Great Lakes Island Purchased by Nature Conservancy Key Migration Site

The Nature Conservancy purchased an island located in Lake Michigan it says represents a key layover for the birds that migrate through the Great Lakes each year.

Previously owned and maintained by a Milwaukee family, the Conservancy acquired 1,244 acres, or 94 percent, of the island for $1.5 million -- a price the organization says is "substantially below fair market value."

According to Fred Luber, a member of the family selling the land and former chairman and CEO of Super Steel Products Corporation, conservancy was not in the plans when he purchased the island decades ago.

"When I bought the land, my initial idea was to develop it," Luber said in a statement. "But my family wanted to maintain its natural beauty. We really enjoyed the 30-some years we owned St. Martin Island. And we are delighted that The Nature Conservancy will protect and preserve it."

Known as St. Martin Island, it is one of the largest islands in a chain stretching from Wisconsin's Door Peninsula to Michigan's Garden Peninsula. Relatively undeveloped, these forested areas are critical to the survival of the birds that pass through, according to the Conservancy.

"Migration is very stressful for birds, and having safe stopover sites where they can rest and refuel is critical to their success," said Dave Ewert, Nature Conservancy senior scientist. "It has been estimated that 100 million birds use stopover sites in the Great Lakes region, so the protection of Great Lakes islands like St. Martin Island is absolutely essential."

Butterflies, dragonflies and bats also use the island chain during migration season.

Furthermore, the broad, shallow flats located off of St. Martin's shores are considered prime spawning area for fish. Finally, the island is part of the Niagara Escarpment and contains bluffs that house rare snails and plants. Other habitats found on the island include forest, wetlands and a large cobblestone beach.

The Conservancy says it plans to ultimately transfer the land to the US Fish and Wildlife Services so that it can be added to the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

"Nature doesn't concern itself with boundaries," said Jeff Knoop, land protection specialist for the Conservancy's Michigan program. "This is especially true in the Great Lakes basin where we all need to work together to conserve the lands and waters that support our economy and provide clean drinking water, recreation opportunities and fish and wildlife habitat."