Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund
Protecting Natural Beauty, Supporting Outdoor Recreation
Since its creation in 1976, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) has been a cornerstone of Michigan’s conservation and recreation strategy. The fund ensures that revenues from the extraction of natural resources are reinvested into preserving public lands and creating new outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come.
Funding Model: How MNRTF Utilizes Restricted Funds from Natural Resource Leases
MNTRF is a restricted fund dedicated to supporting the public acquisition of land for resource protection and outdoor recreation, and the development of public recreation projects. It is financed through interest and earnings generated from revenues derived from state-owned oil, gas, and mineral resources.
Grant Distribution
The MNRTF awards grants through a competitive process managed by the Michigan DNR. Funding is available for land acquisition and recreation development projects, with proposals evaluated based on public access, natural resource protection, recreational value, and community need.
The MNRTF has touched every corner of Michigan. Its legacy is visible in the community parks, nature preserves, public fishing piers, and forest trails that define our state’s outdoor character. Preserving and expanding this fund is essential to our identity and our economy.
Since its creation in 1976, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) has been a cornerstone of Michigan’s conservation and recreation strategy. The fund ensures that revenues from the extraction of natural resources are reinvested into preserving public lands and creating new outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come.
Funding Model: How MNRTF Utilizes Restricted Funds from Natural Resource Leases
MNTRF is a restricted fund dedicated to supporting the public acquisition of land for resource protection and outdoor recreation, and the development of public recreation projects. It is financed through interest and earnings generated from revenues derived from state-owned oil, gas, and mineral resources.
Grant Distribution
The MNRTF awards grants through a competitive process managed by the Michigan DNR. Funding is available for land acquisition and recreation development projects, with proposals evaluated based on public access, natural resource protection, recreational value, and community need.
The MNRTF has touched every corner of Michigan. Its legacy is visible in the community parks, nature preserves, public fishing piers, and forest trails that define our state’s outdoor character. Preserving and expanding this fund is essential to our identity and our economy.
Call to Action: Urge Swift Passage of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund
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Michigan’s parks, trails, and public lands are waiting; your voice can help move them forward.
mParks and Heart of the Lakes are calling on you to contact your legislators today and urge them to swiftly approve the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) project recommendations. Both House Bill 4392 and Senate Bill 184 include critical appropriations for 85 projects across 43 counties, totaling $41.7 million. Submitted and reviewed through a rigorous process, these projects are shovel-ready and essential to local communities, but legislative delays are holding them back. We ask the Legislature to approve one of these bills before July 1 to ensure communities can move forward with construction and avoid the loss of matching dollars or missed seasonal timelines. Unrelated negotiations or political demands should not hold up these vital projects. |
How You Can Help:
Questions? Need help crafting your message or finding your legislator? We're here to support you. Whether you're looking for tailored talking points, assistance identifying your legislators, or guidance on how to make your outreach more impactful, mParks and Heart of the Lakes are ready to help. |
Key Talking Points: Why the MNRTF Matters
- MNRTF is one of Michigan’s most successful conservation programs—for nearly 50 years, it has funded parks, trails, natural areas, and outdoor access in every corner of the state.
- This year’s funding supports 85 projects across 43 counties, totaling over $41 million in investments that will improve community infrastructure, protect natural resources, and create new opportunities for outdoor recreation.
- Communities have been waiting since December 2024, when the project recommendations were made. Further delay risks missing the 2025 construction season and forfeiting local matching funds.
- Local agencies plan around this annual grant cycle. Disruption causes delays in project timelines, increases costs, and prevents residents from benefiting from improved parks and trails.
- These aren’t abstract numbers—these are real projects: new trails, expanded access to rivers and lakes, upgraded playgrounds, improved safety and accessibility, and conserved public lands that shape the Michigan experience.
- MNRTF investments support public health, local economies, and quality of life. Parks, trails, and public lands are where families gather, children play, and people connect with nature.
