American Martens Find Unexpected Refuge in Wisconsin's Apostle Islands
by Samuel Garduño Martínez, age 17
The American marten, a state-endangered species, has taken refuge in the Apostle Islands of northern Wisconsin. With a geographic range spanning from Alaska and Canada to the mountains of northern New Mexico, the American marten's presence is a testament to its adaptability in various ecosystems.
The American marten, colloquially known as the "pine" marten, roams as a nocturnal member of the weasel family in the dense forests of northern North America. Preferring the shelter of pine or fir trees, these small, slender mammals exhibit a unique habitat reliance, often crafting their dens inside the hollows of trees. Wisconsin, particularly the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, has become a focal point for the conservation of this species.
Since 1975, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has had various American marten reintroductions in efforts to safeguard the species. Being Wisconsin's only state-endangered mammal, martens faced the threat of extermination in the 1920s, primarily due to unregulated trapping and habitat loss. Despite the reintroduction of martens within the national forest, it’s being determined whether there has been consistency in the mammal population. [Read More]
