The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board recommended Wednesday that the Michigan Legislature approve 68 recreation development projects and 17 land acquisitions totaling $41.7 million be funded in 2025.

The board this year considered a total of 122 applications seeking over $53.4 million in funding. In a competitive process, all eligible applications were evaluated based on scoring criteria approved by the Trust Fund board.

The panel recommends funding to state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions aimed at furthering access to public outdoor recreation.

This year, the board recommended $22.5 million for development project grants and $19.3 million for acquisition grants.

Inside those amounts, there were 58 development grants totaling $18,913,000 and nine acquisition grants totaling $7,412,600 recommended to be awarded to local units of government. In addition, 10 development projects totaling $3,590,000 and eight acquisition purchases totaling $11,850,000 were recommended for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“From fantastic land purchases like a $4.2 million property that will connect additional Michigamme Highlands habitats to Craig Lake State Park in Marquette County to a $400,000 project to develop the Nakwema Trails in Charlevoix County, these grant recommendations by the board will make significant improvements to outdoor recreation across our state,” Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen said.

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest and earnings on funds derived from the revenues of state-owned oil, gas and minerals.

Over the past 48 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1.3 billion to state and local units of government, across 2,930 allocations, to develop and improve recreation opportunities in Michigan.

“Each year, the board is presented with a wealth of deserving projects and acquisition plans that we must assess for funding,” said Trust Fund Board Chairman William R. Rustem. “With so many worthwhile endeavors, it makes our job to score and decide which projects to fund tougher all the time.”

Brad Garmon, senior strategic advisor and executive director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, said his office is happy to join in celebrating this latest round of transformative outdoor recreation land acquisitions and development projects.

“Outdoor recreation is not only vital to our state’s health and well-being – providing more access to restorative places and local parks – but it also supports the state’s efforts to attract and retain talent; support small businesses; and fuel innovation and economic prosperity,” Garmon said. “The Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office is excited to continue to partner closely with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to connect people, places and projects to the resources, collaborations and funding opportunities that make Michigan a world-class, four-season outdoor recreation destination; a beautiful place to access a healthy and adventurous outdoor life; and home to several of the biggest outdoor lifestyle brands in the country.”

The Trust Fund board's recommendations will go to the Michigan Legislature for review as part of the appropriations process. Upon approval, the Legislature will forward a bill to the governor for signing.

A list of the final recommendations made by the Trust Fund board is available at Michigan.gov/MNRTF.