Nearly 50 million dollars is going towards more than 130 recreational developments around Michigan.
Funding has been approved in a number of counties including Crawford, Emmet, and Saginaw.
One project is a land acquisition in Otsego County, where the DNR will use 912-thousand dollars to purchase 2100 acres.
The land will provide habitat for far-ranging wildlife like elk, black bear, and bobcat.
Jon Mayes is the Recreation Grants Unit Manager with the DNR.
“It’s also got a tributary coldwater trout stream to the Sturgeon River known as Stewart Creek, it runs through a good portion of the property so that’s going to offer excellent trout fishing we believe once they’re successful with the acquisition of the property. So there’s just a whole bunch of reasons for that property to be wildlife habitat for the future.”
Mayes said another project in Bay County will add 17 miles to the Iron Belle Trail, providing a bicycle route from Pinconning to Omer.
He said all projects have two years to be completed.
In the interest of disclosure, the DNR is a financial supporter of WCMU.