The multi-partner Lightfoot Bay Cooperative Coastal Wetlands project was developed to protect Great Lakes coastal wetland and shoreline habitats that contribute to the overall health of Huron Bay and its diverse fishery. This project aims to permanently protect much of a rare and unique coastal wetland complex including over 6,500' of shoreline within the Lightfoot Bay wetlands and embayment and 2,500' of Lake Superior barrier beach shoreline
on Huron Bay, Baraga County, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Over 70% of the project area is in nationally declining wetland habitat types.

The Point Abbaye Peninsula parallels the Keweenaw Peninsula and forms Huron Bay, a deep, narrow isolated harbor of Lake Superior. Huron Bay is known for beautiful scenery and sport/commercial fishing. A unique and diverse coastal wetland complex along the south shore of Huron Bay is the project focus. The Lightfoot Bay wetland, near-shore and upland communities play a critical role in maintaining the ecological integrity of greater Huron Bay, providing habitat for migrating waterfowl, breeding birds, native plants, threatened and endangered species, and other aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Huron Bay supports a diverse assemblage of cold and warm water fish species considered rare in Lake Superior, including coaster brook trout and lake sturgeon populations, both USFWS conservation priority species. Placed in the larger landscape, the ancient Huron Mountains form the backdrop for a watershed with some prized rivers in the region: the Huron, Falls, Slate, Silver, and Ravine.

The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) was approached to work with landowners interested in balancing protection of their unique coastal property with financial needs as they considered a land sale with intense pressure from competing interests. All lands in the project area are zoned resort-residential. With a large, natural embayment, this area has significant commercial and residential development potential. The Keweenaw region is well publicized as a desirable location to live and recreate. Development pressure for new resorts and vacation homes, particularly on shoreline, is increasing dramatically.

KLT took action to protect this rare and imperiled resource by developing a partnership to leverage resources and by securing an Option Agreement on two parcels most at risk with ~2,500' of developable shoreline. In January, 2007, the partnership was awarded a National Coastal Wetlands Conservation (NCWC) grant, one of only 25 projects funded in the country. The Great Lakes Fishery Trust joined the partnership in February 2007, by approving a request for $150,000 in matching funds to leverage the NCWC funding. The Michigan Nature Association (MNA) offered the market value of their Lightfoot Bay Sanctuary as land match to the project. The Lightfoot Bay Coastal Wetlands Preserve was established by KLT in August, 2007.

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