List of National Natural Landmarks in Michigan

Porcupine Mountains

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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] This designation provides indirect, partial protection of the historic integrity of the properties via tax incentives, grants, monitoring of threats, and other means.[4]


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 Jackson State A boreal bog forest with a stand of black spruce; illustrates the last stage of evolution in a sphagnum bog ecosystem.
Dead Stream Swamp 1976 44°6′0″N 84°10′12″W / 44.10000°N 84.17000°W Missaukee, Roscommon State An extensive northern white cedar swamp, illustrating the last stage of bog forest evolution.
Dukes Research Natural Area 1974 46°21′0″N 87°10′0.01″W / 46.35000°N 87.1666694°W Marquette Federal A swamp containing undisturbed stands of cedar and mixed conifers and old-growth hardwood.
Grand Mere Lakes 1968 41°59′35″N 86°32′59″W / 41.99306°N 86.54972°W 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.
Haven Hill State Natural Area 1976 42°38′11″N 83°34′23″W / 42.63639°N 83.57306°W 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.
Newton Woods 1976 42°0′32.7594″N 85°58′16.32″W / 42.009099833°N 85.9712000°W Cass State One of the Lower Peninsula's last remaining old-growth, mixed-oak hardwood forests.
Porcupine Mountains 1984 46°46′N 89°45′W / 46.767°N 89.750°W 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.
Roscommon Virgin Pine Stand 1980 44°6′0″N 84°10′12″W / 44.10000°N 84.17000°W Roscommon State A large stand of old-growth red pine with a documented history of wildfires stretching back to 1798.
Strangmoor Bog 1973 46°15′N 86°06′W / 46.250°N 86.100°W Schoolcraft Federal An undisturbed example of a string bog, one of the southernmost locations of this type of bog.
Tobico Marsh 1976 43°41′51″N 83°56′11″W / 43.69750°N 83.93639°W Bay State A mixture of relatively undisturbed hardwood forest, open water and marshland, frequently used by migrating waterfowl.
Toumey Woodlot 1976 42°42′13.428″N 84°27′54.36″W / 42.70373000°N 84.4651000°W Ingham State One of southern Michigan's last virgin beech-maple forests; located on the Michigan State University campus and used for ecological research.
Warren Woods Natural Area 1967 41°50′00″N 86°37′20″W / 41.83333°N 86.62222°W Berrien Private One of southern Michigan's last virgin beech-maple forests. Also includes sizable individual specimens of beech, maple and sycamore.

References

General
Specific
  1. "National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009. pp. Introduction, 47–49. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  2. "Michigan". National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  3. "36 CFR Part 62: National Natural Landmarks Program, Final Rule" (PDF). Federal Register. May 12, 1999. Retrieved 2012-06-17.
  4. "Frequently Asked Questions". National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-06-07.