Landmark Conservancy assisted Bayfield County in purchasing a 160-acre property in the headwaters of the Lost Creek watershed in mid-December. This property contains two tributaries to Lost Creek which drain into the Lost Creek Bog State Natural Area and Lake Superior further downstream.

Protecting the headwaters area has long been prioritized by the community and this project complements land protection work that has been on-going in the Lost Creek watershed for over a decade. Located in the South Shore Streams Area of Lake Superior, Landmark and other conservation partners have identified the Lost Creek watershed as a critical area for biodiversity as the climate changes.

“Through a landowner outreach campaign, Landmark learned of an opportunity to partner with Bayfield County to protect additional land in the headwaters of Lost Creek,” said Conservation Manager Erika Lang. “As we have done on past projects including the permanent protection of Siskiwit River Preserve and Fire Hill Forest Preserve, Landmark worked with the county’s Forestry and Parks Department to seek grant funding for the purchase and to negotiate with the seller. By working with Bayfield County to purchase the property for conservation with grants from Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and Wisconsin Coastal Management, Landmark Conservancy is helping to protect various ecological benefits.”

Located along the Mississippi Flyway and in a Tier 1 Migratory Bird stopover area, the property provides habitat for a variety of migratory and breeding bird species that need these forested corridors for resting, refueling, and staging. By keeping this property in its natural state, runoff rates will be kept low and result in additional protection of water quality for Lake Superior and Lost Creek’s estuary.

The Lost Creek Headwaters project is an excellent example of Landmark’s shared vision with Bayfield County to protect forests that have high conservation values. “The entire 160-acre parcel will be added to the Bayfield County Forest and managed as part of the adjacent Lost Creek Falls Special Management Area. Without the significant financial and professional contributions from Landmark, these projects don’t happen. Bayfield County is looking forward to working on the next land conservation project with Landmark,” said Jason Bodine, Bayfield County’s Forestry and Parks Administrator.