DNR seeks public comment on natural resource plan for Hartwick Pines State Park

Public invited to attend March 24 meeting, offer input via online survey that closes April 15

Those interested in long-term natural resource management planning for Hartwick Pines State Park in Crawford County are invited to learn about a new Michigan Department of Natural Resources stewardship plan for the park, ask questions and provide feedback.

Visitors, community members and others interested in learning about the plan to manage the natural resources found within this state park have these opportunities to get involved and offer input:

• In-person and virtual meeting: 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, 104 Conservation Drive in Roscommon. To join virtually, please email Sara Claybaugh to receive the meeting link.
• Online public comment: An online public survey is available through Wednesday, April 15. Additionally, the March 24 meeting will be recorded and posted online that week.

Links to the draft plan, public survey, meeting information and other resources are available on the project website, which may be accessed at Michigan.gov/HartwickPines. A final plan is expected to be in place by this summer. 

“This plan supports the park’s general management plan, which was completed last year and serves as a long-term roadmap for the protection, restoration and sustainable management of the park’s natural resources,” said Steven Woods, northern Lower Peninsula ecologist for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.

The DNR uses natural resource stewardship plans as long-range planning tools for resource protection, management and ecological restoration.

Protecting the park's natural character 

Hartwick Pines State Park, located near Grayling, is known for its 49 acres of majestic, old-growth forest – among the last remaining in the state.

One of the largest state parks in the Lower Peninsula, Hartwick Pines features rolling hills overlooking the valley of the East Branch of the AuSable River, a handful of spring-fed lakes and unique natural communities.

“The famed old-growth stand is often used to help narrate Michigan’s logging history, which has led many people to the notion that much of Hartwick Pines State Park once was similar old-growth – this is not, however, the case, as evidenced by geology, soils and current vegetation,” Woods said.

More than 6,000 acres of the park is fire-dependent jack pine forest, red pine forest, oak-pine forest – known as dry-mesic northern forest – pine barrens and oak-pine barrens.

“The Hartwick Pines Natural Resource Stewardship Plan addresses protection, management and ecological restoration of 13 different natural community types that are Hartwick Pines' natural heritage, including six that are fire dependent,” Woods said. “The plan includes the prevention and control of invasive species and the use of prescribed fire for the ecological restoration of those fire-dependent habitats. It should be noted, however, that no prescribed fire is planned for the old-growth stand.”

Plan details

The draft Hartwick Pines Natural Resource Stewardship Plan supports the implementation of the park's general management plan completed in 2025.

Most of Hartwick Pines’ 9,964 acres are still recovering from historic logging followed by wildfires in the late 19thand early 20thcenturies.

This natural resource stewardship plan will guide the protection, management and ecological restoration of Hartwick Pines' natural lands from unnatural planted pine plantations to high-quality natural areas.

The park faces challenges from invasive species, including beech bark disease and the threat of hemlock woolly adelgid. Six of the park’s natural communities are fire dependent and require periodic fire for ecological health. After a century without fire, the continued existence of these fire-dependent habitats and the native plants and animals they support are threatened.

“Collectively, the strategies contained within this natural resource stewardship plan were designed to sustain the park's natural communities, features and aesthetics while guiding its recovery," Woods said.

Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

• Hartwick Pines: Visitors, community members and others interested in learning about the planned methods for managing the natural resources found within Hartwick Pines State Park in Crawford County are invited to attend a March 24 public meeting that's available both in person and virtually. A public survey also is open through April 15.
• Forest: The new Hartwick Pines Natural Resource Stewardship Plan will guide the protection, management and ecological restoration of Hartwick Pines' natural lands from unnatural planted pine plantations to high-quality natural areas. 
• Pond: A drone photo of the Hartwick Pines State Park forest area shows a rich conifer swamp surrounding a pothole lake that reflects the clouds and blue sky above.