MARQUETTE, MI— The City of Marquette is once again closing a portion of the road at Presque Isle Park at night for the blue-spotted salamander.
The small amphibian hibernates underground during winter but emerges and migrates to wetlands when the weather turns warm and rainy.
Peter White Drive from the Moosewood Nature Center to the gate north of the pavilion will close to vehicles daily at 8 p.m. through April-15th or until the migration is complete. Foot traffic is permitted during regular park hours.
The Superior Watershed Partnership and NMU Biology Department have been working with the city for the past few years to protect the salamander. The partnership has reduced the number of deaths from 400 to fewer than ten.
