The following is an ecosystem-based project that illustrates the creative work of Michigan's land managers - private landowners, corporate owners, DNR professional and technical staff, environmentalists, government and civic leaders - as they implement Eco-system management.

In the summer of 1994, the DNR Forest Stewardship Program, the Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council and a citizen-based advisory committee initiated an ecosystem-based project for private landowners in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

The Clay Lake Plain Ecosystem Project is an innovative strategy for identifying ecological units within a landscape, defining appropriate values/criteria within an ecological unit, and assisting private landowners within the project area to sustain the identified values.

Using a GIS strategy for identifying ecological units within a landscape and defining private landowners planning objectives, the citizen advisory committee identified the following mission for the project:

The citizen advisory committee identified a set of values/criteria to meet "Ecosystem Project Planning Objectives" within the Clay Lake Plain Ecosystem and are encouraged to develop and implement a long-term ecosystem management plan through the Michigan Forest Stewardship Program. To date, over 150 landowners of 27,584 acres have implemented Forest Stewardship Program plans and practices in concert with the Clay Lake Plain planning objectives.

Ecosystem Project Planning Objectives:

When the characteristics and behaviors of basic Eco-system components are understood, they can be used to help determine landowner objectives and site specific plan development. Innovative, comprehensive and coordinated planning is key to obtaining the objectives of the Clay Lake Ecosystem Project.

Photos and Brochure are available for this page.

Contact the Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council

906-226-7487