Upper Peninsula forest lands will benefit from a round of federal grants announced this week.

In fact, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota are in line to receive money for land, water and forest conservation projects.

The U.P.’s slice of this particular federal pie is part of $5 million granted to the three states to improve forest health for wildlife on almost 12,000 acres.

Another $1 million will be granted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to enhance sustainable management of private forestlands throughout Michigan.

In all, Michigan received $40 million funding for five projects, with the remaining three projects aimed at water conservation measures downstate.

The U.P. projects will focus on conserving essential habitat for threatened and endangered species.

It will be led by the American Bird Conservancy and the State of Wisconsin in collaboration with Michigan, Minnesota and 25 local partners.

Marquette, Baraga, Iron and Dickinson counties will be involved, but the program won’t be limited to those four counties.

The $1 million awarded to the DNR’s Forestry Division will train private and public sector professional foresters to work with landowners to implement best management practices combating soil erosion and sediment runoff from timber harvests.

We view all of this as good news. Natural resources here and elsewhere throughout the Great Lakes Basin is among the cornerstones of local life and economic well-being.