The Department of Natural Resources will move forward with a proposal to acquire 33.03 acres of land from the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and to receive an additional 35.21 acres from the organization as a gift, following action taken at Thursday's Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.

DNR Director Rebecca Humphries authorized the agency to acquire the 33.03 acres in Laketon Township for $196,675 from the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and to accept the gift of additional acreage. Both parcels located along the eastern boundary of Muskegon State Park.

Acquisition of the first parcel will complete state ownership of the Lost Lake fen, a significant coastal plain community and one of only 40 known in Michigan. The parcel being received as a gift from the conservancy will be operated as part of the state park with a primary emphasis on natural resource protection and non-motorized outdoor recreation. The parcel also will remain in its natural, generally undeveloped state.

"Acquisition of these parcels will solidify ownership of the Lost Lake fen, and will protect it from degradation," Humphries said. "This also fills in a private inholding within Muskegon State Park, making it more efficient for us to manage."

For more information and maps, please visit the NRC's page on the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/nrc, and click on the June 5 agenda.