Sponsorship Opportunities

The theme areas listed below are only proposed at this time.  A Planning Group is meeting to finalize the themes. While we have an estimate of the potential cost of these areas, we will have Request for Bids that will detail the final costs associated with the   various displays, exhibits or simulators.

Base Camp/Rock Climbing Wall
The base camp will show a traditional camp setting in a Michigan State Park or Forest. This setting will allow visitors to experience what it is like to camp.  Other features involve showing examples of flora and fauna, the importance of having a healthy forest, and the impact of exotic invasive pests and disease. 

A laboratory resembling a game area will show concepts and history related to trapping and waterfowl hunting and the importance to Michigan’s history.  Features in that area will be used to teach hunter safety.

An indoor pond area will be stocked with native fish and plants.  It will serve as a wet lab for macroinvertebrate and geological study.

The rock climbing wall will mimic different areas that can be climbed in Michigan state parks. Information related to the formation of the Great Lakes, geography, and land formations will be displayed. The rock wall will be used in conjunction with the ropes course when providing leadership development and team building activities.  

Ropes Course
Connecting the base camp and the rock climbing wall, the ropes course will allow visitors to experience being in tree tops viewing nesting habits of birds and hawks.  The ropes course will be used in conjunction with the rock climbing wall when providing leadership development and team building activities.  

Interpretative Center
Visitors will participate in lessons and presentations where various outdoor related topics will be discussed.  Staff from DNR Divisions will present topics related to pollution, fisheries, forest management, law enforcement, wildlife, and recreation.

Types of activities that could be done to complement presentations include building natural jewelry with replica fish scales and bones.  A 110-gallon tank showcasing salmon or other native fish would be located in this area. Scavenger hunts and/or geocaching challenges will start here.

Fishing Simulator
Visitors will climb aboard a boat and go fishing in Michigan’s lakes and rivers.  Safety on the water, fish species, water conservation, hatchery fish production, invasive species education, and habitat, lake, and stream management will be discussed.

Boating Simulator
Visitors will experience riding in a boat down a Michigan lake or river or kayaking down a stream.  Land, animals, and riverbank features one see’s when riding along a lake, river, or stream will be explored.  Other topics include river currents and flows, water environments, and small water species. 

Archery/Target Shooting Range
This area will allow visitors the ability to shoot at targets in a safe setting with an emphasis on archery safety and education, cross-bow shooting, etc.  Participants will be exposed to various types of targets and game animals.

This area will house virtual hunting and target shooting activities tied into guns, gun safety, and hunter education. Different hunting environments and types of game will be introduced.     

Educational Pods & Meeting/Conference Room Space
These areas will serve as meeting sites for groups visiting the Center and are located next to the Interpretative Center.  Audio-visual equipment will be located within each pod area to allow for group discussions and presentations.

Pods will be used to host recreational safety classes, host the “field day” portion of the DNR’s hunter safety class, and facilitate safety classes for snowmobiles and off–road vehicles.  These three 50-person classrooms can open up to a large 200 person room that when set up theater style can be used for corporate team building, or private adventure parties.

Virtual Playscape
This age-appropriate area will be for youth who may not yet be comfortable with the larger simulators and exhibits.  They will be able to engage in Recreation 101 type introductory activities like hunting, skeet shooting, fishing, boating and kayaking, and skiing. Many of these activities would involve the use of inter-active game systems like a WII or KINNECT.

Kids Playscape
This is an age-appropriate area for younger children with activities involving climbing logs, and trees, feeling nests and flowers, sitting in an eagle nest/bear den, or looking at fish.

Lobby/Reception Area
Visitors, guests, and tour groups arrive in this area and are greeted by staff/volunteers.  Staff will be available to provide assistance, give direction, answer general questions, and monitor activity at the entrance of building.  A large screen television will be positioned in this area to continually run promotional and recruitment materials. Resources about State Parks, trails, and harbors will be available. Glass showcases will display different exhibits and displays such as items used by Michigan Conservation Officers.  Walls will have vignettes of what is in the building and displays of wildlife related art and photographs.

Service Center
This combination garage, storage, and service center will be available to hunters and fishermen who need a meeting area with Fisheries, Wildlife, or Law Enforcement staff to address issues and concerns.  Access to the garage area will be available through a rear drive-up entrance.

Besides serving as working space, this area will allow visitors to observe displays related to DNR careers including a Conservation Officer truck, firefighter vehicles and equipment, fish stocking truck, Parks Ranger vehicle, etc.

Gift Shop Area
Various educational maps, photos, puzzles, stuffed animals, art, and books related to displays and exhibits in the Center will be sold here.  Design of the gift shop will lend itself to viewing the drop-off and front entrance area.

Contingencies, Additional Furniture, Equipment
This account will cover additional expenses not already in the budget.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to explore other ways of becoming involved with the project, please contact Miguel Rodriguez at (517) 241-4129 or at RodriguezM2@michigan.gov