PARADISE, Mich. (WWJ) – Officials at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are asking visitors to stop stacking rocks in the park, as it can be harmful to the environment.
While hikers and visitors to the park seem to think they’re just making “art,” by stacking rocks, officials say it’s actually harmful to wildlife.
A Facebook post on Tuesday shows two yellow signs in the park that say “Please don’t stack rocks!”
“Thank you for being considerate of all wildlife, big or small,” the Facebook post says. One sign explains that dragonflies begin their lives underwater and need to cling to the rocks until they’re adults. The other says “young fish need places to hide.”
Park officials have called for people to stop rock stacking before, according to MLive.
Officials say the bottom of the Tahquamenon River is filled with sandstone rocks that are enticing to visitors to stack, but a video published by the park in 2018 explains how it can kill insects like stoneflies, which are a big food source for fish in the river.
Some Facebook users commented on Tuesday’s post, saying the stacks weren’t just art – they’re cairns, which help mark hiking trails and help people find their way.
Related
