Cielo Nature Sanctuary

Cielo Nature Sanctuary PronEng|ˈtʃeɪloʊ "chay-low") is a convert|100|acre|km2|sing=on privately managed wildlife sanctuary located in Mecosta County, Michigan near the City of Big Rapids. The objective of the sanctuary is to enhance the habitat of the sanctuary for the benefit of the fish and wildlife which live within or migrate through the sanctuary.

The Land

The terrain at Cielo is incredibly diverse. From non-tidal marsh to mature northern hardwoods, the land is fertile and nurtures a healthy vibrant ecosystem. The landscape is rolling in elevation and no less than 13 soil types are found throughout. Rocky deposits are found throughout Cielo, a result of Michigan's last glacial retreat about 14,000 years ago. It is the sanctuary’s diversity of habitat that is the foundation upon which Cielo's wildlife management plan has found success.The mineral and oil composition of Cielo is largely unknown although areas of Mecosta County are know to have abundant reserves of crude oil. [http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4111_4231-14421--,00.html] Michigan Department of Environmental Quality]

The Water

Cielo's water resources are a key ingredient to its unique ecosystem. substrate.

Nehmer lake is also accessible from Cielo. It is approximately convert|8|acre|m2 in size, and although shallower than Hunt lake, it has a littoral zone of flooded timber along its margins. The maximum depth is unknown.

The Flora

The flora found at Cielo has yet to be comprehensively inventoried, as the project would be a colossal undertaking. Tree types of obvious notation include deciduous species such as Pin Oak, White Oak, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Aspen, Ash, Birch, Cherry, Apple, Sassafras, American Hornbeam, Ironwood, and Walnut trees. Coniferous species include Jack Pine, Red Pine, Eastern White Pine, Eastern Hemlock, Arborvitae, Scots Pine, and Blue Spruce.

Selective harvest of aspen was done in 2003 to improve habitat for Ruffed Grouse and other upland birds such as the Wild Turkey. Low impact selective harvest proved to be a successful project.

In 2006, several stands of conifers were planted for future economic timber value and also to provide dense cover for several wildlife species. Approximately 750 Red Pines were planted in a two acre stand primarily for future economic timber value and 500 Jack Pine were planted in a fallow area with poor soil types suitable for Jack Pine but not conducive to forage plants to serve as a future area of dense cover for wildlife.

is abundant in many areas of the sanctuary.

Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive) was planted in the 1950s under the recommendation of the then Michigan Department of Conservation (now known as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources) as the shrub was believed to be very beneficial to wildlife. It is now know to be invasive and an convert|8|acre|m2|sing=on area was cut back in 2006 and converted to a hayland.

Wildflowers are found in every season except winter. Cardinal flower, Indian Paintbrush, Touch-me-not, Multiflora Rose and Trout lily serve only as examples.

Aquatic flora is abundant and diverse. Wetland species such as narrow leaf cattails, horsetail, and giant reed are abundant. The Hunt Marsh is covered with duckweed for several months in the summer where patches of white water lilly can also be found. Poison Sumac is common in Hunt Marsh, discovered by accident and never to be mistaken again by Cielo's manager. Winterberry (also known as Michigan Holly) is a colorful addition to Hunt Marsh in the winter when the marsh's greenery subsides in late fall. It also provides an abundant forage base for many wild birds.

The Fauna

The fauna found at Cielo is as diverse as its flora. It is the abundance of appropriate habitat which makes it possible to view wildlife within the sanctuary. On any given day, one may see Whitetail Deer, Fox, Bobcat, In 2007, the Michigan Department of Naural Resources has extended the range for Bear hunting to include Mecosta County [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10363_10856_10890-25976--,00.html] .

The abundance of wildlife is spectacular at Cielo. It is the waterfowl habitat that makes Cielo so unique. In autumn, when waterfowl are migrating, Cielo is home to many species of waterfowl. Most abundant are Wood Duck, Mallards, Canada Geese, and Teal. Loons also take up residence on Hunt Lake and their presence is known by their unique 'cry' at twilight, although the birds prefer Townline Lake (located convert|600|ft|m|abbr=on to the East of Cielo) due to its size.

In 2006 one Wood Duck nesting box was installed at Cielo and a resident hen successfully hatched two ducklings while taking up residence. In 2007, two additional nesting boxes were installed to help provide optimal nesting habitat. In October 2007 a check was made on one of the nexting boxes installed in the spring and there was no sign of nesting activity. It is speculated that the abundance of other natural nesting habitat precluded it from use.

Hunt Marsh is also home to the Great Blue Heron, the largest in the heron family with a wing span of seven feet. Kingfisher are observed on a frequent basis as they ambush fish, a staple in their diet.

Hunt Marsh would not exist without the activity of the world's second largest rodent: the Beaver. Beaver remain very active in the marsh and any novice can identify their trademark 'stump' left behind. Muskrat are also abundant and seen traveling throughout the lakes, ponds, marsh and even Enzo Creek.

The Northern River Otter is also prevalent on Hunt Lake and Hunt Marsh. Able to swim for nearly a mile underwater when disturbed, they often seem to disappear without a trace. When observed, they are without question one of the most amazing creatures to observe as they are often socially playful with one another. Of special note is the River Otter's acute sensitivity to any form of environmental pollution, as it generally vacates any area with tainted water quality very quickly. Their existence at Cielo is a testament to the water quality within the Nature Sanctuary.

Cielo is home to the Blanding's Turtle, which is threatened and even endangered within its range. These turtles do not reach sexual maturity until they are 18-20 years old and may live to be as old as 70 years old! The Common Snapping Turtle can be found in the spring nesting in sandy areas of the preserve. Rarely do they pose a threat if encountered in water, but on land they can be very aggressive if disturbed.

Hunt Lake harbors a vibrant fishery. The Northern Pike is at the top of the food chain, and considering it is such a small body of water, Hunt's pike are in balance with the forage available in the lake. Most are in the 3–5 year class, but much older fish are also found. Largemouth Bass are also part of the food pyramid, but to a much lesser extent. Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Emerald shiner make up the bulk of the forage base. A complete fishery survey had not yet been completed as of 2007. Strangely, a four year old Muskellunge was identified in Hunt Lake in 2006 and it unclear if this fish was the sole representative of its species or if a small reproductive population exists.

Nehmer Lake is similar in resources as Hunt Lake. Hybrid Sunfish have been stocked on several occasions, however, their survival in abundance has been curtailed due to predation by Northern Pike.

In an April 2007 spring waterfowl survey, an American Bald Eagle was observed soaring low over Hunt Lake. Bald Eagles often hunt over the Muskegon River which is located approximately convert|1|mi|km|sing=on West of Cielo. Evidence of nesting activity at Cielo has not been confirmed.

In this same survey, several migratory Bufflehead were viewed waddling in a pool below one of Hunt Marsh's several beaver dams. Bufflehead are arguably one of the most colorful species of waterfowl which pass through Cielo each spring and fall. In route from the bird's Southern winter range to Canadian's Boreal Forest or Taiga to nest, they are vulnerable to predation by none other than the Bald Eagle.

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