Dear Neighbor ,
Our state is home to bountiful parks, lakes, and wild spaces that not only provide generous natural resources but also contribute to the Michigan way of life — and it’s up to all of us to preserve the integrity of our environment and outdoor spaces.
And as chaos continues to unfold in the federal government, I’m doing everything in my power at the state level to provide security for our environment and our residents. I’ll always continue fighting to safeguard our Great Lakes, our state parks, and our natural resources — no matter what we’re up against
As always, I’d love to hear from you about proactive ways we can work together to protect Michigan’s environment. Please
feel free to reach out to my office to share your perspective this or any issue — we are here to serve you.
Winnie Brinks
State Senator
District 29
Tackling Pollution, Protecting our Drinking Water, & Investing in our Environment
Everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves a healthy community that supports their well-being and a high quality of life. But for far too many Michiganders, that has not been their reality, including right here in West Michigan. So many of our neighbors have been burdened by environmental contamination, including toxic PFAS in our drinking water – and tackling this injustice has been a significant chapter of my career. Together, my Democratic colleagues and I have:
- Championed legislation to hold polluters accountable for leaking dangerous contaminants into our environment, making it easier for those harmed by pollution to seek justice.
- Passed legislation that requires schools and child care facilities to install water filtration systems to protect our children’s drinking water and health.
- Increased fines for illegal dumping in urban and rural communities alike. Invested in lead service line replacements in our state’s most overburdened communities.
- Provided funding for infrastructure grants for several Grand Rapids parks and Wyoming’s City Center project that improves walkability and trails linking to greenspace.
Enjoying Michigan’s Great Outdoors
Explore with a Recreation Passport
A recreation passport is an easy way to access Michigan’s state parks, trails, historic sites, boat launches, and more. The purchase of a recreation passport also supports the protection of our state’s natural spaces and remains good for use year-round. Passports are valid for one year or until your license plate expires.
Free National Park Days
You and your loved ones can visit Michigan’s beautiful national parks for free on August 4 and September 27. On these days, all entrance fees will b e waived for national these days, all entrance fees will be waived for national parks across the country. National parks in Michigan that you can visit include the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Isle Royale National Park.
Our national park units – such as the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, and more than 1,100 miles of the 4,800-mile North Country National Scenic Trail — are always free.
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