Celebrate protection of magnificent Michigamme Highlands

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 two 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.

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

• Michigamme Highlands: The property extends over 73,000 acres and thanks to grant funding, will now be protected and available for Michiganders to enjoy for generations. 
• Wildlife habitat: Michigamme Highlands provides habitat for a variety of Michigan wildlife, including moose.
• Whitetail deer: The Michigamme Highlands project includes the protection of 4,800 acres of deer wintering complex, which is critical for the survival of deer during the harsh UP winters.