Humbug Marsh. 20/01/10; Michigan; 188 ha; 42p06'N 083p11'W. This Ramsar Site includes a freshwater lagoon and seasonal marshes which represent the last stretch of natural shoreline on the U.S. mainland connecting the lower and upper Great Lakes. Humbug Marsh provides habitat for a number of species such as the Michigan Endangered Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and is considered essentialfor the preservation of migrating raptor species such as the Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) and other migrating waterfowl and passerines that stop over in the Ramsar Site. Moreover, its lagoon serves as spawning and nursery habitat for many fish species. Humbug Marsh's international importance has been recognized through its inclusion in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (IWR), North America's only IWR as well as through its designation as part of an Important Bird Area (IBA), its recognition as one of 34 Waterfowl Habitat Areas of Major Concern in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan; and its designation as part of an American Heritage River by U.S. Presidential Order. In 2004, the Site was protected due to developers' attempts to negatively impact the wetland. Despite this protection, factors such as invasive species like Phragmites australis, sedimentation, and pollutants still threaten the site. Visitors from all over southeast Michigan, northwest Ohio, and southern Ontario come to Humbug Marsh for fishing, hunting, and paddling; other activities include environmental education for urban and rural schools and scientific monitoring. The management of this Ramsar Site is included in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan and in an Environmental Assessment developed in 2005, which is currently being implemented. Ramsar Site No. 1928. Most recent information: 2010.