Description
A remarkable landscape feature of the Border Country—the Rove Slate Hills—are home to a unique assemblage of arctic and alpine plants. The Cliffs preserve, named for its prominent Rove Slate formation perched over South Fowl Lake where it empties into the Pigeon River, includes 100 acres and a mile of frontage on both the river and the lake. The preserve joins the border with Ontario across from one of the famed Voyageur portage trails. The preserve offers spectacular views of South Fowl Lake, the Pigeon River valley, and “mountains” of the border country. The Border Route Hiking Trail crosses the property.
Location
Due north of Hovland, Minnesota, along the Minnesota/Ontario border where the Pigeon River leaves South Fowl Lake.
Why TNC Selected This Site
The Nature Conservancy’s Great Lakes Ecoregional plan identified the Pigeon River watershed as an important contributor to the natural diversity unique to the Great Lakes. As one of the few major tributaries to Lake Superior without any commercial or industrial development, the Pigeon holds promise for conserving the region’s native river ecosystems. Lakeshore, especially that which offers unparalleled views such as the Pigeon River Cliffs property, is critically threatened by development of large second homes.
What TNC Has Done/Is Doing
The Nature Conservancy secured ownership of the property at the end of 2002. Collaborative management planning for the Pigeon River Watershed is underway with several partners, including the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, and the National Park Service. In 2002, TNC acquired 750 acres on the Ontario side of the river near Middle Falls. This property encompasses essentially the last unprotected stretch on the Canadian side of the river from Quetico Provincial Park to Lake Superior. TNC is working with Ontario Parks to include this property in Pigeon River Provincial Park.
