DNR Events – July 2022

DNR Events – July 2022

by | Jul 8, 2022 | Recreation

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DNR Events – July 2022

row of people aiming bows and arrows during archery class
Here are a few ways to get out and enjoy Michigan’s natural and cultural resources in July. For a full list of events, see the Department of Natural Resources calendar at Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar.

Learn about wild mushrooms, bear hunting, fly fishing and more

woman fly fishing in riverThe DNR Outdoor Skills Academy will offer opportunities to learn more about foraging for wild mushrooms, bear hunting and outdoor survival with July classes at the following locations.

Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac

  • Wild Mushroom Clinic, July 10
    Learn how to identify a variety of Michigan’s edible wild mushrooms, where to start looking, and proper handling techniques for transport, cleaning, consumption (including some sampling) and home preservation. Cost is $40 and will include lunch. This class will be offered again Aug. 20.
  • Bush Craft, Survival and Wild Edibles Clinic, July 15-17
    In this unique, three-day class, you will learn the basics of what you need to survive if you ever find yourself stranded in the outdoors, including some wilderness first aid; how to safely prepare water for drinking; how to identify animal tracks and scat; plants you can gather as wild edibles and for medicinal uses, and which plants to avoid; how to safely start a fire without matches; how to shoot a bow and arrow; and more.
  • Bear Hunting Clinic, July 30 and July 31
    Students will learn the ins and outs of bear hunting with experienced hunters and knowledgeable DNR educators. The class will cover habitat, gear, stand placement, baiting, rules and regulations, carcass care, and hide care.

Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center in Mattawan

  • Fly Fishing 101, July 22-23
    Learn the fundamentals of fly fishing in this two-day class. Topics covered include knots, casting, fly tying, stream etiquette, catch and release, stream dynamics, macroinvertebrates, reading the water, and presentation. On Saturday afternoon, participants will head to local waters to bring it all together and catch some fish. Loaner gear is available.
  • Damsels Fly: Fly Fishing for Women, July 30
    For women who are new to fly fishing, this all-day workshop will teach participants enough of the basics to get out fly fishing with confidence. Topics covered include gear, rods and reels, casting, knot tying, macroinvertebrates, where to fish/reading the water and more. No equipment is needed to participate.

The DNR Outdoor Skills Academy offers in-depth, expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of outdoor activities at locations around the state. Learn more at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills.

Experience Michigan History at museum sites across the state

Group of people standing on hilltop listening to DNR staffer speakThe Michigan History Center’s 12 museums and historic sites are your pathway to fun and discovery this summer. The Michigan History Museum system will host a variety of events around the state in July.

Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor

Fort Wilkins 1870, A Living History Experience, daily through Aug. 19
Step back to summer 1870, as costumed interpreters portray the daily life of people who lived and worked at this remote outpost.

Cambridge Junction Historic State Park in Brooklyn

Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee

For more details about what’s going on at the Michigan History Center, see the MHC events calendar.

Find all kinds of summer fun at Outdoor Adventure Center

young boy touching fox snake held by DNR stafferWhether you live in southeast Michigan or your summer travels take you there, check out what’s happening at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit. July events at the OAC include:

  • Christmas in July, July 9
    We’re getting in the Christmas (in July) spirit with Mrs. Claus! Join us and learn to decorate holiday cookies with the best baker of the North Pole. Kids will get a cookie kit, reindeer food with a story and a Christmas pencil, and will learn the reindeer macarena. Cost is $10, or free with an unwrapped new toy.
  • Archery programs
    Give archery a shot with Try It – a brief introduction to archery where you’ll learn to safely handle a bow and shoot several arrows – scheduled for July 9 and July 23 and included with the price of admission. Grow your love for archery with Explore It: Skill Development, July 30, an opportunity to practice your shot with various targets and activities. Cost is $12.
  • Get Hooked on Fishing, July 16 and July 30
    Looking to learn more about the fish found in Detroit River and how to fish? In this catch and release fishing program, participants will be introduced to the parts of a fish and how to identify fish. Equipment, bait and instruction will be provided; beginners are welcome! Included with the price of admission, but preregistration is required.
  • Nature education programs for kids
    Check out Cub Club, for ages 3-6, July 23. This month, we’ll learn what makes an animal a fish, with a focus on fish of the Detroit River. For our July 30 Young Explorers session, for kids ages 7-10, we’ll learn about some of the common Detroit River fish species, then try our luck on the river. These programs are included with admission, but preregistration is required.
  • Live animal programs
    Find out what makes reptiles and amphibians so cool, get up close and personal with many of these creatures, during Live Michigan Reptiles and Amphibians with Nature Discovery, July 15 and July 16. Leslie Science and Nature Center will bring two live animal presentations to the OAC July 23. In Walking up a Food Chain, we’ll construct a live food chain as we meet different animals. Hunters of the Sky will feature three engaging raptors and hands-on explorations of feathers, skulls and other bird parts.

July will also offer opportunities to learn about Michigan camping, the story of Vernor’s ginger ale in Detroit and more. See everything that’s coming up on the OAC events calendar.

Take fitness on the water at state parks

two women doing exercises on stand-up paddleboards in the waterLooking for a fun outdoor fitness experience? Check out stand-up paddleboard yoga or PaddleFit – combining intervals of paddling and various types of exercises for a great nonimpact core muscle workout – at a state park. No stand-up paddleboard or yoga experience needed. July classes are scheduled at the following locations.

Island Lake Recreation Area in Brighton:

Pinckney Recreation Area in Pinckney:

Join us for outdoor fun on Pheasant Friday

Spend a fun afternoon outdoors with Pheasant Friday, July 8 at Sterling State Park in Monroe and July 15 at Seven Lakes State Park in Holly. Emphasizing firearm safety and Pheasants Forever’s efforts to restore pheasant habitat, these events offer the opportunity to shoot a BB gun in a safe environment with expert instruction. There also will be hands-on activities to learn about grasslands and birds, butterflies and other pollinators that support healthy wildlife habitat.

Delve into family history research

Whether you are looking to get started researching your family history or you are already deep into genealogy, the Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar – at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing July 8-9 – is for you. Held each summer, the seminar promotes family history awareness and teaches genealogy research skills. This year’s featured speaker is Dr. David McDonald, CG, a professional genealogist with more than 45 years’ research experience. Registration deadline is July 6.

We recently launched a new website, and we’d love to hear what you think via this brief survey. Thanks for helping us improve our site for all users!
All ways, moving forward with Dave Coulter

All ways, moving forward with Dave Coulter

by | Jul 8, 2022 | Uncategorized

Dave newsletter header

July 7, 2022

Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter

Dear Friends,

As I participated in Fourth of July celebrations this week, I wasn’t thinking about the barbecues, the fireworks or the day off from work for most Americans.

independence day

I was contemplating the deeper meaning of the Fourth of July, that day in 1776 when the 13 colonies officially signed the Declaration of Independence and severed political ties from Great Britain.

I was thinking about the freedoms we gained as a result of that declaration and still mostly enjoy. The freedom of speech, religion, the press and assembly are the first amendments enumerated in our U.S. Constitution and are the foundations of living in a free society.

But as I was celebrating those freedoms, which are fragile in these increasingly divisive times, I also remembered a quote from an essay by Nelson Mandela, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

It’s an important distinction for me. Because along with the freedom of speech, comes the responsibility to both listen and engage in civil discourse. Along with the freedom of religion, comes the obligation to accept people of other faiths and the right to freely assemble means respecting the space and safety of others too.

In this day of social media anonymity and people trying to see who can yell the loudest and drown out dissenting voices, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of association seem awfully fraught.

I try every day to engage in constructive dialogue and listen to all viewpoints regardless of whether you agree with me or not. When I became Oakland County Executive in 2019, I was and still am committed to providing services and programs to all the county’s residents from Orion Township to South Lyon, Holly to Hazel Park and all points in between.

So I hope that when the rest, reflection and relaxation from the Fourth of July wears off, we all can take at least a moment to remember that with freedom comes responsibility and respect.

 

With gratitude,

David Coulter

Oakland County Executive


Service Highlight of the Week: Mapping

 

Did you know that Oakland County’s Information Technology Department provides Geographical Informational System mapping services for the county’s 62 cities, villages and townships?

Since the early 2000s, this service, better known as GIS, supports and promotes “location-based” data development for the communities of Oakland County. So, if a community wants to map things big and small, like property information or the location of flood plains or where fire hydrants are located, they can make that request or learn how to do it themselves using free licensing provided by the County.

 

This is also the technology that allows the county to create maps that show the areas and regions where federal COVID relief funding is being distributed and where people were most affected by the pandemic.

For more information on GIS services: go here.

webster press conference


Raising the Tank paves the way for new community Center

 

The site clean-up and redevelopment of the former Webster Elementary School in Pontiac took a big step forward last week with the removal of a contaminated 20,000-gallon underground tank. Community members applauded as a crane operator lifted the tank, which used to store fuel oil, out of the ground.

Oakland County received a $425,000 grant from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) last year to clean-up the property.

The 101-year-old building will be transformed into the Webster Community Center by Micah 6 Community. The community organization, which is dedicated to rehabilitating the Pontiac neighborhood, is investing $21 million to transform the former elementary school located into a center which will provide social and recreational services including six Head Start classrooms, a food co-op, art classes and therapy, performing arts programs, a WIC (Women, Infants, Children) office, a walk-in clinic, a small business incubator, and community event rooms.

The renovation is expected to be completed by the fall of 2023.

website survey


Help us Serve You

 

At Oakland County, we are continually trying to improve the delivery of services and programs, including on our website. We’re undergoing a revamp of the county’s website – oakgov.com – and we’re looking for feedback from you. Is it easy to navigate? Is the content relevant? What more (or less) would you like to see? We want to hear it all.

The county’s website is the first way that many of our residents learn of the services and programs we offer, so we want to make the best first, second and last impression we can. Please take a moment to fill out the questionnaire at this link, so we can improve the look, content and the ease of navigation of the website.

Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7JHXNSY
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Bipartisan Budget Investments in Working Families

Bipartisan Budget Investments in Working Families

by | Jul 8, 2022 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Highlights Bipartisan Budget Investments in Working Families, Connected Communities

Budget will honor those who served, build up infrastructure, and fund critical local projects

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted investments in working families and connected communities in the recently passed bipartisan budget for Fiscal Year 2023. The budget delivers additional resources to communities across Michigan to help them invest in first responders, speeds up replacement of lead service lines, builds a new veteran’s home, shores up pensions for municipal workers, and invests in infrastructure. The fiscally-responsible, balanced budget delivers on the kitchen-table issues, was passed on time, and does not raise taxes by a dime.

 

“Since day one, I have been focused on delivering on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to working families,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The budget makes critical investments in working families and communities to help them thrive. It will deliver more funds to local communities helping them invest in police officers and firefighters, speeds up replacement of lead service lines, and reduces congestion at local rail crossings. The budget also delivers on critical community projects, funding the construction of a new veteran’s home in Marquette, modernizing Michigan’s armories, and upgrading Selfridge Airforce Base in Macomb County. Finally, the budget keeps promises made to hardworking municipal employees, shoring up their pensions. This budget is proof of what’s possible when we put working families and communities first and stay focused on getting things done.”

 

Families & Communities by the Numbers

  • A 5% ongoing and 1% one-time increase in statutory revenue sharing, offering more resources to help cities, villages, townships and counties deliver critical services and invest in first responders.
  • $750 million to support municipal pensions.
  • $100 million to fund pensions for Michigan State Troopers to protect their retirement.
  • $100 million to modernize Michigan’s armories.
  • $97.6 million for construction of a new veteran’s home in Marquette.
  • $48 million to ensure that lead service line projects are completed effectively and efficiently.
  • $30 million for state fish hatchery upgrades.
  • $12 million to reduce congestion at local rail crossings.
  • $12 million to establish a veteran cemetery in Grayling.
  • $6.1 million for expansion of the Selfridge Air National Guard base.

 

Families & Communities Budget Investments

There are three key areas of the budget that invests in families and communities.

 

1) Honoring Those Who Serve

To ensure those who served have the support they need, the budget funds construction of a new veteran’s home in Marquette, backs a suicide prevention outreach campaign, and shores up the pensions of MSP troopers. To honor the memory of those we have lost, it establishes a veteran’s ceremony in Grayling.

 

2) Building Up Infrastructure

The budget expands on the investments in the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan signed in April by speeding up replacement of lead service lines, reducing traffic congestion at local rail crossings, improving state fish hatcheries, and funding long-overdue maintenance projects at state facilities.

 

3) Funding Critical Local Projects

The budget will make critical improvements to Selfridge Air Force Base in Macomb County, invest in Innovate Mound, a transformative project to rebuild Mound Road, one of the most important corridors in Southeast Michigan, and fund modernize Michigan’s armories, shoring up our readiness and supporting local construction jobs.

 

“Michigan’s allocation of $750M dollars to municipal pensions throughout the state is a major victory for Flint and for the entire state,” said Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “These dollars will guarantee the availability of funds to pay retirees who have readily served our communities with pride and dignity. In Flint and Genesee County, these funds will help to strengthen our region and empower communities across the great state of Michigan, and it is all due to our fearless leader—Governor Gretchen Whitmer.”

 

“The building on Fisher Street has been a home to Upper Peninsula veterans for 41 years, with the staff and volunteers making it a true home,” said Brad Slagle, Board of Directors, Michigan Veterans Homes. “Now that tradition can be continued in a new building with a modern design that provides five-star care and with the same loving care.”

 

“Michigan has some of the nation’s best citizen Soldiers and Airmen. We are thankful for the governor and the state legislatures’ work to include money to provide for Armory. This $100M will help our warriors have the best facilities to conduct home station training, while also investing into local communities across Michigan,” said Jeffrey Frisby, Executive Director of the National Guard Association of Michigan. “As our local armories have aged, they no longer can house the true demographics of the force. The number of females serving in the National Guard has greatly increased over the last 100 years, but the armories were not constructed with the female warrior in mind. Some of our current facilities do not have female bathrooms, showers, or locker rooms.  These funds will be used to update and adapt local armories to better serve the Guardsmen in those units.  Our Guardsmen are being asked to serve in missions across the world, these modernizations will give them a building that they are proud to come home to.”

 

“The budget approved by the Legislature and Governor makes significant investment in the people of Michigan and the places they call home,” said Michigan Municipal League Board President Barbara Ziarko, Sterling Heights city councilmember. “With specific investments in revenue sharing, assistance for municipal pensions, and other programs that help local communities, this budget will bring needed relief, and improve capacity moving forward. This budget builds on the positive momentum of previous investments in our communities. There remains opportunity going forward to equitably invest those remaining resources to ensure Michigan is an attractive place for talent and supports thriving communities in ways that benefit everyone.”

 

“We applaud Governor Whitmer, and the Legislature, for their recognition in the state’s historic budget of the immense value and importance that Michigan’s townships and other communities have in the lives of every resident in our state,” said Michigan Townships Association Executive Director Neil Sheridan. “The increase in City, Village and Township Revenue Sharing, along with investments in new grant opportunities for communities for lead line replacement, will help local governments to better provide quality of life and essential services to Michiganders today, and in the future, and continue to improve the places we all call home.”
A second Flex Route takes shape in Michigan

A second Flex Route takes shape in Michigan

by | Jul 8, 2022 | Transportation

A second Flex Route takes shape in Michigan, easing daily commutes for thousands

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with Brian Travis, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project manager on the I-96 Flex Route in western Oakland County.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/10922972-a-second-flex-route-takes-shape-in-michigan-easing-daily-commutes-for-thousands

TMT - Flex Route

The $269 million project, allowing for the use of shoulders as travel lanes during peak travel times, is MDOT’s second use of the traffic innovation. In 2016 and 2017, contractors built the first phase of a Flex Route, a $125 million investment on US-23 north of Ann Arbor.

Brian Travis

A project is in design now for a second phase, at an estimated cost of $146 million, to extend the Flex Route from north of 8 Mile Road to I-96.

Travis says the Oakland County project is on schedule and talks about the three-year timeline. He also touts the safety and efficiency benefits the added capacity during peak travel hours will provide.

Funding for this project is made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. The investment strategy is aimed at fixes that result in longer useful lives and improves the condition of the state’s infrastructure.