A Plan for the Great Northwoods Forest Management

The forests of Michigan have always been my playground and my classroom. My earliest memories are from a perch on the back of my mother’s bike, weaving through the sun-dappled trails of northern Michigan. As I got older, I traded the bikes for boots, following my father and grandfather on hunts for deer and grouse in the Great Northwoods. These formative moments shaped not just my love for the outdoors, but my drive to protect the natural world. Today, that passion fuels my work to safeguard these wild places through responsible forest management, ensuring their endurance for generations to come.

We all share something incredible: Michigan’s public lands. They’re ours to enjoy, care for, and protect. With that privilege comes the chance to work together to ensure these natural spaces are managed wisely, now and for future generations.

A Plan for Forest Management

Right now, Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources is giving us the rare opportunity to weigh in. They’ve spent the last two years carefully crafting an updated management plan—a blueprint for how the state will manage four million acres of state forests, which make up more than 20% of the state’s forests overall. These woods, mostly in the northern part of the state, are home to an incredible array of plants and animals. They are where we hike, hunt, camp, and connect to nature.

Just as importantly, these forests are critical parts of many cultures, spiritually significant to some Indigenous groups, and economic drivers for local and statewide economies. This plan only comes around once in a decade, and it’s our chance to shape how Michigan’s forests are cared for—for us, for wildlife, and for future generations. It’s also a chance to keep the state accountable for managing these lands sustainably.

But here’s the kicker: the draft plan is 1,700 pages long. That’s right, 1,700 pages. For context, Tolstoy’s War and Peace is 1,200 pages. The forest management plan is longer. Who has the caffeine to get through that?

Luckily, we have some amazing staff, partners, and contractors who dove into this plan. While it is a work in progress, NWF believes the 2024 Forest Management Plan marks a significant improvement over previous statewide plans. It reflects notable progress in the Michigan DNR’s approach to the climate crisis, with climate-based forest management strategies and metrics woven throughout. The plan also benefits from a new format, consolidating previously separate documents into a single, more accessible and intuitive resource, despite its length.

Engaging with the Great North Woods Communities

That said, the success of these improvements hinges on the DNR’s commitment to robust public engagement and transparent decision-making processes as they move forward with species, land use, and habitat-specific plans. This can’t be overstated. To maintain and build public trust, DNR must provide genuine opportunities for public engagement, discourse, and accountability in every future planning effort tied to the execution and approval of the 2024 State Forest Management Plan.

Additional suggested improvements include:

• Developing management strategies for Michigan’s moose population
• Establishing quantitative goals for:
  • Trail access,
  • Public engagement on public land access, and
  • Expanding the carbon credit program.
• Clarifying how the Michigan DNR will collaborate with partner agencies to meet climate goals, support renewable energy development, and curb the introduction of invasive species.

Our detailed feedback is available now and will be submitted by NWF on behalf of our partner organizations and the thousands of NWF members and supporters across Michigan.

Your voice matters. Join us in advocating for sustainable forest management in Michigan. Submit your own comments on the plan by taking our Action Alert and standing with us to protect the forests and the wildlife and communities that rely on them.