Michigan is home to 20 million acres of forestland, making it one of the ten most forested states. Forty percent of those forests are owned by more than 400,000 individuals and families. Michigan’s forests support more than 125,000 jobs and contribute more than $17 billion to Michigan’s economy annually. Michigan forests are vital in preserving our economy, heritage, and the overall health of the community in which we live. In the 2015 winter edition of Michigan Forest Association’s (MFA) magazine “Michigan Forests” guest columnist and HeadWaters Land Conservancy supporter Mike Mang discusses the use of conservation easements as a long-term approach to caring for Michigan forest land. Mike Mang is a retired DNR forester and MFA member. Mike is a volunteer at HeadWaters Land Conservancy, and serves on our Land Protection Committee and Board of Directors. The Michigan Forest Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating its members and the public about the benefits of proper forest management.
Read Mike’s article here Michigan Forests Magazine Winter 2015
MICHIGAN STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE
MICHIGAN IS MY HOME.
It is a special place in the land of the Great Lakes where fresh waters lap upon the shores of two peninsulas.
- I WILL STRIVE TO KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN AND THE WATER PURE.
Some of the land is used for cities and industry where families live and work.
- I WILL HELP PEOPLE LEARN HOW TO KEEP THESE USES FROM DAMAGING THE AIR, WATER AND SOIL.
Some of the land is used for agriculture, providing food and clothing for us all.
- I WILL SUPPORT THE KIND OF FARMING THAT IS GOOD FOR THE SOIL AND DOES NOT POLLUTE THE WATER.
Some of the land is used for forest, a renewable resource. The forest produces wood and fiber for our needs, habitat for wildlife, recreation and beauty for all who pass by.
- I WILL BE CONSIDERATE OF ALL THE VALUES OF THE FOREST.
- I SHALL STRIVE TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH MY FAMILY, MY NEIGHBORS AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
- I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF THIS LAND AND TO INSURE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, THAT ALL THE BENEFITS I NOW ENJOY, WILL ALSO BE THEIRS, WHEN MICHIGAN IS THEIR HOME.
(MICHIGAN FOREST ASSOCIATION © February 1992)
