Lake Superior’s Largest Private Island Will Soon be Protected

Batchewana Island, Lake Superior’s largest privately owned island is on the verge of being protected by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), who has recently reached a purchase agreement with the current owners and is raising funds to finalize the sale.

Boasting nearly 17 miles of pristine shoreline, Batchewana Island is home to intact old-growth forests, undisturbed wetlands and important species, including gray wolf, black bear, moose and more than 30 provincially significant bird species. Many fish, including endangered lake sturgeon, spawn in the shallows offshore. Once under its ownership, NCC will protect the island from future development.

“This is our best and possibly last chance to see this incredible island protected for the future,” says — Kaitlin Richardson, NCC program director. “The impact of conserving Lake Superior’s largest privately owned island cannot be understated. The communities of plants and animals that rely on Batchewana Island are unique and precious. I can’t wait for the day when we can say they get to stay that way forever.”

Visit natureconservancy.ca/batchewana for more information.