One of the biggest allocations is for the Keweenaw Peninsula (Photo: Michael George via The Nature Conservancy)
The latest funding comes through Michigan’s fiscal year 2027 budget, according to Michigan state government official site. It includes $45 million in Trust Fund grants for 75 land acquisition and park development projects. The grants are expected to combine with nearly $64 million in local and matching funds, creating a total investment of $108.9 million in public land and outdoor recreation. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will receive $6.5 million to acquire nearly 22,650 acres. The funding also includes $1.5 million for the DNR to acquire 460 acres next to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Another $5 million will help the DNR acquire more than 1,400 acres of forestland, including all of Turtle Lake and nearly two miles of the Turtle Creek corridor, to protect habitat and water quality in the Au Sable River watershed.
One of the biggest allocations is for the Keweenaw Peninsula. The land acquisition will consolidate state-managed land for recreation and natural resource protection. The land includes wooded hills, trout streams and wildlife habitats. The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund established to support the public acquisition of land for resource protection and outdoor recreation. s The fund is financed through interest and earnings from revenues generated by state-owned oil, gas and mineral leases.
Among the acquisition projects, East Bay Township will receive $4.8 million to acquire an easement on 333 acres known as the Ridge Nature Preserve. The DNR will also receive $1.6 million to acquire 354 acres of oak-pine barrens habitat in Newaygo County. The Detroit Riverfront attracts about 3 million people each year and has received more than $45 million in Trust Fund-supported community investment through different projects.
The project will protect public access and future trail connections to the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation trail system. The acquisition will connect the east and west units of the Muskegon State Game Area.