Existing Bird Habitat

A crowd of more than 30 was on hand at the Community Center as the Town of Manitowish Waters was honored as one of 15 inaugural Bird City Wisconsin communities. From left: Town Supervisor Henry Bauers, Town Chairman John L. Hanson, BCW coordinator Carl Schwartz, North Lakeland Discovery Center executive director Sarah Johnson, Discovery Center bird club president Judy Cassady and Chamber of Commerce executive director Jodi McMahon display the street signs, flag and plaque the town will be displaying. (Photo by Eric A. Johnson)

Powell Marsh State Wildlife Area: More than 95% of the 4,303-acre Powell Marsh State Wildlife Area lies within the Town of Manitowish Waters. Powell Marsh State Wildlife Area is home to waterfowl, deer, Ruffed Grouse, furbearers, raptors, shorebirds, grassland birds, songbirds and many other types of wildlife. The property is a large peat land complex with a variety of wetland types and plant communities. It was established in 1955 to produce more geese for hunters. Today, it provides significant, local wildlife-based recreation, particularly waterfowl hunting and birding opportunities. Management emphasizes habitat for waterfowl and species that require open wetland and grassland habitat. A combination of prescribed fire, hand cutting, mowing and shearing is used to limit the growth of shrubs and tamarack, while increasing the abundance of grasses and sedges.

An 1,800-acre refuge within the marsh is maintained to protect wildlife (including all bird life) from hunting and other disturbances. Entry into this posted area is not allowed from Sept. 1 to Dec. This refuge lies completely within the Town of Manitowish Waters.

Northern Highlands American Legion State Forest: Approximately 5,700 acres lies within the Town of Manitowish Waters. Protection and management of these lands for wildlife, including many bird species, is a high priority.

North Lakeland Discovery Center: All of the 66 acres of this Private Education Center lies within the Town of Manitowish Waters. The center offers year-round environmental education. Birds and wildlife are protected within the center’s grounds.

The Town of Manitowish Waters website, www.mwtown.org, has an aquatic invasive species link to the North Lakeland Discovery Center Invasive Species website, http://www.discoverycenter.net/ais.htm. The Discovery Center is also located in the Town of Manitowish Waters. At the website, information is given on invasive species identification and what the public can do to stop invasive species from spreading.

The Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce distributes a multitude of invasive species literature and information.

The town is also an active participant in the Wisconsin Headwaters Invasive Partnership (WHIP). This is a cooperative program between Oneida and Vilas Counties to combat terrestrial invasive species. Manitowish Waters officials attend WHIP meetings and distribute information on the threats of invasive species.

Within the Town of Manitowish Waters, there are three sites listed in the Lake Superior Northwoods Region of the GWBNT. They are: Northern Highland – American Legion State Forest, North Lakeland Discovery Center, and Powell Marsh State Wildlife Area,

Approximately one-quarter of the Town of Manitowish Waters is owned by the State Department of Natural Resources and managed as the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest (NHALSF). The NHALSF was established in 1925 and much of the ownership in Manitowish Waters has been continuous since the early 1900s. The NHALSF operates under a master plan approved by the Natural Resources Board in October 2005 with significant public input. In addition, the NHALSF is certified as sustainably managed by both the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (certificate #NSF-SFIS-1Y941-S1) and by the Forest Stewardship Council (certificate # SCS-FM/COC-00070N).

The American Bird Conservancy leaflet "Cats, Birds and You" is distributed at the Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce Office and at the North Lakeland Discovery Center Office.

The American Bird Conservancy leaflet "You Can Save Birds From Flying Into Windows!" is distributed at the Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce Office and at the North Lakeland Discovery Center Office.

Common Loons are one of the signature species for our lakes up north. There is a Loonwatch Program at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute to protect this species through monitoring, education and research. Clear Lake within the Town of Manitowish Waters has a Loonwatch volunteer. Through these volunteers and education programs, loons and their young are protected from boaters and other human activities that may have a negative affect on loon reproduction

The Manitowish Waters Christmas Bird Count’s circle center is within the Town of Manitowish Waters. John Bates, local naturalist and writer, has been the coordinator since 1993. There are approximately 20 participants each year, and results are published by the local newspaper article and the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology.

Nine of the International Crane Foundation Crane Count sites are in Manitowish Waters. Zach Wilson, naturalist at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, is coordinator for the region, and 20-25 people participate. This early spring count has been conducted for at least 20 years.

The North Lakeland Discovery Center has participated in the Cornell Project Feeder Watch for the last four years.

The North Lakeland Discovery Center and the North Lakeland Discovery Center Bird Club have organized and funded an annual Bird Festival established since May 2005. The Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce has been a partner every year, providing all the advertising from January to May. This includes ads in local magazines, newspapers, and larger arenas such as AAA Magazine and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Newsletter. They publicize the festival on the Chamber’s and send out mailings to prior festival participants.

A major IMBD program will occur on May 20-21, 2011 as part of the Discovery Center Annual Bird Festival. The program for 2011 is still being developed, but will be similar to that at the 2010 festival

Author Stan Tekelia speaks to a large audience at the Bird Festival.	The Discovery Center hosts an annual bird festival, in partnership with the Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce, and in collaboration with the Discovery Center Bird Club.　 Bird Club presenter and field trip leader, Amber Roth (a Forest Resources Ph.D. student at Michigan Tech), holds up a beautiful male Magnolia Warbler, recently banded and ready for release.