The Lansing Motorcycle Club (LMC) was named a Department of Natural Resources Partner in Conservation at the regular meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission Jan. 9 in Lansing. LMC, with its club grounds located in Missaukee County, has long participated in volunteer activities with the DNR.

"The Lansing Motorcycle Club has been an advocate of the DNR and natural resources conservation for many years," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "Their generous gifts of time, energy and manpower have helped us complete many special projects from state forest cleanups to removing trespass encroachments. LMC is one of our strongest advocates for sustainable state forest management."

LMC members have removed more than 75 cubic yards of trash - more than 25 truckloads - from public land, primarily in Kalkaska, Missaukee and Crawford counties. They have worked on various special projects with the DNR, including trespass encroachment cleanups, scrap tire removal and helping with projects involving community service workers. LMC members initiated several tree planting projects in the Kalkaska area, each along an off-road vehicle trailhead or an ORV trail. The club has planted over 38,000 trees since 2005.

Additionally, the LMC participates in the Michigan Department of Transportation's Adopt-a-Highway program, cleaning up a large portion of M-55. Rather than put "Lansing Motorcycle Club" on the Adopt-a-Highway sign, they asked to have "Michigan Coalition for Clean Forests" on the signs to give free advertising to the DNR's Adopt-a-Forest program.

"LMC often offers trail rides or races with the tree planting to get ORV users active in protecting and restoring state land," said DNR Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Chief Lynne Boyd. "In addition, LMC members provide ORV trail and route maintenance on the North Missaukee ORV Trail and Route and the West Higgins Lake Route every year."

"The work LMC does to restore public land and improve trails ensures our state forests will be enjoyed by generations to come," Humphries added. "They are a fine example for the motorcycle community, and we appreciate all their efforts."

Individuals and organizations are nominated for the Partner in Conservation Award by DNR employees for outstanding volunteer efforts to assist the department in natural resources protection and conservation. The award is given out six times a year at NRC meetings.

Editors please note: Photos of the Lansing Motorcycle Club receiving their Partner in Conservation Award are available online at http://www.michigandnr.com/ftp/OutReach/.