At its annual meeting Thursday, the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) announced this year's award winners. Michigan Cares for Tourism, a statewide organization that helps to restore Michigan's historic attractions, is among those winners. Following are two releases issued by NASPD. We think many of our subscribers will find this news of interest:

Sept. 12, 2016

Lewis Ledford
NASPD Executive Director
P.O. Box 91567
Raleigh, NC 27675
919-218-9222
lewis@naspd.org 

Michigan Tourism Group Receives National Honor

The National Association of State Park Directors today announced its annual award recipients for contributions and support of state parks and state park systems across the United States. “It is always great to recognize the amazing supporters that give of themselves to America’s State Parks,” commented Dominic Bravo, NASPD President.

NASPD recognized the contributions of Michigan Cares for Tourism with a President’s Award for a statewide organization. The award was presented Thursday at NASPD’s annual meeting at French Lick Resort, French Lick, Indiana.

Michigan Cares for Tourism, a 100 percent volunteer, 100 percent give-back partnership was created by Patty Janes, PhD, a professor at Grand Valley State University, and forged between Michigan tourism organizations Travel Michigan (the Pure Michigan brand manager), Indian Trails, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

The mission of Michigan Cares for Tourism, known on social media as #MC4T, is to unite groups to help restore Michigan’s historic attractions, learn about the state’s tourism destinations, and network across industry segments, ultimately to enhance visitors’ experience, and to be more involved professionals.

Since 2014, nearly 900 tourism professionals from Destination Marketing Organizations, attractions, lodging properties, transportation organizations, parks and recreation sites, professional associations, universities and others have volunteered time and talents to support Michigan cares for Tourism “voluntourism” events. These efforts provide $307,000 in labor and supply savings for MDNR at four historical locations, including Waterloo Recreation Areas’ Historic Mill Lake, Belle Isle Park, the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, and Fayette Historic State Park.

Based on the national non-profit Tourism Cares, the group offers a multi-day event that includes experiencing the highlights of the host community, followed by a full-day volunteer event. Each participant pays $50 to participate in the experience, as well as paying for his or her lodging. Food, entertainment and volunteer materials are provided, as well as a free T-shirt.

Indian Trails’ motor coaches with stops along routes from the four corners of Michigan provide travel to and from the event at no charge to riders. When they arrive, participants enjoy the food, beer and wine, and hospitality of the most unique places in the region, all planned by the host community, most often the local convention & visitor’s bureau, as a way to show off what makes their place special. In the past, this has included trout farm and glass bottom boat tours, free tickets to a Detroit Tigers game, visits to museums and a maple syrup farm, and private pace car rides at Michigan International Speedway.

After a busy day of adventure in Michigan’s hidden tourism gems, the participants stay at the host lodging option, which provides a special Michigan Cares for Tourism rate. 

The next morning, teams are randomly assigned and given their project for the day. Each host venue is responsible for creating the scope of work for the project, as well as the associated materials list and total volunteer capacity. This plan determines what each team will do for the day, and what MC4T needs to be donated prior to the event, as well as how many participants can register. The last two events have been sold out, with waiting lists.

Volunteer work may include basic manual labor tasks, such as brush clearing, painting and staining, but has also offered hand-on experience in plastering, archaeology and invasive species identification and eradication.

This year’s group will work on the Felt Mansion in Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The 98-year old mansion and carriage house are popular tourist destinations and need the extra care that Michigan Cares 4 Tourism volunteers can provide.

Patty Janes’ foresight and organization in creating Michigan Cares for Tourism has made a significant difference. These historic sites are no longer degrading because of the lack of attention and upkeep and these projects will keep them in good shape for many more years.

The added benefit of networking and partnering between Chambers of Commerce, Tourism Businesses, hospitality students and Michigan State Parks is one worth repeating in other states. 

The mission of the Association is to promote and advance the state park systems of America for their own significance, as well as for their important contributions to the nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy. Collectively, America’s State Parks include more than 10,250 areas encompassing over 18.3 million acres, and received 760 million visitors in 2015.

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Sept. 12, 2016

Lewis Ledford
NASPD Executive Director
P.O. Box 91567
Raleigh, NC 27675
919-218-9222
lewis@naspd.org

America’s State Parks Group Confers Awards

The National Association of State Park Directors today announced its annual award recipients for contributions and support of state parks and state park systems across the United States.

“It takes vision, leadership, resources and unrelenting effort to care for our state parks,” stated Gov. Jay Nixon, Missouri, who provided the keynote address at NASPD’s annual meeting Thursday at French Lick Resort, French Lick, Indiana. “At the end of the day, it is well worth the investment,” he continued. “America’s parks and forests, wildlife and waters, historic sites and monuments, are unique assets – opportunities to improve our health, our economy, our environment and our quality of life.”

NASPD recognized the contributions of six organizations and individuals Thursday. They were:

• Priscilla E. Geigis, the director of MassParks in the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), received the Distinguished Service Award for her long-term, sustained record of professional accomplishment in the field of parks and recreation. Ms. Geigis’ has been dedicated to efforts to get kids – and kids at heart – connected to the great outdoors, which fosters a healthy lifestyle and promotes a shared stewardship of resources.
  
  
• The Arkansas Naturalist Organization was recognized with a President’s Award for a state-wide organization. The organization was honored for its incredible contributions to the State Parks of Arkansas through its ongoing volunteer activities. Since its inception in 2007, this organization of approximately 400 members state-wide has worked tirelessly to keep Arkansas in its natural state.
  
  
• Michigan Cares for Tourism received a President’s Award for a statewide organization. The 100 percent volunteer, 100 percent give-back partnership was created by Patty Janes, PhD, a professor at Grand Valley State University, and forged between Michigan tourism organizations Travel Michigan (the Pure Michigan brand manager), Indian Trails, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
  
  
• The Friends of Darling State Park was recognized with a President’s Award for a local organization. The Friends of Lake Darling State Park in SE Iowa State Park formed their non-profit group of volunteers in 2001 with their mission statement “Make the Great Park of Lake Darling Extraordinary.” Beginning with small work projects at the park, such as shingling roofs, picking up litter and cleaning grills, they have increased their numbers and projects to carry out the mission of preventing the deterioration of the lake and park facilities.
  
  
• Martin MacDonald of Missouri received a President’s Award for his work with the Missouri state parks system. MacDonald, the director of Conservation for America’s leading outdoor retailer, Bass Pro Shops, has served as the company liaison to Missouri State Parks. His deep commitment to promoting outdoor recreation, especially to getting more children outdoors and away from electronics, has established a partnership between the Missouri park system and Bass Pro Shops that has a tremendous impact on visitors to the state.
  
  
• Tom Earnhardt of North Carolina received the 2016 Ney Landrum Park History Award. Earnhardt was honored for his commitment, skills and determination in becoming a primary historian of North Carolina’s state parks and the natural resources they protect. As producer, director, writer, narrator, videographer and benefactor, he developed an hour-long documentary, Saving the Best: North Carolina State Parks at 100, which coincided with the state’s 100th anniversary in 2016.

“It is always great to recognize the amazing supporters that give of themselves to America’s State Parks,” commented Dominic Bravo, NASPD President. 

“America’s state parks and the people who visit them are the prime beneficiaries of the outstanding contributions from these organizations and individuals,” Lewis Ledford, NASPD executive director, said. “Taking just a few moments to recognize and thank them for their efforts is the least we can do when evaluating all they have done to improve the quality of life and recreational opportunities in their communities.”

The mission of the Association is to promote and advance the state park systems of America for their own significance, as well as for their important contributions to the nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy. Collectively, America’s State Parks include more than 10,250 areas encompassing over 18.3 million acres, and received 760 million visitors in 2015.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.