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Endangered Birds Thrive on Man-Made Islands
21 Oct
Summary
- Shorebirds return to Green Bay after 70 years.
- Man-made islands built from dredged sediment provide habitat.
- Piping plover population recovering, nearing recovery goals.
The Great Lakes piping plover, once on the brink of extinction, has found a new home on man-made islands in Green Bay. Following a more than 70-year absence, nesting pairs began returning in 2016.
The Cat Islands in Lower Green Bay, which vanished in the mid-1970s, are being rebuilt by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This $18.7 million project uses clean sediment dredged from shipping channels to gradually create new islands, restoring vital habitat.
Piping plovers nest on open, sandy areas, and the freshly deposited dredge material before vegetation takes hold perfectly mimics this environment. Green Bay now hosts about four nesting pairs annually, contributing to a record high of 85 pairs across the Great Lakes in 2025.
While the species is still working towards federal recovery goals, this resurgence on the restored Cat Islands signifies significant progress. The birds' willingness to nest on the developing habitat highlights the project's success in providing crucial nesting grounds for this endangered species.
