justnorth posted on July 21, 2007 10:36 :: 1539 Views
Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries signed an order at a recent meeting of the Natural Resources Commission to enable the DNR to purchase 1,840 acres in the central Upper Peninsula as part of the Winter Deer Habitat Initiative. The parcel encompasses parts of northern Menominee and northwestern Delta counties near the community of Hendricks.
The initiative, which was launched in 2003, is designed to conserve critical winter deer range before it is lost to development, fragmentation or other habitat conversion.
"This parcel represents a significant conservation milestone," Humphries said. "Over 11,000 acres have been purchased in the U.P. through this initiative since 2003, and an additional 1,000 acres have been purchased in the northern Lower Peninsula."
Funds for the purchase are from the Deer Range Improvement Program (DRIP), which receives $1.50 from every deer hunting license that is sold in Michigan, and also from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Both are restricted fund sources.
The parcel is adjacent to existing state lands and was purchased from Plum Creek Land Company of Seattle, Wash. -- who has been a great partner in this conservation effort, DNR officials said.
"This area is dominated by drumlin and moraine topography, which is characterized by rolling hills with hardwood forests and lowlands dominated by cedar swamps," said Bill Scullon, DNR DRIP coordinator. "This mix of forest stands provides thermal cover and food for deer throughout the harsh U.P. winters. We are very excited to be making this purchase."
The parcel is not yet open to the public, but closing on the property should occur late fall or early winter. Public access will be available once the closing is complete.
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