Showcasing the DNR: A landmark investment in public land
Over 8,800 acres added to the Pigeon River Country State Forest
By KERRY HECKMAN
Forest land administrator, Forest Resources Division
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
One of Michigan’s crown jewels – the Pigeon River Country State Forest, known as the “Big Wild” due to its wilderness-like character and home to Michigan’s elk herd – just got bigger, and Michigan’s residents are the proud new owners.
On behalf of the public, using grant funding and private donations, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has acquired 8,850 acres of land, including over 14 miles of trout streams, three lakes and suitable habitat for a variety of wildlife, including elk, black bear and white-tailed deer.
The forest
While visiting the area following World War I, author Ernest Hemingway said, “that Barrens Country is the greatest I’ve ever been in,” describing the pine barrens and forests east of Vanderbilt in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula.
 This same area that made such an impression on Hemingway would become the Pigeon River Country State Forest.
Over a century ago, the Pigeon River Country State Forest, or PRC, as it is also known, was established by setting aside nearly 6,500 acres of land that the state acquired through tax reversion.
Championed by P.S. Lovejoy, Michigan’s first Game Division chief, intentional acquisitions and additions grew the PRC to approximately 111,000 acres. In 1918, elk were reintroduced in the area through the relocation of seven Rocky Mountain elk. This effort was very successful, as the elk herd has now grown to around 1,100 animals.
Today, the PRC is known for its three blue ribbon trout streams – the Pigeon River, Black River and Sturgeon River, numerous lakes and sinkhole lakes, remote recreation opportunities and variety of wildlife such as bobcat, pine marten and numerous birds including loons and bald eagles.
The property
The Black River Ranch was first acquired from the government in 1911 by Edwin George, who, after camping on the shores of Silver Lake in 1910, became determined to acquire all the property surrounding the lake and along the corridors of the Black River and the East Branch of the Black River.
Historically, the property was logged during the lumbering era in the late 1800s, contained farming and livestock operations beginning in 1914, hosted students researching the fish, wildlife and plants beginning in the 1930s, and most recently has served as a hunting and fishing retreat. |
 At nearly 8,850 acres, Black River Ranch is one of the last remaining large, intact, forested tracts in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
This breathtaking property contains over 14 miles of rivers and streams, including the Black River, the East Branch of the Black River and Stewart Creek. The Black River, considered the premier brook trout stream east of the Mississippi River, is the only river managed exclusively for native brook trout in the Lake Huron basin.
The property also includes the entirety of three lakes, including the 150-acre Silver Lake.
Located in the heart of Michigan’s only elk herd range and adjacent to the Pigeon River Country State Forest on three sides, the property sees extensive elk use throughout the year.
During a period of extensive elk poaching on state forest land in the 1960s and 1970s, the property served as a refuge for much of the elk herd, assisting in ensuring its survival.
Bugle Hill, the high point on the property, is named after the call of bull elk used to establish dominance over other bull elk and attract cow elk. The sweeping vista from the hill offers a stunning view of the Black River Valley and miles of wilderness and forests.
The opportunity
In early 2019, following an inquiry from the landowners, Little Traverse Conservancy contacted the DNR to determine the state’s interest in acquiring Black River Ranch as an addition to the Pigeon River Country State Forest.
Given the chance to protect such an exceptional piece of property rich with natural resources, the DNR quickly made it a priority to pursue this opportunity on behalf of the public.
“LTC has a long-standing partnership with the Michigan DNR and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Together, we have accomplished some landscape-level conservation while providing more opportunities for people to enjoy what makes northern Michigan so special,” said Kieran Fleming, Little Traverse Conservancy executive director. “We are proud to work with landowners who have cared for their land, sometimes for generations. In this case we’re happy to help the seller navigate their options knowing that conservation was a natural fit for them.” |
Partnerships
Between 2020 and 2023, a variety of grant funds and private donations were secured, which enabled the DNR to present a formal offer to the landowner in 2024 to purchase the property. All the money used for the purchase of the property came from grant funding and donations from nonprofit organizations and private individuals.
Forest Legacy Program
The purpose of the Forest Legacy Program is to provide federal grant funding to states to protect environmentally important forest land from being converted to nonforest uses.
Funding for the program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, is provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is revenue the federal government receives from offshore oil and gas leases.
The Forest Legacy Program provides 75% of the funding necessary for states to acquire forest land and ensure it is managed sustainably forever.
The Black River Ranch project ranked ninth in the country when competing for FLP funds. Over $10.6 million was awarded to the Michigan DNR for the project in 2022.
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund
In 1976, to resolve concerns related to oil and gas development on state forest land in the Pigeon River Country State Forest, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund was established. The intent of the trust fund was to use mineral royalties earned from the development of state-owned minerals to acquire land for public recreation and natural resources protection.
Providing funding for the acquisition of Black River Ranch brought the trust fund full circle with an opportunity to invest in the protection of land in the Pigeon River Country, where the trust fund originated. The trust fund awarded over $5.3 million for the project between grants in 2020 and 2023. |
 Private funds
As a partner on the project, Little Traverse Conservancy served a vital role in bringing the project to a successful conclusion. In addition to supporting both the landowner and DNR throughout development, negotiation and completion, the conservancy also worked to secure private funding for the project.
In addition to contributing its own funds, the conservancy also arranged funding contributions from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the J.A. Woollam Foundation.
“All were willing partners and provided much-needed help in raising funds,” Fleming said. “The PRC is irreplaceable, and the opportunities to expand it are so incredibly rare, we are proud of the partnership that made this possible.”
Given that the Black River Ranch provides critical habitat in the heart of Michigan’s elk country, it was a natural priority for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to be involved. This contribution is the largest investment that the group has made in land protection efforts in Michigan.
“More than five years in the making, conservation of the Black River Ranch property is a great example of RMEF’s steadfast commitment to increasing public access while ensuring vital habitat remains for big game and other wildlife,” said Jennifer Doherty, RMEF managing director of mission operations. “We applaud the landowner, Little Traverse Conservancy and Michigan DNR for their partnership in conserving one of the last large intact parcels within Michigan’s designated elk zone, a move that both supports active forest management and helps reduce wildlife conflict – outcomes RMEF is proud to champion.”
The final piece of funding was provided through the generosity of the landowner, who agreed to sell the property at a price lower than the appraised value to ensure the protection of this incredible tract of land. This bargain sale was pivotal to ensuring the DNR was successful in purchasing the property.
The years of working together, building partnerships and negotiating the transaction came to a successful conclusion as the DNR, on behalf of the public, completed the purchase of Black River Ranch last week. |
The future
With the addition of Black River Ranch to the Pigeon River Country State Forest, DNR staff will now begin the work of assessing the buildings, roads and other infrastructure on the property.
The assessment of the buildings on the property will include consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. Through this collaboration, DNR staff will determine whether any buildings on the property are potentially eligible to be added to the national register and the appropriateness of attaching a historic preservation covenant to the deed of the property.
The land is now open for all legal hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, bird watching, berry picking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and other outdoor activities. All nonmotorized use is welcome. Motorized use is limited until the DNR completes an inventory of the existing roads on the property and develops an access plan. There will be an opportunity for public involvement in developing the access plan.
The Black River Ranch, as a natural addition to the Pigeon River Country, will be managed for the benefit of the public according to the PRC’s Concept of Management. This guide to the management of the PRC was developed in coordination with the Pigeon River Country Advisory Council. This advisory council, made up of citizen members, considers and advises the DNR on plans, programs and activities proposed, conducted within or affecting the PRC. One of the council’s primary roles is to develop public support and local cooperation for programs adopted for the state forest.
As with all lands the DNR purchases, the state will pay taxes on the property to the local taxing authorities. Those tax payments are estimated to increase by over $27,000 compared to the taxes the former landowner paid on the property.
“The purchase of the Black River Ranch is rare in that it exemplifies the broad array of values that we cherish in Michigan,” said Scott Bowen, DNR director. “The protection of precious natural and cultural resources, opportunities for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational pursuits, and the sustainable management of a healthy forest, all for the current and future generations of Michiganders to enjoy.”
Learn more about the Pigeon River Country State Forest at Michigan.gov/PigeonRiverCountry. |
Check out previous Showcasing the DNR stories in our archive at Michigan.gov/DNRStories. To subscribe to upcoming Showcasing articles, sign up for free email delivery at Michigan.gov/DNREmail.
Note to editors: Contact: John Pepin, Showcasing the DNR series editor, 906-226-1352. Accompanying photos and a text-only version of this story are available below for download. Caption information follows. Credit Michigan Department of Natural Resources, unless otherwise noted.
Text-only version of this story.
Grazing elk: Elk graze in an open field on the Black River Ranch property, located within the heart of Michigan’s elk country. (Photo courtesy of the former landowner).
River Aerial: The Black River winds through the forest on the Black River Ranch property. Over 14 miles of trout streams flow through the property. (Photo courtesy of Little Traverse Conservancy)
River views: The Black River Ranch includes the Black River, the East Branch of the Black River and Stewart Creek, all blue ribbon coldwater trout streams. (Photo courtesy of Little Traverse Conservancy)
Scenic overlook: Views of the Black River valley and Pigeon River Country State Forest from the top of Bugle Hill, the highest point on the Black River Ranch property.
Silver Lake: At 150 acres, Silver Lake is the largest of three lakes on the Black River Ranch property. It offers great fishing opportunities and provides habitat for wildlife, including common loons. (Photo courtesy of Little Traverse Conservancy)
Sunset: A summer sun sets over Silver Lake on the Black River Ranch property. (Photo courtesy of the former landowner) |
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