The North Woods Native Plant Society is hosting a hike to the Pilgrim River in Houghton County on Saturday, June 26.  The public is invited to join us on a hike through a 1360-acre forest parcel proposed for protection as part of the Pilgrim River Watershed Project.   Meet at 9:30 AM eastern time, on Boundary Road (five miles south of Houghton), one-half mile east of the intersection with Superior Road.

Follow up:

The Pilgrim River Watershed Project began in 2006, and is being led by the Keweenaw Land Trust, Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited, willing private landowners, and other organizations and individuals.  The goal of the project is to obtain a conservation easement for two nearby parcels along the Pilgrim River, guaranteeing they will forever be undeveloped and managed  for sustainable forestry, watershed protection, and public recreation.  For more information, visit www.pilgrimriverwatershed.org.

The hike will be led by U.P. botanist Ian Shackleford.  Bring sturdy footwear, rain gear, insect repellent or headnet, binoculars, field guides, daypack, water, snack, and a lunch.   For more information, call Ian at 906-932-3779.  Maps are available at www.northwoodalliance.org/pilgrim_river.htm.

To find the meeting location from Houghton, go south on Superior Road through Dodgeville, or take M26 south to Green Acre Road.  From the intersection of Superior Road and Green Acre Road, travel south another 2.5 miles on Superior Road to the intersection with Boundary Road.  Go east on Boundary Road 0.5 mile and park.

From the south, go north on Highway M26 as if you were going to Houghton.  In the town of Painsedale, turn east on Kersea Street, go two blocks, then turn right on Goodel Road.  Follow Goodel Road about three miles downhill until it meets P67 (Onkalos Corner Road).  Cross that road and continue northeast on Superior Road, following it 1.8 mile to the intersection with Boundary Road.  Go east on Boundary Road 0.5 mile and park.

The North Woods Native Plant Society is a group of professional and amateur botanists interested in learning about and preserving the native plants and ecosystems of the western U.P. and northern WI.  We plan free field trips to special places every summer.  The trips are open to folks at all levels of botanical knowledge.