With less than 15% of the DNR’s annual budget coming from general tax dollars, new and creative revenue sources are vital to fulfilling the department’s mission.

“We are open to a variety of sponsorships and partnerships to help people enjoy and appreciate Michigan’s natural and cultural resources and, at the same time, highlight the many businesses that are growing the outdoor recreation industry and the state’s economy,” said Kristin Phillips, DNR Marketing and Outreach Division chief.

Examples of sponsorship/partnership opportunities include:

• Advertising in the annual hunting digest or fishing guide, reaching hundreds of thousands of Michigan hunters or over 1 million anglers. Find more information about advertising opportunities at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.
• Joining the “These Goods are Good for Michigan” program. This collection of partners works with the DNR to raise awareness and support through revenue sharing – on products or services of interest to outdoor enthusiasts – for state parks, trails, waterways, and fish and wildlife species restoration. If you’re interested in becoming a partner, contact Maia Turek at 989-225-8573.
• Expanding visitor services and experiences throughout the DNR parks and recreation system by becoming a concessionaire. The department’s “outdoorpreneur” partners include concessions, restaurants, gift shops, rental outfitters, water park operators, guide services and many others. Find current concession opportunities at Michigan.gov/StateParkConcessions or contact Lori Green at 989-889-9178, for more information.
• Bringing “up north” to downtown Detroit with sponsorship opportunities at the Outdoor Adventure Center, from exhibit and display sponsors to naming rights on the building. Those interested in promoting stewardship and enjoyment of Michigan’s natural resources have the chance to inspire millions annually through this hands-on, urban educational facility.
• Contributing to DNR visitor centers, which host nature exhibits and programs that help teach thousands of schoolchildren and families more about Michigan’s natural resources. For more information about exhibit and building sponsorship opportunities at Saginaw Bay Visitor Center in Bay City, Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac and Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center in Mattawan, contact Jon Spieles at 906-293-5131, ext. 4023.
• Sponsoring habitat projects on state-managed lands through the Adopt-a-Game-Area program and help grassland wildlife thrive. Support of this program provides valuable habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, pheasants, ducks, cottontail rabbits, songbirds and pollinators.
• Becoming a partner in the Iron Belle Trail Fund Campaign, which aims to create a seamless, 2,000-mile trail – with two distinct routes, one for bicycling and one for hiking – that connects Michigan from Belle Isle in Detroit to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula.

Businesses and organizations interested in these, or other, opportunities can contact Kristin Phillips at 517-284-6065 to discuss.

For a complete list of ongoing sponsorship and partnership options, bookmark the DNR Get Involved webpage, where new opportunities will be added as they become available.