Increase protection of climate resilient areas within 15 miles of the lake superior coastline along lake superiors south shore streams region in wisconsin

Activities will occur in high priority focus tributaries and their respective watersheds within this area. The USFWS midwest region coastal programs strategic work plan for the midwest indicates that the watersheds and streams of the great lakes basin are key to providing habitat for coastal anadromous fish, migratory birds, and other wildlife species. Unfortunately, several factors continue to negatively impact these federal trust species and their habitats making IT important to do additional land conservation. Our project work will decrease property subdivision in the region resulting in a corresponding decrease of patchwork management of the canopy, vegetative cover, and hydrology. This in turn will help improve watershed health and provide habitat for vulnerable wildlife species. The goal of this project is to protect additional land with high conservation values in the region of the south shore streams of lake superior. To do this, we will work with private landowners to increase their awareness of land protection and restoration opportunities. We will then execute land protection projects with willing landowners. Land protection will focus primarily on conservation easements that impose permanent restrictions on the lands future use and development. Fee simple acquisition projects may also be pursued depending on the property, funding opportunities, and landowner interest. USFWS funding will only be used for staff time to work on these projects and for planning activities related to these such projects including habitat assessments, GIS analysis, prioritization activities, and or costs of conveyance such as title search, phase 1 site assessment, or appraisals. Funding will not be used to purchase a conservation easement or land. Further, we will implement restoration activities on key properties through native plantings, invasive plant removal control, erosion mitigation, etc. To further improve habitats and enhance climate resiliency. Over the project period, we expect to complete 5-10 strategic permanent land protection or restoration projects in the lake superior south shore streams region of wisconsin. As a result of our project, we anticipate we will protect and or ecologically enhance over 1,000 acres during this project period. We will use a variety of outreach methods to reach out to landowners including mailings, phone calls, community presentations, and other communication avenues such as social media and press releases