State Forests

Michigan's forests are at a crossroads in their history. One hundred years ago, these forests were razed by timber barons, with no thought for the future. For the past century, these forests have been recovering from devastating logging. They are on the verge of recovering the beauty, grandeur, and biological diversity which was the norm in Michigan before they were decimated. We as a society must decide whether to let this recovery happen, or tragically to allow industrial pressure to set the clock back a century again.

Michigan's forests face threats from many quarters:

• The timber industry, which proposes turning these wonderful forests into nothing more than tree farms
• Special interests who advocate managing for game species only, to the detriment of many sensitive species
• Development, which will further fragment and destroy native habitat

Our Mission

• Protect and restore the biodiversity and majesty of Michigan's forests that once were here, are now returning, and could be great again
• Enhance public trust, give Michigan citizens input into management of the forests they own
• Help threatened native wildlife

Our Priorities

• Expand awareness among Michigan citizens of the importance of our Forest ecosystems
• Increase the level of public participation in decisions regarding our Forests
• Protect the rarest, most important places and species
• Promote policies which move Michigan's Forests toward restoration of their native grandeur

Our Methods

We use all lawful advocacy methods, including activist training, litigation, and public input. The Michigan Forest Biodiversity Program has a 10 year history of innovative work, using multifaceted, strategic approaches, looking at the big picture long-term, including:

• Integrating the work of volunteers and staff
• Training activists in methods to participate in public forest management decisions
• Securing more open public input processes for state forest management
• Prompting the National Forests in Michigan to designate over 300,000 acres of Old Growth Forest.
• Suing the US Fish and Wildlife Service for accountability in management of wildlife on 4 million acres of state lands in Michigan