The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced on April 2 that it has acquired a working forest conservation easement covering 73,000 acres in the Michigamme Highlands area of the Upper Peninsula. The land includes forests, lakes, streams, swamps inhabited by moose, and granite outcroppings.
This acquisition is significant because it protects what is described as some of the most important forest land in the Great Lakes region. The area will now be available for residents to enjoy permanently.
According to the department, funding for this project came entirely from grants and donations. The conservation easement secures public access rights while also supporting Michigan’s forest products industry.
The Michigamme Highlands are located deep within the Huron Mountains and are known for their rugged landscape and diverse wildlife. With this acquisition, state officials say they aim to balance public recreation with sustainable forestry practices.
Further details about this project can be found in the Showcasing the DNR story: Protecting the wildest of Michigan’s wild places.
