The polygons within this shapefile are the boundaries of Dedicated Habitat Areas for interior core forest dependent species that were developed by DNR staff and approved by the DNR Director in October 2014 following staff and public reviews. The polygons were developed through spatial analysis of DNR-managed lands, primarily considering cover type and forest inventory data, with consideration of other designations, presence of forested natural community element occurrences (from the Natural Heritage Database), and known occurrences of interior core forest dependent species. Areas with the lowest edge to core ratios and most contiguous forest canopy cover were selected. Most areas are greater than 500 acres. Species listed in the 'Species' attribute are those that have been confirmed either within or in the vicinity of the area and for which it is believed the area could provide habitat, with the exception of inclusions of 'American marten' in the northern Lower Peninsula, which are based upon a habitat suitability model. Confirmation of species is based upon species element occurrences in the Natural Heritage Database, through the Breeding Bird Atlas, or through DNR trapping data.