The Friends of the Shiawassee River organization endorses Proposition 1 on the Michigan ballot this November.  This widely supported ballot measure will continue funding for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, the State’s very successful program to direct revenues from oil and gas leases to parks, public lands, and protection of the environment.  

The Trust Fund has funded a number of important park improvements along the Shiawassee River and Prop 1 will make funding available to increase access to rivers and lakes, help improve parklands, and protect lands that help ensure clean water.  This valuable parks program is not funded by our tax dollars; rather it directs the royalties paid by industries who extract resources from public lands back to protecting our natural resources.  Currently, there is a cap on how much funding the Trust Fund receives; Prop 1 would lift that cap and ensure a future stream of funding for park improvements and public land protection.  

Since its creation in 1976, the Trust Fund has helped expand recreation opportunities and conserve Michigan’s land and water throughout the State including all 83 counties.  In the Shiawassee watershed, Trust Fund dollars have been used, among other things, to make improvements at Henderson Park, protect headwaters in Springfield Township, provide trails in Linden and Argentine Township, provide access at Cole Park in Chesaning, and fund the park improvements currently underway in Corunna around the site of the former dam.  

The Friends is not a political organization and we are proud of our non-partisan engagement with all constituents who care about the Shiawassee River. We are supporting Prop 1 because it is good policy for the State of Michigan that can help us carry out our mission to care, share, and enjoy the Shiawassee River.  Prop 1 is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, business and environmental organizations, hunters and anglers, park advocates, unions, and farmers.  To see all endorsements and learn more go to miwaterwildlifeparks.com

On November 3 vote with the river in mind - Vote Yes on Prop 1