The majority of forest lands in Michigan is owned by non-industrial private forest landowners. ABC's experience is that these landowners love their land, and many are willing to take steps to improve forest health through invasive species control, habitat improvements, or harvesting timber to create a dynamic forest. Often, they require information, assistance and opportunity to do so. Through this project, ABC will work with landowners to improve their forests in ways that support their values, while contributing to established NRCS priorities for forest health and bolstering NRCS capacity to implement contracted habitat improvements.
Our objective is to address NRCS resource concerns of at-risk species habitat in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through forest restoration and habitat management for the recovery of threatened and endangered species. We will also link bird habitat prescriptions to NRCS incentive programs that help meet focal species BMPs.