Want to leave a forest legacy? Federal program can help

The following press release was issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

Landowners who want to ensure that their property remains forested and sustainably managed forever are invited to apply to participate in the Forest Legacy Program.

The nationally competitive program, administered by the U.S. Forest Service, uses federal and matching funds to sustainably manage environmentally important forests.

This may involve buying the property outright or purchasing development rights through a conservation easement.

“Loss of forested areas can cause big problems for overall health of a region’s natural resources,” said Kerry Wieber, forest land administrator for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “This program helps private forest landowners make certain that future generations can enjoy and use these forests.”The program provides economic incentives to landowners to keep forests as forests, encourage sustainable management and support strong markets for forest products.

One successful Michigan project is the Pilgrim River Forest on the Keweenaw Peninsula, a 1,299-acre project awarded $550,000 in federal funding matched by local partners with $350,000.

Currently awaiting a funding decision is the Elk Forest at Black River project (in Montmorency County), which would protect 597 acres with $1.5 million from the Forest Legacy Program and a $500,000 match.

All interests in land acquired by the Forest Legacy Program last forever, and agreements must contain language to ensure perpetuity.

Michigan’s program also requires that land remains open to the public, at least for nonmotorized access.

Landowners who don’t have an existing management plan will need to create one before a project can be completed.

Applications are due June 14. Projects that meet eligibility requirements will be reviewed and prioritized.

The DNR may submit the top three projects to compete nationally for funding.

Projects nominated by June 14 will compete for funding during fiscal year 2021, which begins Oct. 1, 2020.

The state can request up to $7 million for an individual project.More than 155,000 acres in Michigan are managed through the Forest Legacy program.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/PrivateForestLand or contact Kerry Wieberat 517-643-1256