DNR honors 'the Big 400' with a Partners in Conservation Award

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Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 17, 2013

Contact: Maia Turek, 
989-225-8573 or Ed Golder517-284-6241


DNR honors 'the Big 400' with a Partners in Conservation Award

The Department of Natural Resources honored the Big 400 – a consortium of economic development and In early December, the DNR honored government agencies from a four-county area of southern Michigan – with a Partners in Conservation Award at last Thursday’s meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.

The Big 400 – so named because the area is roughly 20 miles by 20 miles, about 400 square miles – partnered with the DNR to help rehabilitate the buildings at Mill Lake, an environmental education camp in Chelsea, Mich., that had fallen into disrepair. The group not only gutted and refinished the cabins and dining hall, but “they accomplished in one day what would have taken six weeks for the DNR to complete because of the sheer volume of volunteers they attracted,” said Maia Turek, a recreation specialist with the DNR. Turek nominated the Big 400 for the award.

The four counties that make up the Big 400 include Ingham, Jackson, Livingston and Washtenaw.

Bob Pierce, the executive director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce and one of the founders of the Big 400, said the group was “absolutely thrilled” to be honored by the DNR.

“The Big 400 is a very grassroots, all-volunteer organization and this kind of award will certainly help enhance our mission, which is to build an economic model around outdoor recreational tourism and natural resources,” Pierce said.

Partners in Conservation awards are bestowed upon organizations or individuals who have been nominated by DNR staff in recognition of their outstanding contributions to natural resources in Michigan. 

Turek said the Big 400’s “forward-thinking” view of natural resources as economic assets to their communities is especially impressive.

To learn more about the Big 400 and the rehabilitation work that was completed at Mill Lake, visit www.thebig400.com. 


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.

/Note to editors: An accompanying photo is available for download below.

Caption details: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognized the conservation efforts of "the Big 400" - a consortium of economic development and government agencies from a four-county area of southern Michigan - with a Partners in Conservation Award at the December 2013 meeting of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC). Shown (L to R) are DNR Director Keith Creagh; Gary Jones, park manager at Waterloo State Recreation Area; Big 400 members Susan Lackey, Bob Pierce, Paul Cousins and Steve Hahne; and J.R. Richardson, NRC chair./