Winter 2016 GVMagazine - (Page 27)

BREATHING LIFE into HISTORIC SITES GRAND VALLEY LEADS EFFORT TO RESTORE STATE TREASURES by Dottie Barnes Four historic Michigan sites, from the Lower Peninsula to the middle of the Upper Peninsula, are now cleaner, brighter and better preserved thanks to the volunteer efforts of hundreds of tourism professionals and Grand Valley students, faculty and staff members. The four cleanup projects were part of an initiative called Michigan Cares for Tourism (MC4T), which brought together 890 tourism professionals and Grand Valley students, and 165 sponsors. The effort resulted in a savings of $307,000 in labor and supplies for the state. And, that is just the beginning. MICHIGAN CARES FOR TOURISM The MC4T initiative, to help restore and preserve historical sites across the state, began in the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department. It's the brainchild of HTM associate professor Patty Janes. "Until now, there has not been a unified, statewide effort to give back to the tourism industry and preserve and invest in our most sacred treasures: our people and our historic attractions," Janes said. When Janes came to Grand Valley four years ago, she shared her idea of bringing together state tourism professionals and Grand Valley students to work side-by-side to clean up historic sites. The HTM department was immediately on board. "We are realizing that hospitality and tourism organizations are starting to look closer at how students are giving back and how they are impacting their communities," said Paul Stansbie, associate dean in the College of Community and Public Service. FAYETTE HISTORIC STATE PARK "Patty's idea fit with our model of being an engaged college that emphasizes community engagement and partnerships." HISTORIC MILL LAKE Grand Valley chartered MC4T along with the state Department of Natural Resources, Tourism Cares, Pure Michigan, Indian Trails and DRIVEN public relations. In an effort to get funding, Janes and the MC4T team pitched the idea of the initiative at the Pure Michigan Jump Start Competition in 2013 at the Governor's Conference on Tourism. The team won first place and used the $5,000 prize money to organize the first cleanup at Historic Mill Lake in the 20,000 acre Waterloo Recreation Area in Chelsea. Mill Lake, which started in 1936, was the first camp for inner city youth in the area. It closed in 2000. "The DNR suggested the site because it doesn't have the staff or funds needed to restore and rent the cabins or reopen the camp. It's a beautiful area not being utilized," said Janes. "The DNR has 240 historic sites that need attention and a $350 million maintenance deficit." In October 2013, more than 100 volunteers cleaned out cabins, threw away beds and windows, repaired and painted buildings, cleared brush and removed invasive species. Janes said because of the large number of workers, volunteers were able to accomplish in one day what would have taken officials six months. The project also included a FAM or familiarization experience; volunteers arrived the day before to tour places of interest and learn about the destination to grow in their tourism profession. The group visited area sites including the Michigan International Speedway and took a ride in a pace car. 27 Grand Valley Magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2016 GVMagazine

Campus News
Focal Point
Athletics
Donor Impact
A Team of Their Own
Meijer Campus
Empowered. Educated. Engineers.
Breathing Life into Historic Sites
Sustainability
Research
Q&A Snell and Stanton
Alumni News
Off the Path

Winter 2016 GVMagazine