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DNR News

Aug. 23, 2024
Contact: Dan Heckman

Review the DNR’s draft State Forest Management Plan and provide input in September

A forest scene flanked by closeup tree trunks.

Michigan’s nearly 4 million acres of state forest land has something for everyone. Whether you enjoy watching elk, moose or bear, work in the forest products industry, hike or bike on thousands of miles of trails, fish coldwater trout streams or head to the woods to hunt deer or grouse, the management of these forests has an impact on you.

To ensure the long-term, sustainable management and health of the state forest – which benefits everyone – the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has drafted a new State Forest Management Plan to serve as a guide for the next 10 years. This draft plan was collaboratively developed by DNR forestry, wildlife, fisheries and recreation planning staff.

“This 10-year plan helps instill confidence that our short-term management goals are helping to achieve long-term sustainability of both forest products and wildlife habitat,” said Dan Heckman, planning and modeling specialist with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “This is also a climate-smart plan, with objectives and actions that will further guide effective management of the state forest in a changing climate.”

Public webinar, meetings

The DNR will host a webinar at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, to release the plan, provide an overview and answer initial questions. Register for the webinar.

The webinar and a series of in-person, informational meetings are your opportunity to review and weigh in on the draft plan. It will be available on the DNR’s state forest planning webpage beginning Sept. 5, and you can email feedback to [email protected] through Oct. 4.

The public meetings will run 1 to 4 p.m. Dates and locations are:

Monday, Sept. 9: Rose Lake State Wildlife Area headquarters building, 8562 E. Stoll Road, East Lansing.
Tuesday, Sept. 10: Kirtland Community College, 4800 W. 4 Mile Road, Grayling.
Thursday, Sept. 12: Marquette Charter Township Hall, 1000 Commerce Drive, Marquette.

State forest planning, from then until now

Small group of men pose on and near a lumber wagon filled with cut, stacked trees in the forest of Otsego County, ca. 1922

The state forest was established in 1903 by the Michigan Forestry Commission. A significant amount of the state was deforested in the late 1800s and early 1900s. To stop a continuous cycle of land reverting to the state due to nonpayment of taxes, then being auctioned and sold only to revert again, the Department of Conservation (the forerunner of the DNR) decided in the 1930s to keep the land and manage it as part of a new state forest that would benefit the public, industry and natural resources.

Since that time, through thousands of acres of land purchases and more tax reversion, the state forest has grown to nearly 4 million acres. The management of Michigan's state forest has evolved over time as well.

“From early, small-scale plans on paper to more complex, multiuse plans developed with forestry modeling software that ensures sustainable management, we’ve made great strides in managing Michigan’s state forest,” Heckman said. “With broad public review and thoughtful input to ensure a comprehensive State Forest Management Plan, we will continue that progress into the next 10 years and beyond.”

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows. Photo credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

State forest planning: Sustainable management of Michigan's nearly 4 million acres of state forest land is certified by two independent agencies, the Forest Stewardship Council® and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®. The new 2024 State Forest Management Plan will guide management for the next 10 years.
Logging - Otsego County: A group of men stand on and near a large logging cart in the forest west of Gaylord, Otsego County, circa 1922.