Whenever you talk to a resident or visitor to the UP, there is always one thing that comes out - a deep love and connection to the land that surrounds us. While we work through these troubled times together. let's keep in mind that, like the land around us, our roots are deep. Our human and natural ecosystems are strong and, like our ecosystem, we support one another when one of us is in need. Just like a spiders' web, when there is a tug on one string, all aspects are affected and we all must do our part to keep this community strong. 

The Peshekee Headwaters Nature Preserve, Vielmetti-Peters Reserve, the Chocolay Bayou and Tory's Woods are open for public use during daylight hours as usual! Please head out to the woods to let your mind take a break from the news and let your your lungs breathe in the clean air that nature provides to us. Safe and responsible outdoor recreation while practicing social distancing is currently allowed. Check out the "Protected Lands" menu above or the Interactive Map to find a preserve near you to explore, and let us know with an email or a post on social media that you're out enjoying the land. Socially sharing your outdoor experiences can help those who are unable to get out onto the trails right now feel some of that peace and calm that you're finding in the woods.