Creating Resilient Forests

Our forests provide so many benefits to nature and people—and they have even more to give. In a changing climate, forests represent a powerful carbon “sink” that can offset greenhouse gas emissions. Healthy forests store more carbon, but the health of Michigan’s forests has been challenged by a complex history of ownership and intensive use, as well as encroaching pests and disease.

TNC is demonstrating sustainable, data-driven forest management practices—and encouraging others to use them as well—to ensure Michigan’s forests remain healthy, resilient and productive for generations to come.

Demonstration

The Big U.P. Deal led to the creation of the Two Hearted River Forest Reserve, TNC’s first reserve in Michigan, which acts as a “living laboratory” where we can study the practices that make forests healthier, while also supporting sustainable forestry jobs and promoting climate benefits.

Using sustainable logging practices, we can improve the health and diversity of the forests. We promote sustainable forestry practices, such as selective logging, which involves assessing each individual tree to decide which trees should be cut for the health and diversity of the whole forest.

Partnerships

TNC works with state and federal agencies, Indigenous communities and private landowners to scale up the conservation of healthy Michigan forests. We share our results and knowledge widely to elevate awareness of the economic, ecological and climate mitigation potential of sustainable forestry practices; to promote Forest Stewardship Council® FSC®-C008922 certification for managed forestlands; and to encourage investment in a more sustainable forest products industry.

In October 2018, we worked with the U.S. Forest Service–Ottawa National Forest to complete a wetland restoration project that involved building 480 feet of boardwalk. Deep within the Michigamme Highlands of the Upper Peninsula in the McCormick Wilderness Area—we worked with two strings of specially-trained pack mules to construct a boardwalk over a mile into the wilderness. This project was funded through a restoration timber sale conducted on forest service lands.  

Science

Science is the foundation of all our work, from climate science research projects to quantitative metrics for forest health and climate sensitivity. We map priorities and other research, including TNC’s national resilient and connected network study, to prioritize forest protection projects.