DNR conservation officer academy starts Jan. 3

Twenty-four potential new conservation officers will report Sunday, Jan. 3, in Lansing to attend the Department of Natural Resources' conservation officer training academy. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards-sanctioned academy will be led by the DNR's Law Enforcement Division employment and training section.

The 24 recruits will complete a 22-week training academy that includes 14 weeks of basic police training and eight weeks of more specialized conservation officer training. Following graduation, the probationary conservation officers will then complete 18 weeks of field training. During the first two years after field training completion, the conservation officers will complete four additional weeks of specialized training, including search and rescue training and marine, waterfowl, snowmobile and trapping enforcement training.

There are 22 men and two women in Recruit School No. 7. Seven of the new recruits are military veterans and three are previous law enforcement officers. Upon academy graduation, the recruits will range in age from 21 to 45.

DNR conservation officers serve a distinct role in Michigan's law enforcement community. They are certified police officers with the authority to enforce all of Michigan's criminal laws. As conservation officers, they also have unique training in a wide variety of other areas related to the protection of Michigan's citizens and natural resources.

Michigan currently has 213 conservation officers, which doesn’t account for upcoming attrition through retirements.

“Our goal is to establish and maintain appropriate conservation officer coverage for every Michigan county, and this recruit school furthers that goal,” said Gary Hagler, chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “In addition to protecting the state’s natural resources and assisting in rural and urban community policing, conservation officers often serve as first responders.”

Conservation officers routinely conduct lifesaving operations such as ice rescue and search and rescue.

In 2015, conservation officers performed a number of livesaving operations, including a November rescue of a lost hunter in Mackinac County and a lost hunter and deer tracker in Gladwin County, an October rescue of a lost and injured Gladwin County woman, a September lifesaving operation during a Pentwater fire, an August apprehension of an escaped Iosco County prisoner, and a March ice rescue on the Detroit River, among many more.

First Lieutenant Steven Burton, supervisor of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division employment and training section, noted that the DNR is actively recruiting for future recruit schools.

"Men and women interested in a career as a conservation officer should start the process now by taking the Michigan Civil Service exam and completing an online application for a future academy," Burton said.

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more about Michigan conservation officers at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.

TAS admin personnel should investigate this opportunity

Want to learn the finer points of applying for DNR recreation grants? Join DNR grants management staff in January for a workshop that will help make your applications more competitive.  

The statewide workshops, beginning Jan. 12, will cover scoring criteria and how to successfully complete an application.

Frequent comments and questions staff are asked will be worked into the program, as well as tips for getting the greatest number of points possible on your application. Staff will also walk users through the MiRecGrants program to make applying easier for applicants.

Check out the workshop in your area; registration is not necessary. If you have any questions, contact  your grant coordinator, or call 517-284-7268.

Village scores $45K Recreation Passport grant

Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that 33 communities across the state will share $1,348,700 in Recreation Passport grants. Funding for this program is derived from sales of the Recreation Passport, the $11 annual pass that grants residents vehicle entry at state parks and recreation areas throughout Michigan.

This year, Recreation Passport grant applicants sought funding for a broad range of public outdoor recreation projects, including playground development and renovations, dog park improvements, ice-skating rink development, trail and walkway development, park and picnic area improvements and improved access for those with disabilities.

The village of Newberry received grant funding in the amount of $45,000 to make improvements at Atlas Park. According to the DNR, the village project includes development of playground equipment, benches, picnic tables, grills and lighting.

The full list of grant recipients, grant amounts and project descriptions is available on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassportgrants.

Successful applicants clearly demonstrated projects designed to increase public access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities. The selected projects were chosen from a field of 45 grant applications seeking nearly $1.8 million in funding.

“These Recreation Passport grants go a long way in helping local units of government bring quality recreation opportunities to their citizens,” said Steve DeBrabander, DNR grants manager. “We are proud to work with these agencies so that, together, we can create world-class outdoor recreation resources statewide. The recreation industry plays an important role in moving the state’s economy forward by providing vital jobs and tourism in both urban and rural settings.”

Application materials for future Recreation Passport grants will be available by Jan. 1 at www.michigan.gov/dnr-grants. Interested individuals also may call DNR Grants Management at 517-284-7268 or write to:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Grants Management
P.O. Box 30425
Lansing, MI 48909-7925

Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.