Contact: Ada M. Takacs 989-275-5151, Ext. 2049
Agency: Natural Resources

ADOPT-A-FOREST
PARTNERS HONORED AT AWARDS BANQUET

    GAYLORD--The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, along with other members of the Michigan Coalition for Clean Forests (MCCF), honored partners of the Adopt-a-Forest program who provided funds, services, and hard physical labor to rid public forest lands of illegally-dumped trash. MCCF members include the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, many corporate sponsors and over six thousand volunteers statewide.

The Partner Awards, recognizing outstanding efforts on behalf of Michigan's forests, were awarded April 30, 2001 at the Sylvan Treetops Resort in Gaylord. Natural Resource Commissioner Bob Garner (former host of the Michigan Out-of-Doors TV show) was the Master of Ceremonies. Representative Sandy Caul of Mt. Pleasant attended the event along with nearly one hundred members and supporters. "These partners and volunteers are vital to cleaning up Michigan's forests," commented Mindy Koch, Chief of DNR's Forest, Mineral, and Fire Management Division, "They give their time and money to protect the value of our forests. Over 8,000 pick up truck loads of illegally dumped household trash have been removed from public forestlands."
For information on how you can help Michigan's forests through the Adopt-a-Forest Program, contact Ada Takacs, Volunteer Coordinator, at 989-275-5151, extension 2049.
A list of awardees is attached.

Outstanding Volunteer Awards:
    Individual: Bernhard Ordernheimer
    Major Project State Land: Harrison Moose Lodge
    Major Project Federal Land: Mack Lake Homeowners Association
    Community Involvement: Springfield Township Parks and Recreation
    Inspiration Award: Tate Family

Lake Superior Awards: Consumers Energy; Louisiana Pacific-Alpena; Michigan Community Service Commission; O.I.L. Energy; Padnos Iron & Metal; Shell Oil E&P; Waste Management, Inc.; and Weyerhaeuser Company.
Lake Michigan Awards: Bank One; Glen's Markets; Jay's Sporting Goods; Merit Energy; and Northland Area Federal Credit Union.
Lake Huron Awards: Carter's Plus; Coyle's Restaurant, Catering, and Gift Shop; Eastern National Forests Initiative Association; Georgia-Pacific; Mead Paper Division; Sara Lee; and Taco Bells in Mid-Michigan.
Media Awards: 9 & 10 News; Ogemaw County Herald; and the Traverse City Record Eagle.
Founders Award: MichCon Foundation