On April 21st, the Alpena Fisheries Resources Office (FRO) and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) hosted an Earth Day event that included a small scale habitat restoration project. 

This project is an extension of the National Public Lands Day event that was started in 2003.  A group of volunteers applied bank stabilization techniques along one hundred and forty feet of a tributary to Crane Creek at the entrance of the new visitor’s center. 

Crane Creek is a low gradient stream which flows through the refuge and empties into Lake Erie through a flooded river mouth.  The creek provides habitat for migratory birds and Lake Erie fish species and is a vital link between the refuge and the lake.  Bank stabilization techniques used in this project will enhance the habitat and reduce sedimentation into the creek without the use of large rock. 

Soft engineering techniques were utilized for the project. Materials utilized for this project included coconut filter fabric, coir logs, and native live plants and seed mixes.  The materials used are completely biodegradable, within a 5 year span, after the vegetation has been established.  More than 1000 plants used for this project were grown over the winter by an avid refuge volunteer and were planted during this event.

Biologist Susan Wells and Refuge Operations Specialist Sara Mason planned this as a Earth Day event to allow people the opportunity to become involved in habitat management of a small portion of the refuge.  Individuals involved with the project responded with positive attitudes towards the restoration project and enjoyed the opportunity for the hands on work.  Many of the almost 40 volunteers also participated in the 2003 and 2004 National Public Lands Day event and plan on returning for the event in future years.  This project provides an opportunity which is not usually offered to the public, and their efforts can be viewed by all when entering the refuge.