Award purpose:the purpose of this award is to provide additional capacity for crossroads at big creek to manage invasive woodyspecies in their IDA BAY preserve

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) awarded a $255,060 Cooperative Agreement under their Coastal Program (CFDA 15.630) to Crossroads At Big Creek, Inc., a non-profit organization in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The purpose of this award is to provide additional capacity for Crossroads At Big Creek to manage 53 acres of invasive woody species in their Ida Bay Preserve. Funding will enable the organization to hire a contractor to perform the most arduous invasive species treatments and plant native species in the project area. Additionally, the award will help Crossroads At Big Creek establish deer exclosures to reduce herbivory and promote biodiversity. Key deliverables include controlling 53 acres of woody invasives, removing a 6-acre cool season grass field and establishing a native pollinator-friendly prairie, and increasing habitat diversity to benefit pollinators, migratory birds, and the Northern long-eared bat. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 through May 19, 2028.

This funding will provide crossroads at big creek the ability to hire acontractor for the most arduous invasive species treatments, and give them the opportunity to plant native plantsin the project area. This funding will also help crossroads at big creek establish EX closures for deer to reduceherbivory on native plants, so that they can become established and promote biodiversity in the IDA BAY preserve.- activities to be performedwoody invasive species will be treated with cut-stump treatments and follow up foliage spray as necessary. A mixof native plants will be planted in the areas where most treatments occur. Saplings and plant plugs will beplaced around the IDA BAY preserve and protected from herbivory by fencing.- expected deliverables or OUTCOMES53 acres of woody invasive species control, removal of a 6 acre established cool season grass fallow field andinstallation of a native diverse pollinator friendly prairie, and increased diversity in forested habitats asdetermined by timed meanders.- intended beneficiariespollinators, migratory birds, and other species of special concern, such as the northern long-eared BAT, willbenefit from the increased pollen sources and insect diversity that the native plants will attract.- subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)n a.crossroads is free and open to all members of the public. This shared land ethic is also reflected in learning opportunities and public access crossroads provides. Crossroads IDA BAY preserve is an important resource for the greater community and for native species found within the lake michigan basin. The IDA BAY preserve is located along the historic shoreline of lake michigan. IT sits at its lowest point 10 feet above the lake level and approximately 400 feet from the lake shore. The site is comprised of a mosaic of habitats. The unique habitats proximity to shoreline and location along the mississippi flyway has made the property important to a variety of migratory and residential bird species and a federally and state listed plant species. This project aims to address 53 acres of medium to high density honeysuckle dominating the IDA BAY preserve and reestablish 6 acres of flowering prairie and reestablish seed sources for understory growth within the forested areas. Through these efforts crossroads aims to increase floral diversity to further support native species and grow in complexity coastal resources for native wildlife by providing high quality uplands directly adjacent to coastal wetlands.