The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Board of Trustees on Wednesday recommended to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm that 81 recreation projects and land acquisitions totaling $48.5 million be funded for 2008. The board had considered 159 applications for projects and acquisitions totaling $83.5 million, which were competitively evaluated based on scoring criteria developed by the board.

This is the largest amount the MNRTF board has recommended for grants in the history of the program.

"Michigan is blessed with natural resources and special places that should be protected and enjoyed for generations to come," said Governor Granholm. "These recommendations represent ways that we can ensure that Michigan citizens and visitors will be able to enjoy outdoor recreation now and in the future. I am pleased that many of the recommendations are designed to increase accessibility to outdoor recreation around the state."

The trust fund was established in 1976 to provide a source of funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and public outdoor recreation. The funding is derived from royalties on the sale and lease of state-owned mineral rights. In 1985, Michigan voters chose to make the MNRTF part of Michigan's constitution, ensuring this program's future.

"The recommendations made today by the Trust Fund board will provide important outdoor recreation opportunities for Michigan families and help protect some of the places that make Michigan a conservation leader", said Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries. "The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund helps enhance the quality of life in our state for citizens and visitors, making Michigan a national leader in creating prime outdoor recreation opportunities for all."

This is the second year that some development projects were recommended to receive up to one-half of their proposed local match funding from the Recreation Access Initiative. The initiative is partnership between the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Midwest Community Foundation Ventures, the Michigan Park and Recreation Association and the DNR. The initiative is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The purpose of the initiative is to fund the development of outdoor recreation facilities that are accessible to all people of all abilities and to promote education and awareness of accessibility issues.

The initiative is comprised of $1 million granted to the DNR to award in conjunction with the MNRTF to local projects that demonstrate universal accessibility. This year, the projects selected for funding from the Recreation Access Initiative include the Chief Wawatam Park project in St. Ignace, the Oriole Park Site Development in Wyoming, the Reeds Lake Waterfront Park Development in East Grand Rapids, and the Rolling Hills Park Accessibility Enhancements in Washtenaw County.

The next step is for Governor Granholm to forward the recommendations to the Legislature for appropriation of the funds from the MNRTF. Typically, this part of the process is completed by the end of the summer following the board's recommendations.

Click here for the list of recommendations made by the Trust Fund board.