The weekend prep day presents a great opportunity to research and implement proven methods to prevent and withstand damage from wildfires. This year’s campaign highlights the value and impact of “Zone Zero” – the immediate 5-foot perimeter around your home’s exterior.

Some proven actions to protect your home in the face of wildfire and reduce the risk of home ignition include:

• Removing potential fire hazards such as dead leaves and tree/shrub debris.
• Clearing roofs and gutters.
• Keeping lawns and native grasses mowed.
• Removing flammable items from decks and porches.

Explore more firesafe resources on the Wildfire Community Preparedness Day website, and even pin your prep project on the nationwide map to share how you’re making a difference.

Questions about fire safety? Contact DNR fire prevention specialist Paul Rogers.

During the May 3 Fly Fishing Seminar, designed for beginners to intermediate enthusiasts, you’ll learn fundamental fly-casting techniques, discover the secrets of fly selection based on target species and gain the skills to confidently approach the next fishing adventure. The Wild Mushroom Clinic, May 10, dives into the world of Michigan’s seasonal edible wild mushrooms, with a focus on the “big five” – morel, chanterelle, chicken of the woods, hen of the woods and oyster mushrooms – plus other foods found in nature.

See a full schedule of classes at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills.

• Cambridge Junction in Lenawee County (historic buildings open May 11), along the Old Chicago Road, featuring exhibits and artifacts about people, travel and work during the 1840s and ’50s, and stories of early auto tourism and 20th-century Irish Hills tourist attractions.
• Fayette Historic Townsite in Delta County (opens May 9), a once-bustling industrial community that manufactured charcoal pig iron between 1867 and 1891 at the tip of the Garden Peninsula. Visitors can walk through the well-preserved buildings that have been standing for 150 years and learn about life during the 19th century.
• Fort Wilkins in Keweenaw County (opens May 15), home of a restored 1844 army military outpost, including 19 buildings, with a living-history program. Visitors can experience a look back at life on the northern frontier during the mid-1800s and a time when soldiers were stationed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
• Hartwick Pines Logging Museum in Crawford County (opens May 1*), which depicts the state’s 19th-century logging era, an industry that changed Michigan’s landscape, people and economy in ways that can still be seen today. (*The planned May 1 open date depends on whether Hartwick Pines State Park is set to reopen following the northern Michigan ice storm. Call ahead or check Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.)
• Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum in Crawford County (opens May 1), highlighting Michigan’s first tree nursery and the hard work of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The project, featuring cross-laminated panels made with Michigan red pine wood, achieves a significant milestone as this construction technique continues to gain in popularity across the continent.

According to Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, “Mass timber buildings are cropping up across North America, along with factories that manufacture these versatile, sustainable, engineered wood building materials. That’s because mass timber offers a compelling suite of benefits.” Those include progress toward forest health management goals, rural economic development and new opportunities in manufacturing.

Building with mass timber also can reduce construction times, costs, crew sizes and equipment needs, and create beautiful buildings that people love to work, learn and live in, according to MSU.

“Mass timber materials result in fewer carbon emissions to source, make and transport,” Sandra Lupien, director of MassTimber@MSU, told the Newberry News in 2024. “As does all wood, mass timber products store carbon, holding it in place in the building, keeping it out of the atmosphere for 50, 100 to 200 years. With the Newberry customer service center, the DNR is demonstrating mass timber leadership by going first.”

When groundbreaking for the DNR building occurred in 2024, there were five buildings in Michigan either built or in progress using mass timber. Today, there are 60. The DNR anticipates hosting a public open house this summer at the Newberry CSC, located at 5666 M-123. Meanwhile, the new facility is open for business!

Take a video tour of this new mass timber building.

Questions? Contact Matt Watkeys, DNR forest marketing and outreach specialist, at [email protected].

Workdays will take place at:

• Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 2.
• Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 24.
• Warren Woods State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10, and 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31.
• Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, and 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.
• Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11.
• Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 17.

Get more workday and registration details on the DNR volunteer events calendar.

• Help improve habitat in Mecosta County.

Starting at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Haymarsh State Game Area. During this habitat workday in partnership with the Ruffed Grouse Society, volunteers will plant fruit-bearing shrubs and white spruce to support ruffed grouse and American woodcock habitat. Lunch and refreshments provided. RSVP is required. Contact Kevin Crowley at 616-292-6385.

• Plant jack pines for Kirtland’s warblers in Crawford County.

From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 3, in the DNR Grayling Forest Management Unit. The goal of the annual Jack Pine Planting Day, a collaboration with the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance and Huron Pines, is to improve and enhance Kirtland’s warbler habitat. MUCC will provide lunch and a volunteer appreciation gift to all registered volunteers. Registration for Crawford County event closes at 2 p.m. May 2.

• Plant trees for wildlife in St. Clair County.

From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10, at Port Huron State Game Area. The volunteer crew will plant oak trees for wildlife foraging and cover. Lunch provided. Registration for the St. Clair County event is required by 2 p.m. May 9.

• Pitch in and clean up for wildlife in Wayne and Monroe counties.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. Help improve fish and wildlife habitat by removing trash from this unique wetland area. Lunch, snacks and supplies provided. Registration for the Wayne/Monroe County event closes at 2 p.m. May 16.