The Eastern Upper Peninsula (EUP) holds quiet strengths—places where research, stewardship, and community learning have been unfolding for generations. One of the most remarkable is Dunbar Forest, a 5,760‑acre Michigan State University research forest spanning Bruce Township and Soo Township. It is the largest and second‑oldest MSU off‑campus facility, and for decades it has hosted long‑term genetics and silvicultural studies that have helped advance modern forest management across Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

Dunbar is more than a research site. It is a living archive of ecological memory—an outdoor laboratory where scientists, students, and community members can see how forests respond to climate, disturbance, and time itself.

A Forest That Teaches

Dunbar Forest sits at the transition between northern hardwood forests and areas of boreal influence, giving researchers a natural gradient for studying climate adaptation. Its size allows MSU to maintain multi‑decade experiments, yielding rare and invaluable datasets that help foresters understand how species grow, compete, and regenerate.

But Dunbar’s value isn’t limited to academia. It is also a place where community learning and youth development can flourish.

Connecting Dunbar to 4‑H Youth Development

For decades, 4‑H programs in the EUP have helped young people explore natural resources, leadership, and hands‑on science through research‑based, experiential learning. Dunbar Forest offers a uniquely powerful extension of that mission:

  • 4‑H Forestry Projects — Youth can learn tree identification, forest ecology, and stewardship practices directly in a research forest.
  • Citizen Science Activities — Long‑term research plots provide opportunities for youth to collect data that contributes to real scientific research.
  • Outdoor Leadership Training — Dunbar’s trails and research areas create a natural setting for team‑building and environmental leadership.

By linking 4‑H programming with Dunbar Forest, the region strengthens a pipeline of young people who understand both the science and the stewardship of the land they call home.

Where EUPConnect Collaborative Fits In

The EUPConnect Collaborative works to expand digital opportunity, strengthen community capacity, and build region‑ready infrastructure across the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Dunbar Forest aligns with that mission in three important ways:

1. Spatial Intelligence & Ecological Data

Dunbar’s long‑term datasets can be integrated into community‑scale spatial intelligence platforms, helping local governments, schools, and tribal partners understand land use, climate impacts, and ecological change.

2. STEM Pathways for Rural Youth

By connecting 4‑H programs, local schools, and Dunbar Forest, EUPConnect can help create place‑based STEM pathways that are rooted in the region’s natural assets.

3. Community Stewardship & Regional Identity

Dunbar Forest reinforces a narrative that the EUP is not just a place where research happens—it is a place that shapes the science of the Great Lakes. This strengthens regional identity and supports EUPConnect’s work in brand stewardship and community‑driven governance.

A Shared Story of Learning, Land, and Connection

Dunbar Forest stands at the intersection of research, youth development, and community technology. It is a reminder that the EUP’s future is rooted in its ability to connect people—across generations, across disciplines, and across the land itself.

By weaving Dunbar Forest into the work of 4‑H and the EUPConnect Collaborative, the region strengthens its capacity to learn, adapt, and lead.

References

: Michigan State University, Infrastructure Planning and Facilities. Real Property Holdings – Chippewa County (Dunbar Forest). https://ipf.msu.edu/real-estate-and-capital-planning/real-estate-operations/property-holdings-summary/Chippewa-County
Michigan State University, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Dunbar Forest. https://www.canr.msu.edu/dunbar/
Michigan State University AgBioResearch. Dunbar Forest Resources & Reports. https://msu-prod.dotcms.cloud/dunbar/dunbar_resources_and_reports
Michigan State University Extension. 4‑H Environmental & Outdoor Education. https://www.canr.msu.edu/environmental_outdoor_education/
Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District. EUPConnect Collaborative. https://www.eupschools.org/eupconnect
Mississippi State University Extension. 4‑H Forestry Project Examples. https://4h.extension.msstate.edu/forestry