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The National Natural Landmarks in Michigan include 12 of the almost 600 United States National Natural Landmarks (NNLs). They cover areas of geological and biological importance, and include bogs, several forest types, and habitats for several rare species. The landmarks are located in 12 of the state's 83 counties. Two counties have two Natural Landmarks each, while two Landmarks are located in parts of two counties. The first designation, Warren Woods State Park, was made in 1967, while the most recent, the Porcupine Mountains, was made in 1984. Natural Landmarks in Michigan range from 24 to 11,600 acres (9.7 to 4,694.4 ha; 0.038 to 18.125 sq mi) in size. Owners include Michigan State University, private individuals and several state and federal agencies.

The National Natural Landmarks Program is administered by the National Park Service, a branch of the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service determines which properties meet NNL criteria and makes nomination recommendations after an owner notification process. The Secretary of the Interior reviews nominations and, based on a set of predetermined criteria, makes a decision on NNL designation or a determination of eligibility for designation. Both public and privately owned properties can be designated as NNLs. Owners may object to the nomination of the property as a NNL. This designation provides indirect, partial protection of the historic integrity of the properties via tax incentives, grants, monitoring of threats, and other means.

National Natural Landmarks

Dead Stream Swamp
Grand Mere Beach
Warren Woods
Name Date Location County Ownership Description
Black Spruce Bog Natural Area 1976 42°18′58.00″N 84°11′46.49″W / 42.3161111°N 84.1962472°W / 42.3161111; -84.1962472 Jackson State A boreal bog forest with a stand of black spruce; illustrates the last stage of evolution in a sphagnum bog ecosystem. Although this is not a remote location, it does not have designated trails or signage. Part of Waterloo State Recreation Area.
Dead Stream Swamp 1976 44°6′0″N 84°10′12″W / 44.10000°N 84.17000°W / 44.10000; -84.17000 Missaukee, Roscommon State An extensive northern white cedar swamp, illustrating the last stage of bog forest evolution. Part of Au Sable State Forest.
Dukes Research Natural Area 1974 46°21′0″N 87°10′0.01″W / 46.35000°N 87.1666694°W / 46.35000; -87.1666694 Marquette Federal A swamp containing undisturbed stands of cedar and mixed conifers and old-growth hardwood. Part of Hiawatha National Forest.
Grand Mere Lakes 1968 41°59′35″N 86°32′59″W / 41.99306°N 86.54972°W / 41.99306; -86.54972 Berrien State, private Contains multiple low areas created by Lake Michigan's post-glacial ancestors, illustrating aquatic to terrestrial evolution. Provides habitat for several rare species. Part of Grand Mere State Park.
Haven Hill State Natural Area 1976 42°38′11″N 83°34′23″W / 42.63639°N 83.57306°W / 42.63639; -83.57306 Oakland State A small area that incorporates all forest types found in southern Michigan; plays host to over 100 bird species and 17 species of mammals. Part of Highland Recreation Area.
Newton Woods 1976 42°0′32.7594″N 85°58′16.32″W / 42.009099833°N 85.9712000°W / 42.009099833; -85.9712000 Cass State One of the Lower Peninsula's last remaining old-growth, mixed-oak hardwood forests. Part of the Michigan State University managed Fred Russ Forest.
Porcupine Mountains 1984 46°46′N 89°45′W / 46.767°N 89.750°W / 46.767; -89.750 Gogebic, Ontonagon State Contains extensive white pine and virgin northern hemlock, as well as wave-cut beaches that mark the shorelines of ancient glacial lakes. Part of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Roscommon Virgin Pine Stand 1980 44°6′0″N 84°10′12″W / 44.10000°N 84.17000°W / 44.10000; -84.17000 Roscommon State A large stand of old-growth red pine with a documented history of wildfires stretching back to 1798. Part of Au Sable State Forest.
Strangmoor Bog 1973 46°15′N 86°06′W / 46.250°N 86.100°W / 46.250; -86.100 Schoolcraft Federal An undisturbed example of a string bog, one of the southernmost locations of this type of bog. Part of Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
Tobico Marsh 1976 43°41′51″N 83°56′11″W / 43.69750°N 83.93639°W / 43.69750; -83.93639 Bay State A mixture of relatively undisturbed hardwood forest, open water and marshland, frequently used by migrating waterfowl. Part of Bay City Recreation Area.
Toumey Woodlot 1976 42°42′13.428″N 84°27′54.36″W / 42.70373000°N 84.4651000°W / 42.70373000; -84.4651000 Ingham State One of southern Michigan's last virgin beech-maple forests; located on the Michigan State University campus and used for ecological research. Managed by Michigan State University.
Warren Woods Natural Area 1967 41°50′00″N 86°37′20″W / 41.83333°N 86.62222°W / 41.83333; -86.62222 Berrien Private One of southern Michigan's last virgin beech-maple forests. Also includes sizable individual specimens of beech, maple and sycamore. Part of Warren Woods State Park.

See also

References

General
  • "National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009. pp. 47–49. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
Specific
  1. ^ "National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009. pp. Introduction, 47–49. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  2. ^ "Michigan". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  3. ^ "36 CFR Part 62: National Natural Landmarks Program, Final Rule" (PDF). Federal Register. May 12, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2012-06-17.
  4. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2015-08-21. Retrieved 2012-06-07.