Welcome to Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors, the first edition of a quarterly e-newsletter introducing the natural, cultural and historic resources of the state parks and recreation system. This vast, diverse network includes state parks, recreation areas, harbors, boating access sites, scenic sites, lighthouses and more.

Although we encourage everyone to GO-Get Outdoors and experience Michigan’s natural resources, this publication is called Inside because it invites you to the inside track on the abundant resources for you to enjoy today and share with future generations.

The future is now, and we are changing how we manage and challenging our staff to provide high-quality visitor service, to be more efficient, to be more energy conscious and to inspire new opportunities. We are guided by a new 17-member Citizens Committee for State Parks that represents the diversity of Michigan’s population and its recreation and natural resource interests.

Many challenges lie ahead, including addressing the enormous aging infrastructure, obtaining sustainable operational funds and inspiring new opportunities for under-represented groups who live and work in our great state and those who come to visit.

We hope this new communication link provides you with an opportunity to learn more about your state park and recreation system and will provide a mechanism for you to give us your valued ideas and comments. E-mail us at DNR-RecreationFeedback@michigan.gov with any comments or suggestions. Look for more surveys and additional interactive features in future issues. At any time, if you do not wish to receive this publication, please follow the links in your e-mail message to safely remove your name from this list.

Sincerely,
Ronald A. Olson
Chief of the Parks and Recreation Division