Nature & Science

Where is This?

The Memorial is built at the isthmus of South Bass Island. The landscape was a heavily vegitated wetlands. It was recreated to represent the open vision found in the winning design for the Memorial and its Doric style. This historic sturcture reaches from within the earth and stands like a beacon watching over the archeoapelego, Lake Erie and the habits.

The Memorial landscape harbors many native annual and perennials, from trees to shrubs, manicured lawns, and flower gardens. This tidy environment invites and welcomes migrating and resident birds, pollinators from bumblebees to butterflies, and a few reptiles, and mammals.

 

Animals

The most iconic animal for the island and the surround park grounds is the Lake Erie watersnake. Once listed as a threatened subspecies, it now thrives. It varies in color and can be up to three feet long.

The most popular island animal attraction are the birds. In May and September migrating songbirds introduce new voices and color to the air. Those that linger build nests or take over bird boxes at the houses provide at the local preserves.

Eagles, white pelicans, tundra swans, great blue herons, and turkey vultures are some of the big winged fliers that are seen across the water and land. They exude awe when seen nearly eye to eye from the observation deck.

But the highest quantity of island animals are the invertebrates. They live in water, land, air, and for some, depending on their development stage, may live in more than one habitat. They are essential to thriving healthy ecosystems.

The animal phylum Arthropoda (meaning jointed leg) hosts over 75% of the world’s known animals. At Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial this includes spiders, butterflies and moths, beetles, dragonflies, flies, grasshoppers, and ants.

 

Across the seasons, flowers in the gardens and those growing wild in the lawns, attract a variety of pollinators.

NPS 2023 Photo/Christina Fijal

Plants

The Memorial is built at the isthmus of South Bass Island. The landscape was a heavily vegitated wetlands. It was recreated to represent the open vision found in the winning design for the Memorial and its Doric style. This historic sturcture reaches from within the earth and stands like a beacon watching over the archeoapelego, Lake Erie and the habits.

The Memorial landscape harbors many native annual and perennials, from trees to shrubs, manicured lawns, and flower gardens. This tidy environment invites and welcomes migrating and resident birds, pollinators from bumblebees to butterflies, and a few reptiles, and mammals.

 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Funding supports programs at ten Great Lakes national parks. Programs are designed to increase knowledge around the Great Lakes and clarify values to make our youth the next generation of conservation thinkers, stewards, and leaders that care about the health and vibrancy of the Great Lakes. Park rangers utiliz learning techniques allowing youth engagement through action, experience, discovery, exploration, and focused reflection.

To understand the importance of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative watch the videos regarding some of the environmental issues the island endures. And when you visit the island, discover what activities are scheduled to explore to bring a greater understanding of the Great Lakes.