To: State Legislators and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

We, the undersigned Michigan Park Rangers, are united in our call for purposeful and immediate changes to our profession which will ensure long-term stability and strength for our state parks, state forests, trails, waterways, and those who protect them.

Park Rangers are entrusted with safeguarding our natural resources and the visitors who enjoy them. On a daily basis, we are considered and looked upon to be emergency responders, conservationists, educators, maintenance personnel, and peacekeepers throughout all state lands and waterways within the Michigan Parks System. Despite the critical nature of the work we perform, we continue to face often insurmountable challenges when performing our duties. Here are just a few examples:

• Inadequate training and improper resources, which limit our ability to effectively and safely fulfill our wide array of assigned duties.

• Insufficient staffing and available working hours. With many Rangers subject to seasonal layoffs and retaining less than 40% of career employees after five years of service, the Michigan Park System continues to struggle to accomplish its goals.

• Unjust compensation, which does not properly reflect our professions required certifications, skills, and job responsibilities.

These problems have compounded for decades, which has led to high turnover and poor working conditions, thus costing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources millions annually. Meanwhile, dedicated public servants are laid off, and contractors are hired to perform work which could—and should—be performed by experienced Park Rangers. This is not just fiscally irresponsible, it also undermines the value of the profession.

We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for the basic training, equipment, and resources needed to do our jobs effectively. Due to these working conditions, often Michigan Park Rangers must choose between the career they are passionate about or taking care of their families. We must reverse this course and give back the dignity and respect to these brave men and women who serve on the behalf of the State of Michigan with such honor and integrity.

We respectfully request the following:

1. Increasing training in law enforcement and maintenance programs for all State of Michigan Park Rangers. We must finally receive training standards set forth in these industries, not the bare minimum.

2. Expand working hours and lengthen working seasons to ensure year-round employment opportunities for these career State of Michigan employees. Stop spending millions of taxpayer’s dollars on contract services and invest back in our State of Michigan Park Rangers.

3. Raise wages to be competitive and reflect our qualifications, certifications, and the immense value we bring to the State of Michigan.

We feel it is paramount we must address this public safety issue immediately and ask all stakeholders to work together to build a stronger, more sustainable future for our Michigan State Parks System, also giving back dignity and respect to the professionals who care for them.

Respectfully,