Michigan Coastline Reclaimed for Nature

A major environmental restoration project is revitalizing Michigan's Lake St. Clair coastline by replacing decades of artificial concrete defenses with natural wetlands and habitats. This $7 million initiative at the historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate is transforming over a mile of hardened waterfront into a functioning ecosystem, restoring 17.5 acres of coastal marsh, nearshore waters, and forested wetland.

The extensive hardening of Lake St. Clair's shoreline, with nearly all of it fortified by concrete and rock, has eliminated crucial shallow areas vital for native aquatic species. These hardened structures create steep drop-offs, hindering fish spawning, breeding, and nursery functions, and impeding movement for species like turtles. The project aims to correct this by introducing nature-based features.

Contractors are removing tons of concrete to install features like "lunkers" (wooden fish shelters), underwater logs for habitat, and gentle slopes for amphibian and turtle access. The restoration also includes specialized habitats, such as isolated vernal pools on Bird Island to protect frog eggs and tadpoles, and ledgestone formations to attract mudpuppies, which are essential for the life cycle of an endangered salamander mussel.

This project aligns with the historic vision of the estate's designer, Jens Jensen, who favored native plants and natural landforms. The estate will replace 136 removed trees with 290 native species and propagate cloned saplings from 100-year-old willow trees. Construction is expected to conclude in 2027, with some public boardwalks already accessible, offering educational opportunities about natural habitats.