All research activities within state parks, recreation areas, boating access sites, rail trails, state forest campgrounds and state trailheads requires a land use permit.
Contact for questions and sending application:
Alicia Ihnken, Stewardship Analyst (PRD Research Coordinator)
Parks and Recreation Division
E-mail (preferred method of submittal): IhnkenA@michigan.gov
Mail: PO Box 30257, Lansing, MI 48909-7757
Fax: 517-284-6129
Application Process:
Please complete a commercial/non-event use permit application.
Attach a separate research proposal document to the permit application. At a minimum, this proposal must include:
- Names of all people to be included on permit (including research associates/students).
- A map or detailed description of study area location(s) within the park(s) - indicate on a park map if possible.
- Schedule - start and end dates for field work in the park(s). Note that use permits will only be issued through the end of one calendar year, at which time the applicant must submit a brief progress report and renewal request.
- Describe the need for the research.
- Explain why this research should be done at this location.
- Describe any expected benefits of the project to the natural or cultural resources at the location and/or to more effective protection or management of those resources.
- Methods - include a description of any plant or animal collection, potential damage to vegetation and a description of all equipment and plot markers that will be used on site and for how long they will remain on site.
- Type of report expected from this project (i.e., refereed journal article, thesis, dissertation, book, unpublished report) and projected completion date of report.
Please allow up to three weeks for the application to be processed from the time that a complete application is received.
Use permit applications for research do not need to be accompanied by any application or review fees. Most research projects will require no fees, bonding or insurance, but will require submittal of a report at the conclusion of the project in place of monetary payment.