Dear Neighbor,
We Michiganders love our rivers, lakes, parks, and wild spaces. The Great Lakes hold 20% of the world’s fresh water, fueling our economy, supplying drinking water to millions, and sustaining a rich, diverse environment. Our forests, parks, and trails are home to the plants and animals we love to see — and to all of us who live,
work, and play in these incredible landscapes.
That’s why I’ve been working hard to protect our natural areas and waterways. This work is critical. It’s about making sure all of us can enjoy clean drinking water, healthy lakes, and safe outdoor spaces, now
and for generations to come.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent you. If you have any questions, want to comment on pending legislation, or need help resolving issues with the state government, please contact my office.
In service,
Sue Shink
State Senator
District 14
SenateDems.com/Shink
You Don’t Need a Passport If Your…
- Entering on foot or by bicycle
- In a school or public transit authority bus
- Operating a snowmobile (note: tow vehicles still require a passport)
- Driving a Michigan-registered vehicle with one of the following plates:
- Ex-Prisoner of War
- Disabled Veteran
- Medal of Honor
- Congressional Medal of Honor
More information is available online michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
Visit a park near you
Waterloo Recreation Area is not just the biggest state park in the lower peninsula — it also has the most different plants and animals living in it! Close to all of us in District 14, you can hike, bike, horseback ride, boat, picnic, camp, and swim at Waterloo Recreation Area! Different activities have different starting points, so you will want to go online to find the right entry point for your activity! Visit michigan.org/property/waterloo-recreation-area.
Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve offers over 1,000 acres of birdwatching and hiking. It’s associated with the Underground Railroad, so it has a bit of history, too. It is located at 14801 Arnold Rd., Brooklyn.
Jackson County has 18 parks waiting for you! I searched “Jackson County MI Parks” online to find an easy-to-use list, including the Cascades and Vandercook Lake County Park, which includes, among other activities, swimming
and boating and is just beautiful.
Washtenaw County Parks offer swimming, picnicking, golf, disc golf, and just hanging out. I searched for “Washtenaw County Parks” online to find a great list of all the options.
The Border to Border Trail, also known as the B2B, is a 10 ft wide, ADA accessible paved pathway consisting of six different trail corridors that connect you to cities, parks, and a great time in Washtenaw County (and it connects to Jackson County at the Waterloo Recreation Area).
Sen. Shink Speaks with DNR Staff at Waterloo’s Eddy Discovery Center
Looking for fun opportunities across the state? The Pure Michigan and Michigan State Parks websites will tell you about where you might enjoy visiting in Michigan!
Protecting Michigan’s Air, Water, and Natural Beauty
For years, Michigan residents have demanded stronger action to combat climate change and protect natural resources. It’s a big part of the reason I got involved in politics! My Democratic colleagues and I are working
to move Michigan toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. These actions not only address environmental and health concerns but also support local communities and promote economic growth:
- Passed the Clean Energy Future Plan to diversify the
economy, strengthen Michigan’s position as a clean
energy leader, and ensure protections for workers,
landowners, and farmers. - Repealed a law that blocked stronger environmental
standards, enabling Michigan to tackle issues
like algae blooms, the Flint water crisis, and PFAS
contamination. - Introduced legislation to restore local control over
plastic waste, allowing communities to ban or limit
plastic bags. - Invested $7.5 million in Urban and Community
Forestry to increase equitable access to the urban
tree canopy that promotes mental and physical health. - Invested $2 million in wetland restoration, with a
quarter of this funding for urban wetlands.
Investing in Our Recreation Opportunies
We introduced “Michigan the Beautiful” legislation to protect our parks and natural areas, so all Michiganders have places to enjoy the outdoors, while also supporting local jobs in tourism, conservation, and outdoor recreation. We delivered millions of dollars in funding for parks and trails!
- $3 million for the Border-to-Border Trail
- $2 million for cultural resource management
- $2 million for park development in Northfield Township
- $780,000 to expand outreach and access to parks
- $500,000 to assist state water trail organizations
- $450,000 for Safe Routes to School in Columbia School District
- $300,000 for renovations to Jackson’s MLK Equality Trail
- $250,000 for an inclusive, ADA compliant park in Brooklyn
Living in Michigan, you’re never far from a lake. If you are going out on a boat or personal watercraft to enjoy the Michigan summer or go fishing, then you are likely going to need a Boating Safety Certificate.
Online: Take a boating safety class at BoatEd.com. After you finish the class, you must pay the course fee and pass the final exam to print off your permanent Michigan boating safety certificate.
In Person: The DNR’s Recreational Safety Education Class Database has in-person classes available throughout the year and across the state. The Boater Safety Education classes are a few hours long, and you will get your boating safety certificate upon successful completion of the final exam.
For more information on boating in Michigan, including locations of in-person boating safety classes, visit Michigan.gov/Boating.
If you enjoy kayaking, the DNR keeps a list of launch sites on their website. You can check out the nearest DNR kayak launch sites at: michigan.gov/dnr/about/accessibility/kayak-launches
Share Your Thoughts with the DNR at Upcoming Meetings
The DNR is committed to giving Michigan residents the opportunity to share input and ideas on policy decisions, programs, and other aspects of natural resource management and outdoor recreational opportunities. One important avenue for this input is at meetings of the public bodies that advise the DNR and, in some cases, also set policies for natural resources. Contact NRC@Michigan.gov if you’d like to attend public meetings.