Mountain biking or snowmobiling on scenic forest trails, going afield for the state’s time-honored hunting tradition, bird watching in wetland areas – these and countless other ways to enjoy Michigan’s great outdoors are available across the state thanks in part to the careful, thoughtful way the Department of Natural Resources strives to take care of Michigan’s public lands.
The DNR is responsible for nearly 4.6 million acres of public lands owned by Michigan residents – state parks, trails, game and wildlife areas, forests and developed facilities such as boat launches or fish hatcheries. In 2013, the DNR created a public land strategy to guide public land ownership and ensure maximum benefit for residents and the state’s natural resources.
Michigan Pheasant Hunt Initiative mentored hunt at the Allegan State Game Area Farm Unit in October of 2019.
Right now, the department is in the process of updating that strategy and is encouraging the public to review and provide feedback on newly released draft components. Two upcoming DNR-hosted virtual meetings (Sept. 30 and Oct. 1) offer the opportunity to learn more about the strategy, ask questions andprovide feedback.
“While the reasons people use and value them vary, one thing remains constant – when public lands are well taken care of, they contribute significantly to the health of Michigan’s residents, environment and economy, in many ways driving our quality of life,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “We are offering these virtual meetings as one more way to reach as many people as possible.”
To participate in either meeting, use the following link from Microsoft Teams. You do not have to have Microsoft Teams on your computer to join. Please note that each link is specific to its meeting date and time; links will not be live or accessible until each meeting is “opened” by the moderator. If you don’t have access to a computer, you may call in using the phone number provided.
6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30
Join Microsoft Teams meeting
248-509-0316
Conference ID: 108 966 005#
1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1
Join Microsoft Teams meeting
or call 248-509-0316
Conference ID: 214 663 543#
The draft goals, strategies, measurable objectives and key actions – the critical framework for the plan’s next steps – along with other sections of the land strategy are now available for review at Michigan.gov/PublicLands and will be discussed in further detail during the virtual meetings.
For those who are unable to participate, the public meetings will be recorded and made available for viewing on the public lands website, along with additional updates that will be posted throughout the process. For special accommodations requests, contact Kerry Wieber, 517-643-1256, at least seven days in advance of either meeting.
Feedback can be sent to DNR-LandStrategy@Michigan.gov through Oct. 31.
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