Dear Friend,

Since I took office, my administration has invested a record-breaking $780 million in our state parks, trails, and other outdoor facilities. Supported directly by the Biden-Harris administration?s American Rescue Plan, these historic investments have helped increase accessibility, improve infrastructure, and support local recreation businesses across Michigan.

We are also taking steps to protect and preserve our natural resources and lakes to protect Michigan?s nature for generations to come. As we kick off another busy summer of travel and outdoor fun, I?m excited to see how our work will improve the park experience for Michiganders and visitors alike.

I hope everyone has a chance to get outside this summer, enjoy a state park, and explore Pure Michigan!

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor

What Does Making Record Investments in Michigan's State Parks Look Like?

We know that our state parks are vital to our economy. They support our multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry and nearly 119,000 jobs across the state.

In 2022, I signed the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan into law, which included a big chunk of our total $780 million investment in state parks. The plan was funded directly by the Biden-Harris administration?s American Rescue Plan and helped strengthen our economy, increase tourism, and support thousands of small, outdoor recreation businesses.?Some of the projects funded by this investment include:

• A new state park in Flint
• Construction of wheelchair-accessible infrastructure
• Improvements to recreation facilities across the state including trails, boat launches, and harbors across the state

In 2019, we created the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to support and grow the outdoor recreation economy. The outdoor recreation economy?saw?double digit growth?in 2022 (the most recent year we?have data) for the second year in a row.??

The balanced, bipartisan 2024 state budget established the Nature Awaits program, which provides every Michigan fourth grader a free field trip to a state park ? learn more below.

Nature Awaits Program

The Nature Awaits program offers all fourth-grade classrooms a free experiential field trip to select state parks to support their classroom learning.

Learn how the Nature Awaits program helps students experience the great outdoors, and if you?re a teacher, be sure to sign up!

America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge

Last month, I was proud to announce that Michigan has joined the White House?s America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge. This challenge sets new national goals for the protection of our lakes, rivers, and streams and complements our ongoing initiatives to protect our lakes, rebuild Michigan?s water infrastructure, protect access to clean drinking water, and respond to climate change.

By joining this challenge, we are reaffirming Michigan?s commitment to protecting freshwater resources at home, across the Great Lakes region, and throughout the country.?

Brandon Road Interbasin Project

Last week, I announced that Michigan signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Illinois to cosponsor the construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. The project will prevent invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes.

Invasive carp, notably bighead, silver, and black carp, have the potential to outcompete other Great Lakes fish species, resulting in fewer fish like lake whitefish, perch, and walleye. If invasive carp were to enter and colonize in the Great Lakes basin, inland rivers and lakes would also be vulnerable.

Preventing invasive species from polluting the Great Lakes is vital to maintaining the natural function and beauty of the lakes. Michigan is home to 21% of the world?s freshwater?the world?s largest surface system of freshwater.

Together, we are protecting our Great Lakes and natural resources for generations of Michiganders to come.