Sen. Pappageorge recognizes Royal Oak resident, other state parks committee members during Conservation Week
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
LANSING — Royal Oak resident Todd Scott was recognized by the Michigan Senate Wednesday for his work as a member of the Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee in developing the new state park funding plan, said Sen. John Pappageorge.
“I commend Todd and other members of the committee on working tirelessly to find a new and creative way to sustain our state parks,” said Pappageorge, R-Troy. “Preserving our state’s green spaces for all to enjoy is a top priority.”
Scott and other members of the committee, formerly known as the Citizen Committee for Michigan State Parks, received the White Pine Award of Environmental Excellence on the Senate floor as part of Michigan Conservation Week. The Senate awards this honor to individuals and groups who assist the Legislature in its constitutional duties to preserve and protect the state’s natural resources.
Committee members were also joined by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Director Rebecca Humphries and members of the DNRE staff.
Public Acts 32-35 of 2010 provide Michigan residents the option to purchase an annual park pass known as a “recreation passport” for $10 when paying their annual vehicle registration fee. The new funding program, which was created by the parks advisory committee, will begin on Oct. 1, 2010.
The committee was presented with two white pine trees, one donated by the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association and Gee Farms of Stockbridge and the second donated by the Ingham County Soil Conservation District.
According to the DNRE, Michigan has 98 state parks and recreation areas and maintains more than 1,000 boating access sites. While the state’s park system is one of the largest in the nation it is tied for last place in public funding support.
Michigan’s state parks have not received state tax support since 2004.
For more information on recreation passports, visit: www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or contact the Recreation Division Office at (517) 373-9900.
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Editor’s note: A photo of Sen. Pappageorge and Todd Scott is available for download on the Senate Majority Photowire.
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