Contact: Keith Murphy (Upper Peninsula), 906-250-1382 or Jeff Vasher (Lower Peninsula), 989-745-2942

Going north this weekend? Be careful with fire, ORVs, sparks

If you’re heading up north to enjoy deer hunting or a little fall color, please be careful with campfires, off-road vehicles and trailer chains or anything else that might cause a spark that could lead to a wildfire.

“Due to unusually dry conditions this fall, fire danger throughout much of the state remains high despite a little bit of rain today,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

DNR firefighters Friday morning were handling 17 fires in the Upper Peninsula and eight to 10 in the northern Lower Peninsula. Additionally, the Summit Lake Fire in the Ottawa National Forest’s McCormick Wilderness area reached over 300 acres in size.

“We want everybody to have fun at deer camp, but please make sure that campfires are totally out before you turn in for the night,” Rogers said.

When you’re done with a campfire, drench it with water, stir the ashes and drench it again.

Also be careful when using power equipment or riding ORVs, as heat from equipment motors or ORV exhaust systems can set dry grass or leaves on fire.

If you intend to burn leaves or yard debris, check online for a burn permit; in the southern Lower Peninsula, check with your local fire department or municipality to make sure conditions allow for safe burning. As with campfires, when you’re done burning, drench the fire site with water and stir any ashes, then wet again to make sure the fire is out.

For more information on safe burning and the DNR’s fire program, visit Michigan.gov/FireManagement.

DNR announces $3 million in grants to help 19 Michigan communities expand and enhance trees and green space

Projects such as community engagement and tree planting in Morenci and Portage and youth training and education in Detroit are among those sharing about $3 million in Michigan Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grants recently awarded to Michigan communities and organizations. The UCF IRA grant program is made possible through money provided by the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Trees play an essential role in improving the quality of life for Michigan residents. They improve air quality, lower summer temperatures, reduce energy costs and help manage the flow of stormwater. Trees enhance people’s mental and physical well-being and help reduce the effects of climate change, creating healthier and more resilient communities. “This program provides vital funding to help disadvantaged Michigan communities sustainably grow, care for and manage their public trees,” said Kerry Gray, grant coordinator for the program. “This helps ensure that trees and the essential benefits they provide are available to more people in more communities.” A total of 40 applications requesting nearly $6.7 million from Michigan communities were received. The 19 awards to communities around the state will collectively plant and care for more than 2,800 trees, train 3,200 city staff, students and residents, and inventory and develop plans to sustainably manage over 157,000 public trees benefiting more than 769,500 Michigan residents.

Funding a variety of projects

All projects occur in or directly benefit disadvantaged Michigan communities and include community engagement activities. The following projects received funding:

City of Alpena: $160,000 to complete a public tree inventory and management plan to guide project tree planting and maintenance activities.

Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District: $142,495 for tree planting and volunteer engagement in several eastern Upper Peninsula communities.

Detroit River Project: $219,568 for youth education and training and tree planting and care.

Grand Valley Metro Council: $206,359 for volunteer engagement and tree planting in the city of Wyoming based on the results of a tree canopy assessment and planting plan.

City of Hazel Park: $147,620 to complete a public tree inventory and maintenance plan to guide project tree planting activities.

Kent County Parks and Recreation: $56,885 for youth training, park tree inventory and management plan at three county parks.

Manistee Conservation District: $224,301 to complete a public tree inventory and management plan to guide project tree planting and maintenance activities.

City of Marshall: $102,400 to complete a public tree inventory and management plan to guide project tree planting, removal and maintenance activities.

City of Midland: $225,000 to complete a public tree inventory to guide project tree planting activities.

City of Morenci: $218,165 for tree planting, volunteer engagement, and outreach, education and training.

Michigan State University Department of Forestry: $225,000 to develop and implement a two-year Urban Forest Management certificate program through Michigan State University’s Institute of Agricultural Technology at the MSU-Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning and Innovation.

Oakland County Parks and Recreation: $100,000 for tree planting and park tree inventories in select county parks.

City of Portage: $150,000 for volunteer engagement and public tree planting to replace trees lost to storm damage.

Presque Isle Conservation District: $197,157 for public tree planting, tree removal, volunteer engagement and city staff training in Rogers City and Onaway.

City of River Rouge: $71,000 for tree planting at Belanger Park following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency clean-up at the park.

Village of Romeo: $20,900 for a public tree inventory and maintenance plan.

City of Roseville: $101,600 for city staff training, tree planting and a public tree inventory and management plan.

City of Warren: $190,000 to complete a public tree inventory and management plan to guide project tree planting and maintenance activities.

West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission: $225,000 to complete a public tree inventory and management plan to guide project tree planting and maintenance activities in Muskegon.

More info and future oportunities

The UCF IRA Grant program will release applications for the final round of funding in early 2025.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program received a historic $1.5 billion to support tree-planting, urban forest planning and management, and related activities, particularly in disadvantaged communities. To date, the agency has invested over $1.3 billion in grant projects submitted by entities that are working to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces and the many benefits they provide. For more information, visit the USFS UCF Inflation Reduction Act website.

The Michigan DNR Urban and Community Forestry Program is a  federally funded program providing  technical, educational and grant assistance to communities, nonprofits, educational institutions and tribes to build capacity for managing trees and forests in communities throughout the state.