LWCF Funded Units in Michigan

Federal Program
Au Sable Nat River
Detroit River IWR
Harbor Island NWR
Hiawatha NF
Huron NF
Keweenaw NHP
Kirtlands Warbler WMA
Manistee NF
Manistee WSR
Ottawa NF
Pere Marquette WSR
Pictured Rocks NL
Shiawassee NWR
Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
Walkinshaw Wetlands
Approximate Federal Total	$166,000,000
State Program
Approximate Total Stateside Grants	$126,000,000
Approximate Total Federal and State	$292,000,000

LWCF Success in Michigan

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of Michigan’s most treasured places. Michigan has received approximately $292 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Keweenaw National Historic Park.

Ottawa National Forest

The Ottawa NF known in particular for its hardwood forests, bountiful streams, rivers, lakes, spectacular fall foliage, and heavy winter snowfall. The forest offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities and provides habitat for a wide range of wildlife. The Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area features the geologically unique Sturgeon River Gorge, where the river has carved falls, rapids, ponds, oxbows, and terraces. Its rugged terrain, mature forests, and remote location offer outstanding recreational opportunities including hiking, primitive camping, canoeing, whitewater kayaking, hunting, and fishing. It also hosts a variety of wildlife habitat, including a Lynx Analysis Unit, used to monitor potential habitat for the threatened Canada lynx. Federal acquisition of this land ensures the integrity of the wilderness experience, and the protection of a truly unique natural resource area.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Michigan economy. Each year, 1.7 million sportspersons and 3.2 million wildlife watchers combine to spend $5.1 billion on wildlife-associated recreation in Michigan. This is an integral part of the American outdoor recreation economy, which contributes $730 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supports 6.4 million American jobs (1 out of every 20 jobs in the U.S.), and stimulates 8 percent of all consumer spending, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.