Forest Conservation
Forests for People - More than You Can Imagine!
Celebrate Michigan Forests during Stewardship Week - April 24 - May 1, 2011.
Trees are important! Is the soil along the banks of your local stream staying in place because of the roots of trees? Did the pine windbreak next to your home protect it from strong winter winds? Every day, forests and trees play an important role in our lives. Conservation practices utilizing trees and forests are an important key. All landowners can find benefit from trees and forests and all play an important role in assuring the value of our trees and forests. From urban landowners who's trees shade their home and their community to forest landowners who sustainably manage their forest lands, providing wildlife habitat and protecting water quality. Every person's effort makes a difference.
Make a point of taking a positive step for forests this week as part of Stewardship Week. Volunteer to plant trees in your community, or help remove invasive species from forested areas. Our trees and forests can use your help!
Visit your local Conservation District for further information on tree planting and forestry management.
You may also visit the following online resources:
Watershed Forestry Resource Guide
Michigan Forests
Michigan forests are an incredible resource, with just over half of the state in forest cover. Drive through the countryside and it becomes apparent that Michigan has an abundance of forestland! More amazing is that 57% of Michigan's forests are owned by non-industrial private landowners. Not the State of Michigan and not the large corporate land owners, but regular landowners such as the farmer next door, the retiree who owns a hunting camp in the Upper Peninsula and the homeowner who cuts his own firewood on his ten acres.
Michigan Land Base Statistics:
Total Land Base: 37 million acres
Forested Land Base: 19.3 million acres- 57% = non-industrial private ownership (11 million acres)
- 8% = industrial private ownership (1.5 million acres)
- 21% = State ownership (4.1 million acres)
- 14% = Federal ownership (2.7 million acres)
Non-industrial private landowners have an important role to play in the management of this extensive and incredibly important resource. Active management of this land base, whether for recreation, hunting, timber or wildlife, is very beneficial and will provide many immediate and lasting benefits.
MACD encourages you to learn more about Michigan's forests and become involved in active management of this vital resource!