DNR, MSU invite Michigan communities to participate in trail-planning partnership

If your community could benefit from improved access to and maintenance of local trails or waterways, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University want to hear from you.

Now in its fifth year, this DNR-MSU partnership allows students from the MSU Department of Community Sustainability’s Trail Building, Law and Policy course to help five Michigan communities with their trail-planning efforts.

As part of the class, the students work with community leaders to identify their trail needs and priorities. The resulting student-crafted plans identify potential improvements and provide a framework for future development of a community’s local trails or waterways. Previous cohorts of the class have planned trail systems for communities that include:

• The city of Sault Ste. Marie (Chippewa County)
• The village of Cassopolis (Cass County)
• Calhoun County
• Clearwater Township (Kalkaska County)
• The city and township of Charlevoix (Charlevoix County)

MSU’s students also benefit from the program.

“This course has been a revelation and inspiration for many of my students in helping to understand the details of the trail-planning process, and how their efforts can contribute to a more vibrant trail system in a community,” said Bob Wilson, the course’s instructor. “Students get real-world experience out of the classroom and often open career opportunities for themselves.”

Apply today

Interested municipality leaders who would like to be considered for involvement in the spring 2027 project should contact the DNR’s statewide trails coordinator, Tim Novak, at NovakT8@Michigan.gov. Space in the program fills quickly, and the DNR and MSU will work with interested communities to determine whether a project is a good fit for the upcoming course.

“Trail planning can be challenging for communities because it requires a lot of time, coordination and technical knowledge,” said Novak. “These students can help provide the resources needed to address challenges and capitalize on communities’ unique opportunities, while also gaining the invaluable experience of working on a hands-on project.”

Looking for your next trail inspiration? Michigan’s thousands of miles of state-designated trails provide opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding, off-road vehicle riding, snowmobiling and more. Find maps, check closures, learn trail etiquette and more at Michigan.gov/DNRTrails.