Consumers Energy Surpasses Land Restoration Target Ahead of Schedule

The project, managed by the utility’s professional foresters, focuses on land maintenance activities including the removal of invasive species, native tree planting, and the establishment of conservation easements. Greg Salisbury, senior vice president of electric distribution, noted that the company manages these tracts to reconcile economic and cultural needs with the necessity of providing power to 6.8 million residents. Beyond ecological restoration, the company has opened over 100 acres of private utility land for public access. This initiative supports 72 trails used for hiking, biking, and motorized sports, alongside recreational sites like the Kochville Township Trail and the Gaylord Area Snowmobile Trail. The utility also reported high engagement at its Ludington Pumped Storage facility, which hosted 18,000 campers and over 4,000 picnic visitors in 2025. These efforts involve ongoing collaboration with local governments and volunteer groups to maintain public access across the Lower Peninsula.