Martens were once widespread across Michigan, but were totally extirpated from both Peninsulas after the massive clearcutting and land conversion resulting from the logging era. A reintroduction effort in 1980s restored two populations of martens in the Lower Peninsula, one near the Pigeon River Country State Forest, and one in the Manistee National Forest. 

The LRBOI Natural Resources Department has engaged heavily in management and research of the marten population in the Manistee National Forest. We work closely with the US Forest Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and Grand Valley State University to study marten populations and inform land and timber management to protect and enhance habitat for marten in the Lower Peninsula. To date, the LRBOI NRD has directly conducted or funded research on marten movement and space use, resting site selection, diet and prey selection, and genetic variation.