Reps. Warren, Accavitti, Ball, Bauer, Bieda, Cheeks, Condino, Constan, Cushingberry, Dean, Gonzales, Hammel, Hammon, Hansen, Hopgood, Robert Jones, Lahti, Kathleen Law, Leland, Lemmons, Meisner, Miller, Nitz, Pearce, Polidori, Sak, Schuitmaker, Shaffer, Alma Smith, Spade, Stahl, Tobocman, Valentine and Wojno offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 326.

            A resolution designating April 20-27, 2008, as Land Preservation Week in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, The Michigan Legislature is constitutionally charged with the responsibility to protect and preserve the natural resources of this great state; and

            Whereas, The state of Michigan is blessed with an abundance of natural resources: plentiful lakes, rivers, and streams; bountiful wetlands and sand dunes; and precious forests. These resources provide Michigan residents and visitors to this great state a high quality of life; and

            Whereas, The Legislature has acknowledged the sensitive nature of these resources through a number of environmental programs designed to keep our resource base healthy, while allowing for wise and continuous use of these natural resources; and

            Whereas, Michigan's economic, environmental, and social futures are all dependent on the wise use of the state's 37 million acres; and

            Whereas, Twenty-first century prosperity is inextricably linked to the quality of life this or any state provides to its residents, businesses, and entrepreneurs it wishes to attract; and

            Whereas, Michigan's land-based industries, including agriculture, tourism, forestry, and mining, currently account for more than $37.6 billion (17 percent) of Michigan's yearly economic output; and

            Whereas, Those same industries contribute immensely to the character of Michigan's landscape, while at the same time supplying the products that sustain and enhance our lives; and

            Whereas, In many areas of the state, certain development of open spaces may be altering the character of Michigan's landscapes and threatening those land-based industries; and

            Whereas, The ecological services provided by open space, greenways, and other green infrastructure are incalculable; and

            Whereas, Through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund,  the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program, and the growth and development of both public and private land preservation programs at the local level, significant landscapes have been protected for future generations; and

            Whereas, Through the efforts of Michigan land conservancies, more than 400,000 acres of coastline, forests, unique agricultural lands, and other special lands have been protected for future generations of Michigan citizens; and

            Whereas, Land Preservation Week will offer local conservation groups and educators an opportunity to educate students and community members on the necessity of preserving Michigan's land-based natural resources in a sustainable manner to provide enjoyment to both current and future generations; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body designate April 20-27, 2008, which is the second annual Conservation Week, as Land Preservation Week in the state of Michigan. We urge the citizens of the state to celebrate and commemorate the heritage of land preservation and its role in maintaining and enhancing the land-based natural resources of the state and preserving the high quality of life available to those who live, work, and recreate in the state; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Rebecca Humphries, Director of the Department of Natural Resources; the Natural Resources Commission; Steve Chester, Director of the Department of Environmental Quality; Senator Patricia Birkholz, Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment; Representative Joel Sheltrown, Chair of the House Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources; Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop; Speaker of the House Andy Dillon; Governor Jennifer Granholm; the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Heart of the Lakes Nature Conservancy; and all other state and local conservation groups.