DNR Honors Camp Dearborn with Partners in Conservation Award

Editor's note: This press release was submitted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) honored the city of Dearborn’s staff at Camp Dearborn with a Partners in Conservation Award at its July meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.

The 620-acre park in Oakland County, which is owned and operated by Dearborn, has allowed the DNR to use its lakes as nursery ponds for fish-rearing programs for 40 years.

“We’ve been able to rear nearly 5 million walleyes thanks to the cooperation of Camp Dearborn,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. “That this partnership has lasted for four decades speaks volumes about Camp Dearborn’s dedication to natural resources.”

Camp Dearborn was nominated for the award by the Lake Erie Management Unit of the DNR Fisheries Division. The award reads in part:

“… for 40 years of cooperative partnership in raising sport fish for stocking in the state’s public inland waters. These efforts align with the department’s mission to enhance fish populations for the benefit of current and future generations …”

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., who along with Camp Dearborn Manager Lee Morris accepted the award, said the honor was exciting.

“This program with the DNR has been great for everyone,” O’Reilly said. “And the fact that we can contribute sport fish for the fishermen across the state of Michigan is wonderful.”

Camp Dearborn offers a wide range of amenities for outdoor activities; a half-mile swimming beach, acres of shaded picnic sites, fishing, paddle boat rentals, hayrides, Mystic Creek Golf Club with mini golf, and cabin rentals. 

For more information, visit www.campdearborn.com.