Michigan's Natural Resources Trust Fund awarded $45 million to support 75 land acquisition and park development projects across the state, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced. The funding leverages nearly $64 million in local and matching funds for a combined $108.9 million investment in public land and outdoor recreation.
"By partnering with local communities, we're expanding access to the outdoors, protecting our natural resources, and creating more places where people can live, work, and play," Whitmer said.
The awards mark the 50th anniversary of the Trust Fund, which was established in 1976 and funded through revenues from state-owned oil, gas, and minerals. To date, the fund has awarded nearly $1.4 billion to state and local governments for land protection and recreation development.
Among the projects receiving funding are major state acquisitions. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will acquire nearly 22,650 acres in the Keweenaw Peninsula for $6.5 million, consolidating state-managed land for recreation and natural resource protection. Another $1.5 million will acquire 460 acres adjacent to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The state will also acquire over 1,400 acres of forestland for $5 million, including all of Turtle Lake and nearly 2 miles of Turtle Creek corridor.
Local communities are also receiving substantial awards. East Bay Township received $4.8 million to acquire an easement on 333 acres for the Ridge Nature Preserve. Saugatuck Township received $2.5 million to acquire 119 acres on the Kalamazoo River, including more than 2,200 feet of river frontage. The city of Muskegon received $730,200 to acquire 2 acres adjacent to Hartshorn Municipal Marina.
Numerous development projects are also funded statewide, including trail extensions, ADA-accessible amenities, and facility improvements across Michigan.