|
PILGRIM
River Sustainable Forestry Conservation Project
Just minutes from
Houghton Michigan and Michigan Technological University is a large tract of
undeveloped forestland, with a variety of terrain and a high quality trout
fishery known as the Pilgrim River. Northwood Alliance Inc. is assisting the Copper Country Chapter of Trout
Unlimited (CCCTU), and the Keweenaw
Land Trust in helping to build a partnership to accomplish a
significant conservation project that could comprise at least 1360 acres
and include about three miles of the Pilgrim River. New owners, who practice the management
of Partners in Forestry Landowner COOP, have recently acquired this parcel
and are a willing landowner in this process. Portage Township will be presented the
project concept for their consideration as a formal partner.
The approach being
developed involves a productive forest conservation easement: a land
protection agreement that would permanently establish this property as a
sustainably managed forest with public access for a wide variety of
recreation, education and research uses. In addition to traditional hunting
and fishing, uses would be expanded to include other forms of recreation
that are compatible with sustainable forest management, which could include
developing trail systems for hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and other
low-impact activities.
We are currently making
the case for the value of this project to the community, as it represents a
tremendous opportunity for conservation and public benefit - an opportunity
that may never come again. Contact us or
the Keweenaw Land Trust to
find out how you can support this project.
Northwood Alliance
Pilgrim River Photo
gallery
Parcel
Map
Topo Map
USGS data on the Pilgrim
River
http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:634887
Daily
Mining Gazette, November 26, 2010.
|
