Michigan’s nearly 4 million acres of state forest land has something for everyone and to ensure the long-term, sustainable management and health of the state forest, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has drafted a new State Forest Management Plan to serve as a guide for the next 10 years. This draft plan was collaboratively developed by DNR forestry, wildlife, fisheries and recreation planning staff.
“This 10-year plan helps instill confidence that our short-term management goals are helping to achieve long-term sustainability of both forest products and wildlife habitat,” said Dan Heckman, planning and modeling specialist with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “This is also a climate-smart plan, with objectives and actions that will further guide effective management of the state forest in a changing climate.”
Public webinar, meetings
The DNR will host a webinar at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, to release the plan, provide an overview and answer initial questions. Register for the webinar.
The webinar and a series of in-person, informational meetings are your opportunity to review and weigh in on the draft plan. It will be available on the DNR’s state forest planning webpage beginning Sept. 5, and you can email feedback to ForestPlanComments@Michigan.gov through Oct. 4.
The public meetings will run 1 to 4 p.m. Dates and locations are:
- Monday, Sept. 9: Rose Lake State Wildlife Area headquarters building, 8562 E. Stoll Road, East Lansing.
- Tuesday, Sept. 10: Kirtland Community College, 4800 W. 4 Mile Road, Grayling.
- Thursday, Sept. 12: Marquette Charter Township Hall, 1000 Commerce Drive, Marquette.
The state forest was established in 1903 by the Michigan Forestry Commission. A significant amount of the state was deforested in the late 1800s and early 1900s. To stop a continuous cycle of land reverting to the state due to nonpayment of taxes, then being auctioned and sold only to revert again, the Department of Conservation (the forerunner of the DNR) decided in the 1930s to keep the land and manage it as part of a new state forest that would benefit the public, industry and natural resources.
Since that time, through thousands of acres of land purchases and more tax reversion, the state forest has grown to nearly 4 million acres. The management of Michigan’s state forest has evolved over time as well.
“From early, small-scale plans on paper to more complex, multiuse plans developed with forestry modeling software that ensures sustainable management, we’ve made great strides in managing Michigan’s state forest,” Heckman said. “With broad public review and thoughtful input to ensure a comprehensive State Forest Management Plan, we will continue that progress into the next 10 years and beyond.”
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