Springfield Township Land Acquisition for Poweshiek Skipperling

Description

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Region, intends to issue a Single Source Grant without competition to Springfield Township in Oakland County, Michigan for a project selected by the GLRI Endangered Species Grant Program (GLRI-ES). This specific funding opportunity funds $101,500 toward an approximately $300,000 fee title purchase of land from a willing seller and associated land acquisition costs for a critically important tract of land adjacent to occupied Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek) areas and would be incorporated as part of the Long Lake Fen natural area within the Shiawassee Basin Preserve. The proposed land acquisition currently available for purchase is composed of four parcels and is 55-acres in total. The Shiawassee Basin Preserve is approximately 515 acres and the Long Lake Fen natural area is one of Michiganâ¿¿s largest, most pristine prairie fens. Prairie fens are unique to southern Lower Michigan and support habitat for the critically endangered Poweshiek skipperling. They are a type of wetland fed by surface or groundwater and are usually associated with the headwaters of streams, rivers, and or lakes. In this case, the Davis and Long Lakes and the Shiawassee River flow between them. Prairie fens are one of the most biologically-rich ecosystems, providing habitat and clean water for hundreds of native plants and animals. Specifically, the proposed land acquisition would help to recover the critically endangered Poweshiek skipperling by addressing Goals 1 and 2 of the Poweshiek skipperling Conservation Strategy; "Goal 1 - Stabilize and increase growth rates of current populations through population reinforcement, protection, and habitat management - Goal 2 - Expand current range to improve population redundancy and representation" though population protection and habitat expansion.

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