Tuesday, October 6, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 12:30**Lunch will be provided at 12:30
(Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)

U of M Flint
7th Floor, Northbank Center
432 North Saginaw Street
Flint, MI

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
9:00 a.m. - Noon
(Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)

Van Buren Conference Center
490 South Paw Paw Center
Lawrence, MI

Thursday, October 15, 2009
9:00 a.m. - Noon
(Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)

SEMCOG Offices
Ambassador Room
535 Griswold
Suite 300
Detroit, MI

Objective
This workshop is designed to help communities understand the new criteria to evaluate applications to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF).  This workshop will provide an overview of the updated criteria for project selection by the MDNR (including a new emphasis on urban areas) and provide information on resources available to communities in assisting with preparing an application or developing a recreation plan.

Background
The foundation of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund includes natural resource based protection and use (land acquisition projects) and natural resource based recreation opportunities (development projects).  Beginning in 2009, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board of Trustees adopted a revised set of criteria to evaluate applications to the Fund.  The revised criterion includes special consideration for projects that incorporate collaboration, urban areas, trails, and renovation of an existing park, among other things.