Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

March 23, 2009
The Department of Natural Resources will host a series of public meetings across the state in April to discuss conservation priorities for the department and the state of Michigan. The Conservation Town Hall meetings will be led by DNR Director Rebecca Humphries, with the assistance of the Michigan State University Extension Service. Visit the Town Hall Web page

"These meetings are a chance for the DNR to discuss with a broad range of recreational enthusiasts how to best invest in conservation during these tough economic times," said Humphries. "As the department charged with managing the state's natural resources, we want to ensure we are making the best possible decisions in meeting our mission and ensuring a natural heritage for the future."

All the meetings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. The meetings are scheduled for:

PAST Monday, April 6, at the Prince Conference Center Great Hall at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, located at 1800 E. Beltline SE.

PAST Wednesday, April 8, in Rooms 100 A-B-C at Davenport University in Midland, located at 3555 E. Patrick Rd.

Monday, April 13, in the Michigan Room of the Bottum University Center at Northern Michigan University, located at 540 W. Kaye Ave. in Marquette.

Tuesday, April 14, in the meeting room of the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, located at 1213 W. Civic Center Dr. in Traverse City.

Monday, April 20, in the banquet room of the Novi Civic Center, located at 45175 W. 10 Mile Rd. in Novi.

Among the topics Humphries will discuss with participants are the role of the DNR in natural resources management, land management, how best to recruit new outdoor enthusiasts, the priorities for the future, and what citizens value the most about their outdoor activities in Michigan.

Humphries encouraged anyone interested in outdoor recreation and natural resources to attend the public meetings, including hunters, anglers, trail riders, campers, boaters, mountain bikers, hikers, birdwatchers, and representatives from resource-based industries.

Be prepared to be involved in a round table brainstorming session. I attended the meeting in Midland and it was nothing like a "Townhall Meeting" where you expect an open mic and meaningful back and forth discussion with the Dir. Humphries. She opened the meeting and then had everyone discuss at their tables the important topics. One spokesperson is to volunteer to be up front to voice the tables concerns. So make sure you have at least one horse trail friendly table to discuss the great loss of trails around our state and the economic impact equestrians lend to this state.

The whole meeting is recorded. We did have a good amount of "horse trail discussion" in Midland and Rep. Joel Sheltrown was there and sat with the horse group! Has anyone invited the Traverse area Reps?

I just thought they could've ran the meeting better to allow more specifics to be discussed.

Midland Daily News had a run down.

[www.ourmidland.com]

Just a note...which I thought was interesting... When you check in, they ask if you've recieved an invite letter, they had a list. Not sure why, or WHO got the special invites? 

Sounds like the typical MDNR stacking the deck everywhere they go to be sure that "their" agenda is pushed. They'll say..."Well this is what we came up with from our "townhall meetings!"  It's a bunch of crap and they need to be open to better communication with ALL USER GROUPS!!  Not just the ones they like!

Trail riders, PLEASE BE THERE TO SHOW THEM WE CARE FOR OUR TRAILS it is SO necessary for us to be involved and vocal!