Bay Mills Indian Community obtained funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the US Forest Service to implement the adaptation actions identified for lowland hardwoods stands on Sugar Island. Ash mapping was completed on Sugar Island in 2018 by seasonal technicians and identified 38.2 hectares where ash trees killed by EAB had been the dominant tree. In addition to mapping the perimeter of each stand, notes were taken on stand density, soil moisture, and any ash regeneration. In spring 2019, 500 sapling hackberry were planted (attached map). Between 15 and 50 saplings were planted at 18 sites within an ash stand which had been identified as “dry”. Planting continued in June 2020, and the list of supplemental species was expanded to include red maple, river birch, swamp white oak, basswood, sycamore, and chokecherry. These species were selected to satisfy wildlife values, cultural values, and potential to tolerate future climate conditions. Planting locations were dispersed across the forested wetland areas, as staff had to identify appropriate microsites including hummocks, vehicle tracks, canopy gaps, and the edges of existing forests. As of August 2020, seedlings planted in 2019 and June 2020 are growing well.
Bay Mills staff will also be investigating options for gathering baseline data on wildlife use of the property and sap production.