FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, July 7th
Contact: Tim Minotas, tim.minotas@sierraclub.org
Governor Whitmer invests $150 million into Local Parks and Recreation
LANSING, MI - In a historic announcement on Tuesday, Gov. Whitmer pledged a $150 million investment into Michigan’s state parks and recreation facilities. This funding comes in the form of federal relief dollars from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and accompanies another $250 million that Governor Whitmer proposed to invest in Michigan’s parks and trails last month.
The governor’s announcement marks an important investment into Michigan’s economy, natural resources, local communities, and environment. Tourism and outdoor recreation are vital to our state’s economy, supporting approximately 126,00 jobs and billions of dollars in state and local tax revenue. Our parks and recreation areas represent all things Pure Michigan, providing wonder and awe to Michigan residents and tourists alike. Without funding, these sites cannot be maintained and enjoyed properly. This funding will also finance land conservation, supporting the ecological benefits of our land and helping maintain healthy environments. Governor Whitmer’s proposal will help local communities to maintain and manage natural spaces and parks, as well as increase access to them so that everyone can enjoy the great outdoors.
“It is great to see this type of funding into our state’s outdoor areas,” said Tim Minotas, Legislative and Political Coordinator for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Michigan has so much natural beauty to share, but it is impossible to preserve and maintain these spaces without funding, especially when we are seeing record numbers of people visiting our parks. This funding means more people in our communities will be able to explore and enjoy our parks and position us to protect them for generations to come.”
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide, and over 150,000 in Michigan. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org.
