(The Center Square) – The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board has officially recommended the Michigan Legislature fund 68 recreation development projects and 17 land acquisitions totaling $41.7 million in 2025.
The trust fund was first established in 1976 to help fund the government’s acquisition of land, as well as public outdoor recreation development projects.
“Outdoor recreation is not only vital to our state’s health and well-being – providing more access to restorative places and local parks – but it also supports the state’s efforts to attract and retain talent; support small businesses; and fuel innovation and economic prosperity,” said Brad Garmon, senior strategic advisor and executive director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office.
The most-expensive project is a land acquisition by Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources totaling $4.2 million, which will connect Michigamme Highlands habitats to Craig Lake State Park in Marquette County.
Scott Bowen, director of DNR, called the acquisition and the other recommendations “fantastic.”
“These grant recommendations by the board will make significant improvements to outdoor recreation across our state,” Bowen said.
Currently, the DNR manages 4.6 million acres of state-owned land, making it the largest landowner in the state. The federal government is the second-largest landowner, at 3.6 million acres.
This means that more than 22% of the state’s land is owned by either the federal or state government, ranking it one of the top states in the nation for publicly-owned land.
In the past 48 years since it was established, the trust fund has granted more than $1.3 billion to local and state governments to fund acquisitions and development projects. By law, 25% or more of the trust fund amount available for annual appropriation can be used for acquisition of public land. Same for recreational development projects.
Spending these funds help to “make Michigan a world-class, four-season outdoor recreation destination; a beautiful place to access a healthy and adventurous outdoor life; and home to several of the biggest outdoor lifestyle brands in the country,” said Bowen.
Of the $41.7 million of total recommendations, $26.3 million is going to local government entities, while more than $15 million will be going to DNR projects and acquisitions.
Funding for these projects is gathered through interest and earnings on funds derived from the revenues of state-owned oil, gas and minerals.
For the recommendations to move forward, the Michigan Legislature will have to approve them. These appropriations rarely meet with opposition from either side of the aisle.
