At a recent public meeting on the possible creation of a new state multi-use trail in the Upper Peninsula, comments were heard from many recreational trail users who fully supported expanding the current trail system and expanding outdoor opportunities on state land.

But comments also were heard from individuals who opposed the new trail. Of major concern: the presence of trash and dumping sites along existing state trails in the region. If these trails had become magnets for litter, they wondered, what would stop new trails from becoming illegal dumping hot spots, too?

This argument is a prime example of why recreational clubs across Michigan are increasingly joining the fight to clean up litter and dumping along state trails. In order to gain public support for the creation of more trails, sportsmen's groups are partnering with the Department of Natural Resources and the Adopt-a-Forest program to remove the litter and trash, volunteering not only hundreds of hours of their time, but also providing equipment and donations to support the cause.

"The reality is that if trash dumping is seen as endemic to state trails, new trails won't receive the public support they need to be created, and existing trails could even face closure," said Michigan Adopt-a-Forest coordinator Ada Takacs. "Our user groups and stakeholders recognize this and are employing their ranks to volunteer and help clean the trails up. Once you've spent a day cleaning up paper litter, old couches, tires and even rusty refrigerators from the sides of otherwise-beautiful trails, it's only natural to adopt a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to littering or reporting others for littering."

In response to the complaints heard at the Upper Peninsula trail meeting, the Normenco Sportsman's Club, located in Menominee County, contacted the DNR and asked how they could help clean up a popular multi-use trail in Menominee and Delta counties. With assistance from DNR staff at the Escanaba field office, a two-day cleanup project was organized in June.

After two days of work, the 10 volunteers from the Normenco group covered five-and-a-half miles of trail, which resulted in the collection of seven-and-a-half tons of garbage and 278 tires. This particular cleanup effort was labor intensive due to steep ditches along the trail, which meant powerful trucks and towing systems were necessary to pull heavy refrigerators and couches up out of the ditches and off the trail -- equipment the club members worked together to provide.

The cost of the cleanup also was partly supported by Mr. Rental, an Escanaba business that donated half the cost of a rental trailer used to haul trash. The Department of Environmental Quality provided funding for tire disposal, while remaining expenses were covered by the DNR and the Adopt-a-Forest program, which is funded by grants from the Michigan Coalition for Clean Forests and many private corporations and individuals.

"The cleanup effort was a resounding success and the club members have begun actively recruiting other groups in the area to join in future Adopt-a-Forest events, with a goal of eventually covering the entire 38-mile trail," said DNR Escanaba Unit fire supervisor Keith Murphy, who assisted the club members with the cleanup. "The club members took the initiative to help the DNR clean up an existing trail because they believe in our commitment to provide recreational opportunities to a variety of trail users. They would like to see more trails in the U.P. and understand this is part of keeping our trail system going."

In recognition of the Normenco Sportsman's Club's efforts to clean up state trails, along with the hundreds of hours they donate in snowmobile grooming and in teaching hunter and snowmobile safety classes each year, the club will receive a Partner in Conservation award from the DNR at the Oct. 8 meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Ontonagon.

"This is just one example of a recreational club that has gone above and beyond to help the DNR achieve its mission and to improve the recreational experience for everyone," Murphy said. "I look forward to partnering with more groups, especially during these tough economic times when budgets are tight, to find new ways to get these important projects done."

According to Takacs, there are many opportunities just waiting for recreational groups that would like to help clean up public lands. By tracking reports from the public about litter and dumping sites, along with reports from DNR field staff and law enforcement officers, Takacs has compiled a map of at least 1,000 known trash sites across northern Michigan.

"We have plenty of spots that need a little TLC, whether your group would like to dedicate a few hours or even several weekends to the cause," Takacs said. "Each cleanup event can be tailored to meet the group's needs and I'm happy to help coordinate with local DNR staff who can assist with logistics, including providing keys to land that is gated, so trailers and other equipment can be utilized."

Groups interested in volunteering their time, or donating equipment or money to the Adopt-a-Forest program, along with anyone who would like to report dumping on public land, can contact Takacs at (989) 275-5151, ext. 2049. To learn more about the opportunities offered by Adopt-a-Forest, go online to www.cleanforests.org.