The State Park Stewardship Program was established in 1995 and operates within the Parks and Recreation Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The following primary goals have been established.

• The comprehensive inventory of all natural and cultural resources within Michigan's state park system (97 state parks encompassing 280,000+ acres). The inventory attempts to identify and monitor unique, rare and endangered species as well as significant historic and archaeological sites.
• The protection of park natural and cultural resources
• The restoration and management of Michigan's native ecosystems and preservation of the native species within them

Michigan state parks and recreation areas contain an abundance of significant natural features fundamental to the natural heritage of our state. With diligent attention and continued effort focused on the protection of these riches within our state parks Michigan will continue to be like nowhere else on earth.

To accomplish our mission, we rely heavily on a network of dedicated volunteers to collect native prairie seed, remove non-native weeds, participate in our Core Volunteer Steward teams and help with a variety of other stewardship activities.

To learn about prescribed burning check out this information on prescribed burning in Michigan State Parks

Program Contacts Include:
Ray Fahlsing
Stewardship Program Manager
517-335-4823 
fahlsinr@michigan.gov

Lisa Gamero
Stewardship Specialist
517-241-4789
gamerol@michigan.gov

Glenn Palmgren 
Ecologist
517-373-7844
palmgreg@michigan.gov

Bob Clancy
Ecological Restoration Specialist
517-241-2055
clancyr@michigan.gov

Tom Tucker

Stewardship Ranger

517-202-1378

TuckerT2@michigan.gov

Laurel Malvitz
Resource Steward
248-359-9057
malvitzl@michigan.gov