Scope and ContentIn 1898 a large portion of Lake Michigan shore, including most of what is now Saugatuck's Oval Beach, was purchased by the Forward Movement Association of Chicago. In 1918 Selden C. Adams, the manager of the Forward Movement Camp (later Camp Gray, now Presbyterian Camps) consulted with the Department of Forestry at Michigan Agricultural College (later Michigan State University) about management of the camp's property to limit erosion and maintain what was left of the natural forest. This was the reply, written by a Professor Sanford was printed in the June 27, 1918, Commercial Record. --- Michigan Agricultural College, Department of Forestry, East Lansing, Michigan June 17, 1918 Seldon C. Adams Forward Movement, Saugatuck Dear Mr. Adams: In regard to the report on the Forward Movement forests. It would probably be well to class these reports as A and B. Report A- The examination of the timbered area of the Forward Movement revealed very splendid forest conditions. Understanding that the object of management was the maintenance of an esthetic forest, the writer considered the same in splendid state of care and supervision. The present superintendent seems to be very thorough and the caretaker is looking after the cutting upkeep in good shape. There is a considerable number of dead and dying tees throughout the forest, which are doing no particular damage but which may be cut when necessity requires without in any way depleting the forest stock. There is nothing in the decay of these trees which in any way imperils the life of the stronger and more vigorous timber ... As it is desired to keep the natural effect wholly there is only one system of management, and that is the removal of dead and down timber as it occurs and this the writer thinks is being done in good shape. Thinning in Places Advised In many places thinning may be started at any time advantageously. The direct results of thinning are increased growth of the remaining timber and opening up of the forest floor temporarily. I do not advise the opening up of the forest floor can this forest over any large contiguous area, but rather in small spots of one-half to one acre in extent. Throughout the forest there were found to be large and remarkably well shaped, almost natural trees. It has been found by the writer that the clearing up around these trees for two or three rods, forming a circular area, about equal to the crown of the tree furnishes a very interesting and beautiful effect, the first effect being to enable the visitor to gain a view of the entire tree form. As to Sand Problems Report B -- This report is designed to cover the sand problems of the Forward Movement. Along the lake shore side of this forest are several blows caused by shifting sand. Some of these are lying quiet and require direct planting only to make them properly safe. Other blows are more or less serious and if allowed to remain as they are, or even to be continuously disturbed by camps, may form very serious damage in the course of the next few years. On Minister's Path is one prominent dune point upon which camps have been maintained previously, which is in serious danger of being carried away. Not only would the sand carry away the point, but it would destroy a large amount of beautiful timber on the slope in its path. It is recommended that camping on this point be discontinued and that steps to prevent further erosion be taken. In another extremity of the forest the writer found the most serious blow, which is a double-header, resulting finally in a vast mound known as Old Baldhead, which dune is historical, and another lying closer still to the forest, known as Little Bald Head. Dunes Traveling Rapidly I believe all these dunes are traveling at a very rapid rate, as evidenced by the removal of dunes at the shores and the blowing out of old ground covering, and other proofs which are numerous. It is recommended that if possible co-operative steps be taken to begin systematic control of Little Bald head and it is urged that this co-operation include the Forward Movement, the county of Allegan through its agricultural agent, and the M. A. C. department of forestry. Such a co-operation will demand a considerable amount of money, which should be forthcoming from many sources, owing to the fact that Old Baldhead rapidly approaches the mouth of the river, and is covering up valuable river shore property as well. Little Bald Head is traveling directly upon Forward Movement forest and is covering it up at considerable speed. It is recommended that the proper procedure in an effort to establish this , dune would call for extensive sand catching, temporary barrier and planting work at the extreme source of the blow, which is not far from the lake shore. A series of barriers and protective cover plantings would be required until the top of the dune was reached. In general the outlines of procedure is pretty well set forth in bulletin No. 79. The writer also wishes to add that little or no damage is done by tourists or others playing on the sliding sand on the east face of the dune. However, very extensive damage is done wherever sand cover is being destroyed on the western slope, and it is urged upon the Forward Movement to prohibit or discourage as far as possible the maintaining of open paths which may in any way encourage the starting of blows from the lake shore to the forest.