The forests that ring Lake Superior are some of the most magical on the continent. At the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, in Copper Harbor, you’ll find the Estivant Pines. This 570 acres of old-growth pine has lured hikers for decades. But saving this stand of ancient timber was no small feat.

It started over 50 years ago and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with photographer and forester Charles Esshbach from Houghton, Michigan, about his work to protect one of the Upper Peninsula’s most remarkable natural treasures.

Tune in to learn how his story of conservation--from skiing in deep snow with his camera to the cooperation of classrooms around the region--has inspired generations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Estivant Pines are one of the last contiguous stands of old-growth white pines in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with some trees towering over 150 feet and dating back 500 years.
•  Grassroots efforts, including a committee of 17 citizens and even fundraising by schoolchildren, were critical to saving the sanctuary from logging in the 1970s.
•  Photography played a pivotal role in raising awareness, with Charles documenting the pines’ beauty and the destruction they faced, galvanizing public support.
•  The sanctuary’s preservation has inspired generations, creating a deeper understanding of the value of conserving natural habitats for future generations.
•  Conservation efforts have not only saved the forest but also educated the public, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility in the region.

Notable Quotes:

•  “You always know your backyard the best, and the Keweenaw is my backyard.”
•  “The kids led the way. School children raised money, from quarters dropped in buckets to can drives, to save these trees.”
•  “These trees are four to five hundred years old. It’s amazing that they’re still there.”
•  “Our little committee of seventeen people persevered through countless setbacks.”
•  “This is a piece of history - a legacy of what we’ve preserved and achieved.”

Resources:

• Estivant Pines Sanctuary Information: Estivant Pines (https://www.michigannature.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=locationgallery&action=listing&listing=110) 
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: NPLSF Website (https://www.nplsf.org/)

Be sure to tune in to this inspiring episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Charles’s incredible story of conservation and community dedication.

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