What's New
History
In 1972, Governor William Milliken signed the Wilderness and Natural Areas Act, a
powerful tool designed to ensure that Michigan’s
remaining native beauty would not be lost forever. This Act enables the DNR to permanently
protect up to 450,000 acres of Michigan’s
most treasured public land. 40,808 acres
of mountains, waterways and old growth forests were dedicated as the Porcupine
Mountains Wilderness Area; the first acres to be permanently protected under
the Act. To date, seventeen areas have
been formally dedicated under the legislative process set forth in the Wilderness and Natural Areas Act,
totaling just over 48,081 acres, but leaving 98.9% of our public land open for
special interest abuse. The last time Michigan experienced a
dedication was the 281 acres of Saugatuck Dunes in 1988.
Click here to read Governor Milliken's letter.
Million Acres Project
Environment Michigan
is calling on the DNR to permanently protect not only the 450,000 acres as laid
out in the Wilderness and Natural Areas
Act, but also an additional 550,000 acres bringing the total to 1 million
acres of protected state land.
Click here to read the full report.
Today
It had been almost 20 years since Michigan had a wilderness
or natural area permanently protected, but as of April, 2007, 200 acres of
Algonac Prairie and Savanna Oak natural area are in their final stages of being
protected from development, mining and logging.
Environment Michigan
praises the DNR and the Governor for purposing protection of parts of Algonac State Park, but also urges them to
protect the other 18 locations of treasured state-owned forests and parks.
How Can You Help
Call Director Humphries of the DNR (517-373-2329); thank her
for dedicating 200 acres of Algonac
State Park and also ask
her to dedicate the other 18 Wilderness and Natural Areas awaiting protection.