Huron National Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Huron National Forest |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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The Au Sable River in the Huron National Forest
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Map showing National Forests in Michigan
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| Location | Lower Peninsula, Michigan |
| Area | 438,584 acres (1,770 km2) |
| Established | 1909 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
| Website | Huron–Manistee National Forests |
The Huron National Forest is a huge natural area in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It's a special place where you can enjoy nature. This forest provides a home for many animals and plants. It was created in 1909 after a time when many trees were cut down.
In 1945, the Huron National Forest was joined with the Manistee National Forest. Together, they are called the Huron–Manistee National Forests. Even though they are managed together, they are still two separate forests. The main office for the forest is in Cadillac, Michigan.
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History of the Huron Forest
The Huron National Forest was officially started in 1909. It was named after the Huron people, an Iroquoian tribe from the Great Lakes area. The forest covers about 437,287 acres (176,964 ha). That's a huge space, stretching about 70 miles (110 km) from east to west and 30 miles (48 km) from north to south.
During the Great Depression, the U.S. Forest Service bought land. This helped farmers and landowners. It also put money back into the economy.
Forest Geography and Fires
The Huron National Forest often has forest fires. These fires happen because of the types of trees and soil there. Many parts of the forest have jack pine trees. Their needles catch fire very easily. The soil is also sandy, which makes fires spread faster.
Forest managers sometimes create areas with young jack pines. This helps a special bird called the Kirtland's warbler find places to nest. However, these dense young trees can also make wildfires more likely.
In 2010, a big fire called the Meridian Boundary Fire happened. It burned over 8,500 acres (3,400 ha) of land. This fire destroyed 13 homes and damaged many other buildings.
Fun Things to Do in the Forest
The Huron National Forest offers many ways to explore nature.
Bull Gap ORV Trail
If you like adventure, you can visit the Bull Gap ORV Trail. ORV stands for "off-road vehicle." This trail has about 115 miles (185 km) of paths for these vehicles. It's a great place for riding dirt bikes or ATVs.
Kirtland's Warbler Tours
The forest is home to the threatened Kirtland's warbler. This small bird is very rare. You can sometimes take special tours to see these birds. These tours help people learn about the warbler and how to protect it.
See also
- The Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad is a fun, small train ride. It's a 1/4-scale ridable miniature railway located in Fairview, Michigan.
Images for kids
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This image shows a page from a legal document. It's part of the official records that helped create the National Forests.
