEC and other regional organizations and individuals.
We now seek community support to continue our progress in reaching the goal to open 200 acres in the Border Lakes area to the public. Community support is needed to match our search for suitable grants. We have a very respectable start to this fundraising effort. Along with local support to date, grant awards include $10,000 from the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC), $10,000 from an Upper Peninsula connected family foundation, $25,000 from the Bedford Hills NY based Weeden Foundation and advancing the HCCF is one of three priorities in the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Forestry award received this year. Grants from outside our area are helping us, thus, now we must make this effort successful.
The Weeden Foundation award boosts our efforts significantly; we are very grateful for out of state money to help us conserve a critical bird habitat in the Town of Land O Lakes. The HCCF project has extreme conservation need. At least two federally protected birds are active here, with a wide variety of other wildlife from black bear to tiny fairy shrimp. The Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan states this area is the best opportunity in the state to protect mature and old growth forests. HCCF has 50 acres of majestic cedar and also pockets of old age hemlock-yellow birch which will be retained as old growth. Rare plants such as spreading wood fern, mountain maple and orchids dominate the understory.
UPEC could see the need of protecting the headwaters of the Tenderfoot Creek which flows to Palmer and Tenderfoot Lakes on its journey to the Wild & Scenic Ontonagon River in the Ottawa National Forest and then Lake Superior. The HCCF is in the EPA designated Western Lake Superior Watershed Terrestrial Habitat Connectivity Pilot Area, which is a priority zone for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
In 2005 the Boundary of the Northern Highland State Forest (NHAL) was expanded north to encompass the Border Lakes, a top-rated conservation area in the WI Land Legacy Report. While some important land has been protected since in the NHAL, including 1130 acres adjoining HCCF, state land acquisition has not been a priority of the legislature for over a decade now. This is an opportunity for the community to help save a special forest, and create public access on 200 acres. Community support is necessary as we apply for larger federal or state grants, which normally fund at 50%.
HCCF is surrounded by state forest, and in close proximity to Wisconsin Land Commission forests, The Nature Conservancy Tenderfoot Reserve, University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center, and the Ottawa National Forest. At least two State Natural Areas are also nearby. Failure to protect the habitat of the HCCF will reflect poorly on these special lands.
To grasp this opportunity, please ponder: If not us now, then who and when? With land parcellation at a rampant pace, this is likely a final opportunity. Our actions today will offer future generations a bit of the same experience we have enjoyed in the Northwoods.
Creating the Headwaters Cedar Community Forest will recognize flora, fauna & people:
· Open 200-acres to non-motorized public use
· Protect old age cedar, hemlock, yellow birch
· Provide clean water to a Lake Superior tributary
· Shield a critical wildlife area endowed with rare species
· Foster respect for other protected lands
· Engage the wider community to be beneficiaries of a federal or state grant
· Maintain ecological harmony in the Border Lakes, a top-rated Land Legacy Area
· Conserve 200 acres in a Continentally Important Conservation Opportunity Area
Please consider the value of this project to the Northwoods community. The threat of losing this parcel was impending, but we now have an opportunity. 2022 and early 2023 will define our community to future generations who may benefit from Headwaters Cedar Community Forest. Please help as you are able.
Contact us with any questions.
Thank you