The area forms the south portion of an increasingly important urban green corridor that includes Birch Island Lake and Park, the County Boys Home, Glen Lake Golf Course and the wildlife habitats edging Shady Oak, Minnetoga and Glen Lakes. The Birch Island Woods Itself hosts a variety of hardwood trees and forest and wetland plants and wildflowers which support song birds, great blue herons, wild turkeys, pheasants, ducks, owls, fox, deer and coyote. The sanctuary is bounded to the east and northeast by a major industrial and office district; to the south and west by residential neighborhoods and to north by Birch Island Park including the Eden Wood Center and the Twin Cities and Western Railroad. The aerial photo below shows the area, looking to the northeast. A larger image is also available.