These critical areas may provide important habitat components such as food and cover for many wildlife species including salamanders, frogs, and eastern wild turkeys. Reducing vehicle access will protect species, such as black bear, which can benefit from timber harvesting but may be negatively affected by increased access. Maintaining a broad range of age classes of all Michigan's forest habitat types of various sizes is important for the state's biodiversity. In providing these habitat conditions, natural resource managers should attempt to use harvest regimes that emulate natural disturbance patterns. Landowners should investigate wildlife habitat conditions and objectives for adjacent lands.
Many wildlife species are dependent on habitat conditions across large land areas.
Coordinating forest management practices among multiple landowners will enhance the types of wildlife habitat that can be provided across the state. Check with local officials to determine if any regional planning groups exist in your area. Consult these groups for opportunities to participate in land management partnerships. Maintaining Michigan's diverse habitat conditions will help conserve these species. This website is maintained by Bill Cook , Michigan State University Extension Forester in the Upper Pensinsula.