Celebrate the addition of 8,850 acres to Michigan's 'Big Wild'

Public ceremony/signing set for Friday, July 17

The Pigeon River Country State Forest, east of Vanderbilt in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, is known for many things: its wilderness, rugged character, and being home to the state's elk herd, crystal-clear sinkhole lakes and world-class trout streams.

Now, thanks to a partnership involving federal and state grants and private funding, this forest known as the “Big Wild” is nearly 8,850 acres bigger. In early December, on behalf of the public, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources purchased the Black River Ranch property located in the eastern portion of the Pigeon River Country.

This breathtaking property includes over 14 miles of rivers and streams, including the Black River, the East Branch of the Black River and Stewart Creek. It also includes three entire lakes, including the 150-acre Silver Lake. Bugle Hill, the high point on the property, offers a stunning view of the Black River valley and miles of wilderness and forest to the west.

Ceremony/access

A celebration of this landmark acquisition is planned for Friday, July 17, beginning at 1 p.m., and will include speakers from the DNR, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and Little Traverse Conservancy. A ceremonial declaration signing will cap off the event, which will take place on the shores of Silver Lake on the property. Directions are provided below.

While the property is open for the public to walk in and enjoy, motorized access is currently prohibited until the DNR completes a thorough assessment and public engagement process regarding appropriate access and use of the property.

Motorized access will be permitted directly to the ceremony site only for the duration of the event. Once the event concludes, attendees will need to exit the property. Anyone wishing to explore the property after the event may park along the perimeter of the property and return on foot.

'A rare opportunity'

“The purchase of the Black River Ranch property was a rare opportunity to bring one of the last remaining large, intact, private forested tracts in the Lower Peninsula into public ownership,” said Jeff Stampfly, Michigan’s state forester. “With its incredible forests, lakes, streams, critical wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, this property will be enjoyed for generations of Michiganders to come.”

The Black River Ranch was purchased using over $10.6 million in grant funding from the federal Forest Legacy Program, over $5.3 million in grant funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, and private funding from several partners including the Little Traverse Conservancy, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s Acres for America program.

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, Exploring Michigan's Forest Legacy.

Directions to ceremony

From Gaylord – Take M-32 east approximately 32 miles to M-33 in Atlanta. Turn left to head north on M-33 for about 14 miles to Oxbow Creek Road. Turn left. Take Oxbow Creek Road just over 5 miles until it ends at Black River Road. Turn left on Black River Road and go a half mile and curve to the right onto Clark Bridge Road. Go west on Clark Bridge Road for about 1/3 of a mile to the entrance to Black River Ranch, which will be on the left.

From Indian River – Take M-68 east for nearly 18 miles to S. Black River Road. Turn right onto S. Black River Road and go 10 miles. Continue to the right onto Clark Bridge Road. Go west on Clark Bridge Road for about 1/3 of a mile to the entrance to Black River Ranch, which will be on the left.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

• Black River Ranch: There are over 14 miles of rivers and streams on the property, including the iconic Black River.
• Elk management: The property provides ideal habitat for elk and other critical wildlife.