Antrim County, Michigan, is the second-largest owner of community forest lands in the state of Michigan. Our Forest Legacy: A History of Antrim County Municipal Forest Management highlights Antrim County’s long dedication to land acquisition, forestry, and conservation from the 1930s to the present.

The county owns more than five thousand acres of public land devoted to various community usage. Roughly ninety percent of these properties have been devoted to forestry and the protection of natural areas and park lands.

The purchase of community forests has allowed the county to generate income and to implement conservation practices that can be replicated on other privately owned properties. This book provides some insight into the forest management activities that have occurred on each county-owned parcel.

These include tree planting, forest improvement projects, harvesting projects, river restoration, and recreational projects. “Our Forest Legacy: A History of Antrim County Forest Management shows us that local government can make a difference in the future.

I applaud the county commissioners’ vision and commitment and am deeply grateful to Mike Meriwether for telling this story. As our county’s forester, he ensured that these public forestlands will be enjoyed by generations to come.

”—Peg Comfort, Antrim Conservation District Steward of the Year 2023“This is a great book that will help our county learn more about our forests. As a past county commissioner, I know it’s tough making some decisions.

But when it comes to our land and water, it’s a no-brainer that we should do our best to take care of them. I’m glad Mike wrote this book so everyone knows how important our forests are.

”—Bryan Smith, Antrim Conservation District board chairman“In putting together a comprehensive history of county-owned forests, forester Mike Meriwether has done a masterful job. This book is and will be for years to come an important resource that will show the county’s stewardship of its forests.

The residents of Antrim County can be justly proud of this [achievement]. ”—Abdeen Jabara-----------------------------------Mike Meriwether has been working as a public-service forester for the Antrim Conservation District in Antrim County, Michigan, for over thirty years.

He has provided technical assistance to non-industrial private landowners, schools, local governments, groups and nonprofit organizations. He has also been responsible for the management and maintenance of county-owned municipal forests.

Mike graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point with a BS degree in forestry and wildlife management. .