The Benefits of Protecting the Pilgrim River Watershed


The Site's Conservation Values:

  • Encompasses over 1382 acres of privately-owned property in Portage Township which is undeveloped, intact, and which has diverse forests and varied terrain
  • Healthy watershed with over 3 miles of Pilgrim River and headwaters with year-round cold water flows supporting excellent native brook trout fishery
  • Important wildlife habitat
  • Highly scenic with many vistas and bluff overlooking the river

The Project's Community Values:

  • Close proximity to urban area with population of over 15,000
  • Serves as a green space and buffer for steadily developing communities
  • Outdoor classroom - forestry, biology, and ecology demonstrations for local K-12 school and Michigan Technological University programs
  • Opportunity for many recreational uses:
    • High quality trout fishery
    • Quality hunting for deer, bear, rabbits, and grouse
    • Bird watching
    • River canoeing and kayaking
    • High potential for development of trails for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing

Conservation Strategy:

Pursue a Forestry & Recreation easement to accomplish many land-use goals:
  • Permanent public access for multiple recreation uses that expand on Commercial Forest benefits
  • Property managed for sustainable forestry which benefits local forest products economy
  • Land remains in private ownership and on the tax roll as Commercial Forest, thereby benefiting local property tax base
  • Multiple stakeholders in project with broad benefits to the community
  • More cost-effective with broader positive impact than direct acquisition approach
  • Fee-simple acquisition possibilities are also being explored to create a nature preserve or public recreation area