USA -(Ammoland.com)- With the holiday season under way and Giving Tuesday taking place tomorrow, Nov. 29, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is highlighting easy opportunities to support Michigan’s great outdoors.
This year, outdoor enthusiasts can consider making a contribution to a favorite park, trail or boating site to help maintain their favorite corners of Michigan for future generations.
Through the Giving Guide, outdoor enthusiasts can help improve and preserve Michigan state parks and recreation areas, trails and waterways.
The Giving Guide, established this year, helps Michigan state parks and recreation areas raise funds for featured projects.
“Many outdoor enthusiasts want to give back to the places they love most and to leave a lasting legacy,” said Miguel Rodriguez, promotional agent at the DNR. “While not every opportunity to give is included, this online tool can help donors understand the breadth of options available and provide instructions for donating. Our goal is for each donor to be able to make a personal connection to the projects they are funding.”
One example is the installation of an accessible beach mat at Harrisville State Park, which is perched on a beautiful strip of Lake Huron beach.
“Harrisville State Park’s accessible beach project was in response to a visitor’s desire to dip her toes in the water despite mobility challenges,” said Eric Ostrander, unit supervisor at Harrisville State Park. “Through the funds raised by the Giving Guide and other local donations, this longtime visitor was finally able to access the water’s edge after all these years.”
Accessibility to outdoor recreation for all visitors is a goal of the DNR, which is why the department has forged a partnership with Carter’s Kids to replace and create accessible, natural playgrounds in three parks each year.
“With a nearly $300 million infrastructure need in Michigan state parks, projects such as sewer and water line replacement and electrical updates are often prioritized over playgrounds,” said Maia Turek, statewide recreation programmer for the DNR. “As we look to the future of our parks, our future visitors are making their memories now, as children. That’s why we would like to create nature-based playgrounds hand-in-hand with Carter’s Kids to establish outdoor play as part of a healthy and active lifestyle.”
To explore these and other giving opportunities, visit the Giving Guide.
The guide allows donors to view a list of current projects by site location and each project’s associated costs. Donors can contribute to just a portion of the total or the entire project.
For more information or to discuss donations to projects not listed in the Giving Guide, contact Miguel Rodriguez at 517-284-6127 or RodriguezM2@michigan.gov.