If you’re lighting a wood stove for the winter season, take 15 minutes to do an annual checkup using tips provided by the DNR and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While you’re at it, also test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Placement

Check to see that there is adequate space between the stove and nearby furniture and walls. The stove should not touch or overheat anything around it. A protective, fireproof hearth pad should be installed underneath the stove to protect the floor and catch hot embers that could spill out.

Glass

If your stove has a glass window, it can tell you a lot about the stove’s condition. Glass that dirties quickly is a sign of poor combustion. The two main causes are a stove that is not getting enough air or wood that is too wet. Water content in wood, which can be measured with a moisture meter, should be under 20% before burning.

Also check for cracked glass and have it replaced to avoid leaking smoke into the home.

Firebox 

Most stoves are lined with firebrick. A cracked firebrick lining is okay, but if some is missing or crumbling, it should be replaced. Besides assessing the lining, look at gaskets around the door of the stove to ensure a tight fit.

Regularly clean ashes from the stove using metal tools and a metal bucket that won’t melt, and keep ashes away from combustible materials until cold enough for disposal.

Stovepipe and chimney

Black drips or buildup on the stovepipe leading out of the home are a red flag. They can indicate dangerous creosote buildup or that the pipe was installed upside-down.

After reviewing the stovepipe, go outside and look at the chimney. It should be covered from the elements and be free of creosote buildup. Creosote on the exterior can indicate flue problems.

Certification 

A metal label located on the back of the stove shows whether it complies with current EPA standards – view the EPA Certified Wood Heater database to see if it’s time for an upgrade. Newer stoves can be more efficient than older models, saving fuel and burning cleaner.

For more safety and efficiency tips, visit the EPA Burn Wise webpage.

If you downloaded a 2021 DNR fuelwood permit to collect firewood from state forest lands, remember that all permits expire Dec. 31. Learn more at Michigan.gov/Fuelwood.

From ice fishing to bird watching to snowmobiling Michigan’s nearly 6,500 miles of trails, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get outdoors and into the fresh air.

“Spending time outside provides mental and physical benefits year-round,” said Kristin Phillips, chief of the DNR Marketing and Outreach Division. “Now that winter is upon us, it’s a good time to make outdoor plans for your family and friends. Michigan has lots of options for outdoor winter fun; just make sure you plan ahead, wear the right gear and have the hot cocoa ready!”

Don’t worry if you’re not an avid winter warrior; we have ideas for things to do, where you can do them and what gear you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared. Speaking of where – if you’re planning a trip and looking for new places to explore, our interactive map will connect you with some of our partners and new adventures to try in their backyards.

When it comes to winter wonder, Mother (Nature) knows best!

Visit Michigan.gov/WinterFun to see what’s going on outside, bundle up and start making memories.

For more information, contact the DNR Marketing and Outreach Division at 517-284-6056.

Offering in-depth, expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of activities – from fishing and hunting to finding wild mushrooms – 2022 Outdoor Skills Academy classes are now available for purchase online.

“What to get the hunter or angler or nature lover who has everything? Send them to an Outdoor Skills Academy class!” said Ed Shaw, interpreter at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center and originator of the OSA program. “Our classes offer more than just a brief taste of outdoor activities – we spend a full day or more teaching the needed skills to get out and confidently try them.”

2022 classes include:

• A variety of ice-fishing classes, from beginner to advanced.
• A fly-fishing clinic for beginners.
• Steelhead and walleye fishing classes.
• Clinics on finding and identifying edible wild mushrooms.
• Classes about bear, deer and turkey hunting.
• A fur trapping clinic.
• A virtual class on feeding winter birds.

Cost for most of the classes is $30-45. Many of them will take place at the Carl T. Johnson Center, located inside Mitchell State Park in Cadillac, although a few classes are scheduled at other locations around the state and others may be added to the calendar throughout the year.

For class dates, detailed descriptions and registration information, visit Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills.

Questions? Contact Ed Shaw at 231-779-1321.

Did you know that 16 state parks systems in the United States have track chairs? These special off-road, electronic chairs can tackle muddy trails, snow, sand and other challenges that traditional wheelchairs can’t.

Michigan currently has 11 chairs (spread out across several state parks), making us No. 2 in the nation – behind Wisconsin by just one chair. Help us get to No. 1 and cement Michigan as the leader in outdoor accessibility by donating today! You can choose a specific park to support or make a general donation.

“Our state parks and recreation areas should be accessible for all people to enjoy, and the DNR is committed to making that a reality,” said Michelle O’Kelly, DNR fund developer. “Continued support toward this effort means we can have more assistive equipment available for people with disabilities to really put themselves in Michigan’s outdoors. That’s an experience we want everyone to have.”

Currently, fundraising goals for track chairs have been met at Bald Mountain Recreation Area and Grand Haven, Holland and Ludington state parks. O’Kelly said meeting the funding goal for track chairs by year’s end would go a long way toward elevating the DNR’s commitment to a more inclusive outdoors.

“Greater visibility for resources and opportunities that boost outdoor accessibility here in Michigan helps amplify the conversation of greater outdoor inclusivity everywhere,” she said.

That’s a rivalry outcome we think Wisconsin can get behind, too.

Questions? Contact Michelle O’Kelly at 517-881-5884.

The DNR is offering free “Aquatic WILD” workshops to help educators learn new and creative ways to bring the outdoors into the classroom. Best of all, there’s no charge to qualified participants because the DNR’s Education Services Section sought and was awarded an Environmental Protection Agency grant to support Salmon in the Classroom and Great Lakes watershed training – topics that are integrated into the Aquatic WILD curriculum.

Aquatic WILD is part of the Project WILD suite of internationally renowned conservation and environmental education activities and investigations aimed at helping teachers better engage their students in field investigations and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts, all while following Next Generation Science Standards.

The next Aquatic Wild workshop is scheduled 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8.

The DNR’s “wild” programs are geared toward a variety of ages and include Growing Up WILD (ages 3-7), Project WILD (K-12 wildlife and habitat), Aquatic WILD (K-12 aquatic wildlife and habitat) and Flying WILD (middle school: building toward a bird festival). The programs are successful, in part, because the concepts are thoughtfully interwoven with English language arts, math, science and social studies.

A recent Aquatic WILD participant summed up her experience this way: “This was so much fun! I have been dreaming of doing a project WILD, WET, etc. since I graduated college, but as an intern/working for nonprofits it was hard to get [professional development] paid for and I was still rocking ‘broke college kid status.’ The grant funding for this has been lovely, and I can only imagine how many people you’ve been able to educate! Thank you!”

More learning opportunities – including a new class on climate change and a rare Flying WILD workshop – will be added throughout 2022. Explore upcoming workshops and other program details at Michigan.gov/MichiganProjectWILD.

Questions? Contact Natalie Elkins by email at [email protected].

The Michigan DNR first partnered with the Outdoor Channel on production of the television series in 2016. New episodes air on the Outdoor Channel Monday at 5:30 p.m. and then are repeated Monday at 2:30 a.m., Tuesday at 7:30 a.m., Friday at 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. “Wardens” also continues to be available on WLUC FOX UP Sunday morning at 9:30.

Michigan-based Wolf Creek Productions is filming episodes at locations around the state. Conservation officers and staff from other DNR divisions and program areas will be featured throughout the season.

Questions? Contact John Pepin (DNR), 906-226-1352; Evan Pittman (Wolf Creek Productions), 517-625-9653 or Jon Ross (Wolf Creek Productions), 517-625-9653.