Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Grants - Development Grants

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) provides grants for natural resource protection and outdoor recreation. By law, no less than 25 percent of the trust fund can be used for development of public recreation facilities. Applications are evaluated on established criteria such as natural resource access and conservation, proximity to population clusters, applicant's committed matching funds, applicant's financial need, and priority projects of the trust fund board, such as trails, regional significance, public access to lakes and rivers, wildlife habitat and hunting access. Eligible applicants include state and local units of government, a limited number of school districts, or recreation authorities legally constituted to provide recreation. A DNR-approved five-year recreation plan is required to be eligible, which must be uploaded by February 1. The application process involves submitting a grant application in MiGrants by April 1, evaluation by department staff, recommendation by the trust fund board, and passage of an appropriations bill by the legislature and signature by the governor.