Pismire Island facts for kids
 Pismire Island
Location in Michigan
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Michigan |
| Coordinates | 45°46′06″N 85°26′43″W / 45.76833°N 85.44528°W |
| Area | 10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft) |
| Highest elevation | 581 ft (177.1 m) |
| Administration | |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Charlevoix County |
| Township | St. James Township |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Pismire Island is a very small island in Lake Michigan. It is only about 2.5 acres in size. This island is part of a group of islands called the Beaver Island archipelago. It is also a special protected area for wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps manage it. Pismire Island is located in St. James Township, which is in Charlevoix County, Michigan.
Discover Pismire Island
Pismire Island is found in the northern part of Lake Michigan. It lies about 4 miles northeast of the harbor of St. James. St. James is a town on Beaver Island. The island itself is a tiny triangle shape. It is made mostly of rocks and gravel. These rocks were left behind by huge sheets of ice called glaciers long ago.
A Home for Birds
There are almost no plants that grow permanently on Pismire Island. But it is very important for birds! Many Lake Michigan birds come here to breed. This means they lay their eggs and raise their young on the island. It is a safe place for them to nest.
Protecting Pismire Island
Pismire Island became a protected area in 1943. It is part of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge helps protect important places for wildlife. In 1970, the island was also named a wilderness area. This means it is kept in its natural state. People are not allowed to build or develop on it.
What Does Pismire Mean?
The word "pismire" might sound a bit strange. It is an old word that means ant. The island was given this name because of its very tiny size. Just like an ant is small, Pismire Island is a small piece of land in a big lake.
