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This has been a big month for Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas as we enjoyed two major milestones. First, Algonac State Park hosted the 1 millionth campnight reservation for the year - a level of use we have not seen since 2005.
We also celebrated the launch of the Globe Building Outdoor Adventure & Discovery Center. The new facility, several years in developoment, will be located along the Detroit Riverfront at the site of the former Globe Trading Company, 1900 Atwater Street. The center will provide residents and visitors of all ages with an innovative destination offering hands-on, interactive experiences in outdoor recreation at Detroit's Riverfront.
In November our park staff gears up for the upcoming hunting season. You'll find some helpful hunting information in this issue.
Enjoy the late fall in Michigan's state parks and recreation areas. Relax. Settle into the quiet and find your focus as the holiday hustle bustle ramp up, but be sure to stay tuned. We're working on lots of new and exciting programs and activities that will get 2013 off to a great start.
Acting Bay City District supervisor George Lauringer (center) and a Halloween-costumed "prize patrol" descended on Algonac State Park campground's Harvest Festival Weekend to present Elizabeth (left) and George Angerer (right) of Roseville, Mich., with a Pure Michigan prize package for being the 1 millionth campnight reservation in Michigan State Parks for 2012-- a number the state parks have not seen since 2005.
The Angerers, who said they have enjoyed camping in Michigan's state parks for many years, received a $100 gift certificate from Gander Mountain, complimentary camping for the weekend, Pure Michigan apparel and a cake from VG's bakery of Marine City to share with fellow campers.
Michigan state parks have reported a strong surge in campground visitors this year with a 7-percent increase in advance reservations over the 2011 season. Camping in Michigan's state parks has become even more cost-friendly with the introduction of the DNR's Recreation Passport. The Passport, which in 2010 replaced the previous park stickers, was popular in 2011 and has seen 27 percent of Michigan residents checking "yes" for the Passport this year.
Additionally, the DNR's newly expanded options in alternative lodging; the increase in its award-winning Recreation 101 programs that offer expert instruction on 50 different kinds of recreational activities; group events such as outdoor movie nights; and educational programs like the well-attended Meteors & S'mores astronomy program have also increased the number of park visitors.
Most of Michigan's state parks now offer camper cabins, year-round occupancy yurts, cottages and lodges through the state parks' central reservation system. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has launched its long-awaited Globe Building “Outdoor Adventure & Discovery Center” that will be located at 1900 Atwater Street along the Detroit Riverfront at the site of the former Globe Trading Company. The center will provide residents and visitors of all ages with an innovative destination offering hands-on, interactive experiences in outdoor recreation.
The $12.8 million, 42,000 square foot facility will house a ropes challenge course, an archery range, simulated experiences for kayaking, fishing and skeet shooting and instructional and hands-on areas where visitors can learn life-long outdoor skills such as pitching a tent or building a campfire. Other activities will focus on natural resources management with sections on tree planting, erosion control, fish hatchery, biology of a healthy stream and a simulated logging experience. The intent is to reach out to Michigan educators with “extended classroom” opportunities that will complement teachers’ learning plans with integrated natural resources, biology an environmental lessons.
The Globe Building “Outdoor Adventure and Discovery Center” is one step in a multiphase project involving harbor renovation, park improvements, installation of play equipment and trail development geared toward creating a downtown Detroit destination where more people can learn about Michigan’s natural resources and recreational options.
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Many Michigan residents assume that tax dollars fund the DNR’s conservation work, but less than 5 percent of the DNR’s budget comes from general tax dollars. For the last 75 years, those who hunt, trap, shoot and fish have funded the vast majority of wildlife conservation in Michigan through their purchase of equipment and licenses.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Pittman-Robertson (PR) Wildlife Restoration Act which has provided more than $262 million for wildlife conservation in Michigan since 1937. These funds, which come from a federal tax on the manufacturing of firearms, bows, crossbows and accessories, are used for projects that benefit Michigan birds and mammals – projects like improving wildlife habitat, managing wildlife populations, research and hunter education. The more people who buy hunting licenses and equipment in Michigan, the greater percentage of this federal funding our state can receive.
In 1950, a similar law called the Dingell-Johnson (DJ) Sport Fish Restoration Act created a tax on fishing gear and boating fuel. Like PR funds for wildlife agencies, DJ funds are allocated to state fish agencies for sport fish restoration.
Share this message with the hunters and anglers in your life and thank them for helping Michigan’s wildlife thrive! To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/itsyournature.
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 A fully accessible hunting blind is available by reservations at the Rifle River Recreation Area in Lupton.
The cabin is insulated and offers six feet of clear space for maneuverability. A solar powered control system allows the blind to be raised from ground level to twenty feet in height.
The hunting locations are dispersed along a short, primarily flat quarter of a mile trail constructed with compacted aggregate and adjacent to accessible parking.
The blind can be reserved for hunting, photography, or wildlife observation by persons with disabilities by contacting the recreation area at 989-473-2258.
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As firearm deer hunting season approaches in Michigan (and with many other seasons already under way) the DNR reminds hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to begin their outdoor adventures with Mi-HUNT at www.michigan.gov/mihunt.
The multi-layered app can be customized to fit specific outdoor interests and trip-planning needs. With Mi-HUNT it is possible to:
- View 7 million acres of DNR and United States Forest Service lands and printable hunting maps highlighting the vegetation of most interest to hunters.
- View detailed information on Hunting Access Program lands and view or print downloadable maps with all HAP lands;
- View detailed information on state game and wildlife areas, including information on wildlife species and Wildlife Division management activities;
- Target specific types of habitat, create waypoints and load this information directly into the users personal GPS; and
- Use simplified and enhanced legends as well as complete instructional videos where users can watch and learn how to use all of the Mi-HUNT application features.
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 Passport Perks is a shopping discount program for Michigan residents who have purchased a Recreation Passport for their vehicle through the Secretary of State. Discover the latest deals that can be yours at www.michigan.gov/passportperks.
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