A ceremony is planned to celebrate an agreement that will protect 750 acres of hardwood forest in northern Michigan from development.
Representatives of the state Department of Natural Resources will sign a deal Friday with the landowner, Lake Louise Christian Community. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Lake Louise organization's camp in Boyne Falls.
The $1.2 million agreement establishes a conservation easement that will allow outdoor recreation on the parcel such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking and cross-country skiing.
The tract is important habitat for wildlife, including 110 bird species including the bald eagle and common loon.
A stretch of Thumb Lake shoreline also will be protected.
The U.S. Forest Service provided a $900,000 grant for the conservation easement, while Lake Louise donated $300,000.