Tobico Marsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tobico Marsh |
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Map of the Tobico Marsh
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 Tobico Marsh
Location in Michigan
Tobico Marsh
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bay County, Michigan, USA |
| Nearest city | Bay City |
| Area | 1,652 acres (6.69 km2) |
| Established | 1957 |
| Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Designated: | 1976 |
Tobico Marsh is an amazing natural area located near Bay City, Michigan. It's part of the larger Bay City Recreation Area. This special marsh was named a National Natural Landmark in 1976. This means it's a really important natural place in the United States.
Tobico Marsh earned this title because it's very large and mostly untouched by human development. It also has many different kinds of water plants. With almost 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of wetland woods, wet meadows, and cattail marshlands, it's one of the biggest freshwater wetlands left on the Great Lakes.
Exploring Tobico Marsh Habitats
Tobico Marsh covers about 1,652 acres (6.69 km2) of land and water. It's home to three main types of natural areas, called habitats. Each habitat offers a different environment for plants and animals.
First, there's a large area of open water. This is like a big, shallow lake within the marsh. Second, there's a huge section of marshland. This area is filled with tall grasses and water plants. Finally, there's a mixed hardwood forest. This forest has many different kinds of trees. These three habitats work together to create a rich home for many creatures.
The Story of Tobico Marsh
The land that is now Tobico Marsh was first owned by companies that cut down trees. After the logging business slowed down, the land was sold to a few people. They created the Tobico Hunting and Fishing Club.
In 1956, the last two members of the club, Guy Garber and Frank Andersen, understood how special the area was. They saw its value as a safe place for wildlife. In 1957, Frank Andersen generously gave the land to the State of Michigan. It then became known as the Tobico State Wildlife Refuge.
Later, the State bought more land next to it. This new area became the Tobico Marsh State Game Area. The original wildlife refuge was at its heart. In 1995, the refuge and game area joined with the nearby Bay City State Park. Together, they formed the Bay City State Recreation Area, which protects this wonderful marsh for everyone to enjoy.
