Funds 'on tap' for Michigan State Parks

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced that Labatt USA is pitching in to support Michigan state parks and waterways. Labatt USA will share a portion of the proceeds from sales of its Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light "Great State of Mine" specially marked packages sold this summer through July 30.

Specially marked 15- and 24-can packages of Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light can be found in retailers around Michigan. The packaging features iconic images of Michigan, such as the Big Sable Point Lighthouse, the Mackinac Bridge and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

A portion of the proceeds will help support recycling and clean beach initiatives in Michigan state parks.

“We are anticipating a great partnership with Labatt Blue,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “The donated funds will help us tackle key maintenance on our beaches and expand and make people aware of recycling opportunities in our parks."

The effort is a result of Labatt USA's triple-bottom line approach, which focuses on people, planet and profits with the goal of benefiting the environment and communities where the company sells beer.

"Labatt USA helped raise funds for Flint last year through the sale of our products,” said Ben Juda, vice president of the Labatt USA north division. "This year, we will share a portion of the proceeds from the Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light 'Great State of Mine' packages with Michigan state parks. As a beer company, we want to do our part to improve our environmental footprint while preserving and beautifying our parks for people to enjoy."

The DNR created the "These Goods are Good for Michigan" program to recognize partners who help support Michigan’s state parks, trails and waterways through a revenue-sharing agreement from the sales of merchandise. Through these partnerships, businesses not only are able to support Michigan's great outdoors, but they also can determine how their funds will be spent.

For more information on this partnership or to learn more about how businesses and organizations can get involved with the "These Goods are Good for Michigan" program, contact Maia Turek, DNR resource development specialist, at turekm@michigan.gov or 989-225-8573.