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May 30, 2018
Contact: Marc Miller (DNR), 517-284-6432
New advisory body will work to broaden Michigan’s outdoor recreation opportunities, partnerships
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Resources Commission have announced the formation of an advisory body to identify new collaborative opportunities and further broaden a base of support for outdoor recreation and natural resources stewardship within the state. The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council is composed of leaders in Michigan’s outdoor recreation business community, reflecting the manufacturing, retail and service sectors, as well as employers in health, community finance and other leading industries.
The council’s creation recognizes the tremendous economic contributions of the state’s outdoor recreation opportunities and businesses and accessible natural resources, as well as the positive effect those collective assets have on Michigan’s quality of life.
“Enjoying the great outdoors in many different ways is a significant driver of our state’s economy, and a big part of what draws people to visit, live and work in Michigan,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “The creation of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council will pay dividends in both expanding the outdoor recreation economy and further supporting the enjoyment and stewardship of natural resources for all of Michigan.”
Millions of people participate in some form of outdoor recreation every year, and a recent DNR study found Michiganders spent 2.6 billion days a year engaged in these activities. A national Outdoor Industry Association study states that outdoor recreation generates $26.6 billion in consumer spending each year in Michigan and supports 232,000 jobs.
“This effort
will create partnerships that can grow the outdoor recreation economy, as well
as increase recreational opportunities and access for everyone – residents and
visitors alike,” said NRC Commissioner Chris Tracy, who will chair the Outdoor
Recreation Advisory Council. “It’s a win-win situation.”
The DNR also
plans to hold public regional listening sessions to learn more about the needs
and goals of outdoor recreation businesses and unlock potentially innovative
ideas about delivering quality outdoor recreation experiences
“There are
many potential connections to improve the relevancy of natural resources and
outdoor recreation for Michigan,” said Vicki Pontz, NRC chair. “Recommendations
that support and improve talent and business recruitment and retention in our
state, connect outdoor recreation to healthy living, and anticipate emerging
trends in recreation, are immensely valuable.”
The Outdoor
Recreation Advisory Council is modeled on similar efforts in eight other
states. The Michigan council will be the first in the Midwest.
DNR Director Keith Creagh and
Pontz jointly appointed members to the council. In addition to Tracy, they
include:
- Suzanne
Miller Allen, director of Community Responsibility, Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan, Michigan’s largest health insurer.
- Bo
Brines, owner of Little Forks Outfitters, a Midland sporting goods store.
- Troland
V. Clay, president and CEO, Mno-Bmadsen, an investment enterprise of the
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.
- Chris
Lampen-Crowell, co-owner of Gazelle Sports, a running gear retailer with five
Michigan locations.
- Linda
Hubbard, president and COO of Carhartt, Inc., a work and outdoor apparel manufacturer.
- Jonathan
Jarosz, executive director, Heart of the Lakes, a conservation organization
representing the state’s land conservancies and affiliate organizations.
- Andy
Lindsay, VP of Sales Americas, Groupe Beneteau Cadillac Operations.
- Chris
MacInnes, president and co-owner of Crystal Mountain, a ski and golf resort in
Benzie County.
- Tracy
Mayer, owner of Backcountry North, a sporting goods retailer with three
Michigan locations.
- Steve
Nadolski, vice president of commercial accounts, AMROCK, a real estate title
company, and part of the Rock Venture family of companies.
- Jeff
Poet, president and co-owner of Jay’s Sporting Goods.
- Matt
Ruiter, general manager of Velocity USA, a manufacturer of bicycle wheels.
- Chuck
Smith, CEO of Hemisphere Design Works, manufacturer of kayaks, fishing boats,
canoes, pedal boats and hunting/fishing accessories.
- William
Smith, CFO of Detroit RiverFront Conservancy.
- Lindsay
Struve, store manager, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) in Ann Arbor.
- Paul
Vitrano, vice president of global government relations, Polaris Industries,
manufacturer of ORVs and snowmobiles.
- Dennis
West, president of Northern Initiatives, a community development financial
institution.
The council
also will benefit from two ex-officio members representing state agencies:
- Claire
Stevens, for Director Kirk Steudle, Michigan Department of Transportation.
- Brenda
Stewart, for Director Jeff Mason, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Part of this
council’s charge is to identify data-collection mechanisms to provide better
service to outdoor recreation enthusiasts and offer opportunities to
entrepreneurs. The council also will recommend ways to identify potential
improvements for outdoor recreation infrastructure in order to satisfy outdoor
recreation demand in Michigan.
The council
will make recommendations to the DNR and Natural Resources Commission on ways
to improve partnerships, collaborative strategies and policies that will
increase the outdoor recreation economy, employment and consumer spending, and support
conservation and public recreation assets.
For more
information on the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council, contact Marc Miller,
the DNR’s deputy director for regional initiatives, at 517-284-6432 or millerm55@michigan.gov.
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