A Regional Approach to Controlling the Spread of Invasive Phragmites

Invasive species can cause widespread damage to ecosystems, reducing overall health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. That’s why a collaborative team called the Lakeshore Invasive Species Management Area (LISMA) has been working on invasive Phragmites control efforts for over 10 years throughout northeast Wisconsin. Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP), Glacierland Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D), Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance, and Stantec Consulting Services Inc. are championing LISMA to protect and enhance the resiliency of the Great Lakes region through an innovative, grassroots approach.

Project Update — Carstens Lake Water Quality Improvement Project

The Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP), Stantec, and the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (UWSP) are collaborating to improve water quality in Carstens Lake and Lake Michigan. A study identified high phosphorus levels in Carstens Lake, leading to the construction of an offline sedimentation basin and the use of UWSP's sorption technology to reduce contamination. The project aims to protect the lakes, create wildlife habitat, and diversify land use. Construction is set to begin in fall 2023 with two years of monitoring. LNRP also plans to enhance a degraded wetland area for additional water quality benefits and habitat value.

Project Update — LNRP and Stantec Work Together on Projects in the Lakeshore Basin

LNRP and Stantec Consulting Services have created project summaries showcasing collaborative initiatives in the Lakeshore Basin. The summaries cover projects funded by the US Forest Service and the Wildlife Conservation Society's Climate Adaptation Fund, a regional Collaborative Phragmites Control Program, and the Amsterdam Dunes Preservation Area Habitat Restoration project. These projects aim to enhance coastal ecosystems, control invasive species, and protect critical habitats for migratory birds in the Lakeshore Basin.

Project summaries were developed to showcase several collaborative projects in the Lakeshore Basin.