The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.
The Forest Legacy Program aims to protect important forest areas from development and fragmentation. This program supports the conservation of sustainable forests and their public benefits. It is a competitive grant process where projects are selected nationally. Projects may involve the sale or donation of property rights and can range from fee transactions, where the landowner sells the land to the state, to conservation easements that restrict uses impacting conservation values. These efforts are designed to ensure long-term forest conservation and may also provide landowners with benefits such as reduced taxes. The process demands a high commitment level from landowners and partners.