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ALPENA -- The Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board discussed plans for both Island Park restoration and for duck nesting areas, along with business items, at their recent meeting.
Logan Hawley of Huron Pines presented a three-year timeline for Island Park to remove invasive species there and replant with native species. Plans for the first year include initial evaluation of vegetation in the dunes and prairie areas, starting removal of Asiatic honeysuckle and glossy buckthorn, and collecting native seed.
Lucas Baker of the Alpena chapter of Delta Waterfowl presented plans to place 10 "hen mallard nesting structures" in Lake Besser and the Wildlife Sanctuary. The goal is to increase duck populations by providing safe nesting areas. Following discussion, the board approved the plan and Kevin Fisher, Alpena's parks coordinator/harbormaster who was a guest at the meeting, will draw up a document with requirements such as Delta monitoring, cleaning and maintaining the duck nesting structures.
Board members also approved the 2024 budget and annual report to be given to the Alpena Municipal Council, and heard a maintenance report from Terry Gougeon about removing trees that have fallen over the trails, replacing ties on the fence around the habitat restoration area, and cleaning bird houses.
The outline of the updated Management Plan presented by Chair Lisa Kruse was received and commended as an excellent starting point.