January 6, 2005

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and representatives of The Nature Conservancy in Michigan announced today that a legally binding purchase and sale agreement had been reached with The Forestland Group, LLC, to protect more than 271,000 acres through a working forest easement on 248,000 acres and acquisition of 23,338 acres in the Upper Peninsula.

Known as the Northern Great Lakes Forest Project, the parcels stretch over eight counties—from Chippewa to Ontonagon—and link together more than 2.5 million acres of protected federal, state and natural areas across the UP. The Forestland Group was the successful bidder on the land in a 2002 auction conducted by its former owner, the Kamehameha Schools of Hawaii.

> Press Release
> The Nature Conservancy - Michigan Chapter

January 6, 2005 Lansing, MI