Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – Michigan / Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP)

Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – Michigan / Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) is sponsored by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The LWCF provides grants to states and local governments for the development of public outdoor recreation areas.

Air quality across the state is being affected by wildfire smoke. Before heading outdoors, get information on current conditions and alerts at Michigan. gov/MiAir, and learn about the state’s response to inform and protect the public at Michigan.

gov/EGLEWildfireSmoke. Department of Natural Resources * Managing your resources * Cheboygan River Lock schedule Go to Camping and lodging * Camping and lodging rates and operating dates Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more.

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Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below: * Hunter safety certificate * Hunting season calendar * Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below: * Algonac (St.

Clair County) * Bald Mountain (Oakland County) * Dansville (Ingham County) * Echo Point (Allegan County) * Island Lake (Livingston County) * Lost Nation (Hillsdale County) * Skoglund-Erickson (Marquette County) * Ortonville (Lapeer County) * Pontiac Lake (Oakland County) * Porcupine Mountains (Ontonagon County) * Rose Lake (Clinton County) * Sharonville (Jackson County) * Supply Road (Grand Traverse County) * Voyer Lake (Montmorency County) Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more.

USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Go to Morel mushroom hunting Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket. Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more.

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MacMullan Conference Center Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more. Find a great trail experience near you - whether you want to hike, bike, snowmobile or ride an ORV. From long, paved linear trails to rugged forest terrain, Michigan offers trail opportunities for all abilities and interests.

Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. * Carl T.

Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center * Michigan DNR Pocket Park * Hartwick Pines Visitor Center * Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center * Ludington State Park education programs * Oden Hatchery Visitor Center * Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center * Saginaw Bay Visitor Center * Tahquamenon Falls education programs * Wolf Lake Hatchery Visitor Center * Search for permits and more Go to Recreation Passport We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety.

Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below: * Law enforcement and safety Go to Education and safety * Recreational safety and hunter education * Learn about Michigan's species Recreational safety and hunter education Go to Recreational safety and hunter education Recreational Safety and Hunter Education Learn about Michigan's species Go to Learn about Michigan's species Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals.

Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below. * Reptiles and amphibians DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.

* Nature programs in state parks * Natural and historical education resources for home * Archery classes and clinics * Becoming an Outdoors Woman Go to Programs for educators DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.

* Academy of Natural Resources * Salmon in the Classroom * Wildlife classroom curricula * National Archery in the Schools Program Go to Managing your resources * Landowner/homeowner resources * State parks, trails and waterways * Rules, laws and enforcement * Creel Clerks & Angler Surveys * Cultural & Scientific Collectors Permit (Fisheries) DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat.

Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests.

* Resources for private forest land owners * Forest Products Industry * Commercial Timber Sales * Urban and Community Forestry Landowner/homeowner resources Go to Landowner/homeowner resources State parks, trails and waterways Go to State parks, trails and waterways * BIP strategic development plan * Permission to Use Public Land * Payment in Lieu of Taxes * Underground Natural Gas Storage Doing business with the DNR Rules, laws and enforcement Go to Rules, laws and enforcement * Regulation summaries and handbooks * County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information * Land Auctions and Sales * Recent Land Acquisitions and Exchanges * Michigan Grassland Coalition * Mission, vision and values * Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Mission, vision and values Go to Mission, vision and values Accessible recreation opportunities in Michigan * Color Blind Scenic Viewers * Trails and Scenic Sites Go to Boards and committees All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups * Accessibility Advisory Council * Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee * Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees * Forest Management Advisory Committee * Natural Resources Commission * Natural Resources Trust Fund Board * Northern Lake Michigan Islands Collaborative * Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees * Pigeon River Country Advisory Council * Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee * State Parks Advisory Committee * Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council * Trails Advisory Council * Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils * Upper Peninsula Habitat Workgroup * Urban and Community Forestry Council * Michigan Wildlife Council * Wolf Management Advisory Council Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR information on how to contact us * Customer Service Centers information about volunteer and donation opportunities News releases, closures, photos and more * Ice Storm 2025 Information * Conservation officer bi-weekly reports Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Go to Policies and Reports * Managing your resources * Cheboygan River Lock schedule * Camping and lodging rates and operating dates * Master angler and state record * Fishing Tournament Information System * Report observations and marked or tagged fish * Hunter safety certificate * Hunting season calendar * Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app * Algonac (St.

Clair County) * Bald Mountain (Oakland County) * Dansville (Ingham County) * Echo Point (Allegan County) * Island Lake (Livingston County) * Lost Nation (Hillsdale County) * Skoglund-Erickson (Marquette County) * Ortonville (Lapeer County) * Pontiac Lake (Oakland County) * Porcupine Mountains (Ontonagon County) * Rose Lake (Clinton County) * Sharonville (Jackson County) * Supply Road (Grand Traverse County) * Voyer Lake (Montmorency County) BackMorel mushroom hunting * Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park * Customer service centers * Michigan History Center * Outdoor Adventure Center * Ralph A.

MacMullan Conference Center BackRalph A. MacMullan Conference Center * Carl T.

Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center * Michigan DNR Pocket Park * Hartwick Pines Visitor Center * Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center * Ludington State Park education programs * Oden Hatchery Visitor Center * Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center * Saginaw Bay Visitor Center * Tahquamenon Falls education programs * Wolf Lake Hatchery Visitor Center * Search for permits and more * Law enforcement and safety * Recreational safety and hunter education * Learn about Michigan's species BackRecreational safety and hunter education BackLearn about Michigan's species * Reptiles and amphibians * Nature programs in state parks * Natural and historical education resources for home * Archery classes and clinics * Becoming an Outdoors Woman BackPrograms for educators * Academy of Natural Resources * Salmon in the Classroom * Wildlife classroom curricula * National Archery in the Schools Program BackManaging your resources * Landowner/homeowner resources * State parks, trails and waterways * Rules, laws and enforcement * Creel Clerks & Angler Surveys * Cultural & Scientific Collectors Permit (Fisheries) * Resources for private forest land owners * Forest Products Industry * Commercial Timber Sales * Urban and Community Forestry BackLandowner/homeowner resources BackState parks, trails and waterways * BIP strategic development plan * Permission to Use Public Land * Payment in Lieu of Taxes * Underground Natural Gas Storage BackRules, laws and enforcement * Regulation summaries and handbooks * County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information * Land Auctions and Sales * Recent Land Acquisitions and Exchanges * Michigan Grassland Coalition * Mission, vision and values * Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry BackMission, vision and values * Color Blind Scenic Viewers * Trails and Scenic Sites BackBoards and committees * Accessibility Advisory Council * Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee * Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees * Forest Management Advisory Committee * Natural Resources Commission * Natural Resources Trust Fund Board * Northern Lake Michigan Islands Collaborative * Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees * Pigeon River Country Advisory Council * Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee * State Parks Advisory Committee * Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council * Trails Advisory Council * Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils * Upper Peninsula Habitat Workgroup * Urban and Community Forestry Council * Michigan Wildlife Council * Wolf Management Advisory Council * Customer Service Centers * Ice Storm 2025 Information * Conservation officer bi-weekly reports /dnr/buy-and-apply/grants/rec/outdoor-rec Back to Department of Natural Resources Search is currently unavailable.

Please try again later. * Fishing guide and hunting digests * Buy a fishing or hunting license * Download the DNR Hunt Fish mobile app for licenses * Make a camping reservation online * Check hunt drawing results * See where fish are being stocked * See if I can burn today Unsupported Browser Detected The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended.

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Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP)Program provides matching grants to states and local governments for the acquisition and development or renovation of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities in qualifying areas. The ORLP is a program within the Land and Water Conservation (LWCF) Fund State and Local Assistance Program.

ORLP was initiated in 2014 as a complement to the LWCF formula grant program. In 2024, Congress passed the EXPLORE Act, which further codified ORLP, established program priorities, and expanded eligibility to Tribal governments. Congress allocates money from the LWCF for ORLP, which is then awarded to eligible entities through a competitive process.

In Michigan, this program will be jointly administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Department) and the National Park Service (NPS). Michigan's 2023-2027 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) assesses the existing outdoor recreation facilities and resources and growing demands for recreation activities and evaluates national and state trends.

Michigan's 2023-2027 SCORP ORLP ### Program competition goals The purpose of the ORLP Program is to 1) acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and 2) develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas. The ORLP Program merit review panel will make project selections based on the EXPLORE Act.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under “Forms and Information for Applicants” explains those in detail. ### Applicant eligibility Any unit of government, including Native American tribes, or any combination of units in which authority is legally constituted to provide recreation. Applicants must have a DNR-approved community five-year recreation plan to be eligible.

As designed, the purpose of the ORLP Program is to provide new or significantly improved recreation opportunities in an eligible qualifying area.

ORLP Qualified Areas are defined as: * An urban area that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or * two or more adjacent urban areas with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or * an area administered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe ### Eligible project types Acquisition or development for a wide range of outdoor recreation uses and facilities needed to support the use and enjoyment of the area.

Projects must involve publicly owned land or transfer of ownership by fee simple acquisition, to a public entity. ### Ineligible project types Indoor recreation centers and other buildings, such as nature centers or education centers; however, facilities to support the use of recreating, such as restrooms, can be eligible. Eligible applicants must submit an application in MiGrants no later than September 1, 2026.

The Department will submit the application and supporting documents in Grants. gov by November 1, 2026. An independent panel of outdoor recreation professionals reviews all applications.

Projects are scored based on their alignment with ORLP goals and merit review criteria. The Secretary of the Department of the Interior announces the projects selected for funding. Applicants have one year to finalize a grant agreement with the NPS if the project is selected for funding.

### Dollar amount available The minimum grant request amount is $300,000 and the maximum grant request amount is $15 million. Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Part 703 of P. A.

451 of 1994, as amended)/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-451-1994-III-4-1-ADMINISTRATION-703. pdf) ### Contact - Finance and Operations Division, Grants Management Section Contact Christie Bayus, program manager, at 517-242-8737 orBayusC@Michigan. gov, or the grant coordinator for your region * Forms and information for applicants * Notice of Funding Opportunity * Frequently Asked Questions * Forms and information for grantees * [](https://www.

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pinterest. com/MiStateParks) Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program Please view our directory listingfor general contact information. For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page.

In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more.

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