MICHIGAN FORESTS FOREVER TEACHERS GUIDE

LAND SURVEY

Using a plat book for your county:  Sometimes, obsolete plat books can be obtained at no cost.

1.  Find your Township and city / town / village / property.  On a township map (36 sections), color in the section where your school, home, and/or school is located.

2.  Determine how many acres are in your township and how many acres are owned by the county or state or federal government.  What other large landowners are in your county or township?  Who are they?  How many acres do they own?  What are their names, addresses, and phone numbers? 

3.  Pick a land parcel and using terms in the plat book (township, range, section), describe where in Michigan the parcel is at? 

Plat Book:  Each county has a plat book (not a plot book).    It is a bound document with maps showing ownership.  Maps are usually arranged by civil township.  Maps show ownership parcels, owner names, parcel acreage, and sometimes provide additional data.  Landowners are indexed in alphabetical order.  Very good land survey background is usually contained in the first couple pages of a plat book.  They can be purchased through county tax offices, country registrars, 4-H clubs, and other sources.  Oftentimes, the costs are around $15-20, but this will vary.  If earlier editions of plat books can be acquired, it is an interesting exercise to see how ownership and parcel size has changed over time.   Generally, parcel size decreases. 

Teacher Guide Link

	This website was developed and created by Michigan State University Extension for the teachers of the State of Michigan.

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