The District enjoys a very good working relationship with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).  Over the past several years MDNR has contracted with the District to carry out habitat maintenance and improvement at the Gagetown & Verona State Game Areas.  Activities include brush removal, stump treatment, mowing to remove noxious weeds, interseeding grasses into established stands, removal of played out seedings and establishment of entirely new grassland plantings.

At the Rush Lake State Game Area the District carries out basically the same type of operations for the MDNR.  In exchange for the maintenance assistance, the District share crops the agricultural land.  Revenue generated from the crops grown cover the input costs and offsets the cost associated with other District programs.