Aug. 11, 2026
Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256

The above title, photo, date, and contact person came to me via a Michigan DNR newsletter I’m subscribed to. Reading the title, my heart was hopeful. As I began to read just how the land was going to be “protected,” my critical thinking cap started buzzing. Here’s the article, minus photos:

*********************************************************************************************************

Among the wildest of Michigan’s wild places, the rugged Michigamme Highlands has some of the most important natural geography in the Great Lakes region. Made up of vast forests, sparkling lakes, winding trout streams and granite outcroppings, the landscape is truly spectacular.

Now, thanks entirely to grant funding, over 73,000 acres of this beautiful landscape has been protected and is available for everyone to enjoy. At the end of March, on behalf of the public, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources acquired a conservation easement on this land located in Baraga, Iron and Marquette counties.

This conservation easement includes protection of the peak of Mt. Arvon (Michigan’s highest natural elevation), 37 miles of winding rivers, 220 miles of perennial streams, 96 lakes and ponds, over 13,600 acres of wetlands, 4,800 acres of deer wintering complex, nearly 2 miles of the Yellow Dog River and habitat for moose, fisher, black bear, coaster brook trout, rainbow trout and Coho salmon.

The easement also provides public nonmotorized recreational access across the entire property, as well as motorized access on over 77 miles of roads and trails for snowmobiling and 70 miles for off-road vehicle use. The area also features 7 miles of nonmotorized trails and 3 miles of equestrian trails.

Built into the conservation easement are permanent requirements to ensure long-term sustainable forest management and economic benefits for the area.

Big win for Michigan’

A celebration of this momentous accomplishment is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Marquette and will include speakers from the DNR, The Lyme Timber Company, U.S. Forest Service, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. A ceremonial declaration signing will cap off the event, which is open to the public and takes place at the Presque Isle Park Pavilion, 3 Peter White Drive in Marquette.

“This is an outstanding example of landscape-level conservation with the added benefit of securing public recreational access at the same time,” said Jeff Stampfly, Michigan’s state forester. “When we can protect critical deer wintering complexes, wildlife and fisheries habitat and provide public recreation all while securing sustainable forest management that will help to support the forest products industry and local economies, it’s a big win for Michigan.”

The Michigamme Highlands conservation easement was purchased using over $15 million in grant funding from the federal Forest Legacy Program, over $4.2 million in grant funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and a $1 million grant award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which included $550,000 from Walmart’s Acres for America program and $450,000 from the Life Time Foundation. Read the full story of how the Michigamme Highlands conservation easement was established in this Showcasing the DNR story.

Michigan has protected more than 238,000 acres of forest land through the Forest Legacy Program. Learn more about Michigan’s Forest Legacy projects through the new interactive story map.

*****************************************************************************************************

I have bolded words in the above press release and list them below:

—is available for everyone to enjoy
–nonmotorized recreational access
–motorized access on over 77 miles of roads and trails for snowmobiling and 70 miles for off-road vehicle use
—7 miles of nonmotorized trails and 3 miles of equestrian trails.
—Built into the conservation easement are permanent requirements to ensure long-term sustainable forest management and economic benefits for the area.
—The Lyme Timber Company
—securing sustainable forest management that will help to support the forest products industry and local economies

***********************************************************************************
When I think of protected, I don’t think of making it open for everyone but the wildlife to enjoy. Imagine nonmotorized mountain bikes tearing into fragile areas, ORVs, snowmobiles, and other motorized vehicles roaring through all year, and turning the beauty of this place over to a timber company to “manage.” They toss in making it good for the “forest products industry,” whatever the hell that means.

Why has the meaning of protection for a fragile wilderness that supports so much flora and fauna that find it increasingly difficult to find peace been flipped over to oh it is a new and wondrous playground for humans that now allows a timber company to come in and exploit it??

I’ve seen the incidents of opening up public land to exploitation more and more in Michigan. Who is left to genuinely protect it if the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is in cahoots with those who will only see dollar signs or fun weekends tearing up a place that should be left alone by humans?