| Earth Day is Friday, a great time to consider what we can do to help our planet. It can be hard to feel connected to Mother Earth with all the demands of modern life, but small changes can have big impacts on our communities. When we work together, we can make a world of difference.
Here are just a few of this week’s stories – with a special, Earth-friendly focus – from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.
PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of the images used below, and others, are available in this folder.
 Want to see more pictures like this, taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador Sheen Watkins at Tawas State Park in Iosco County? Visit Instagram.com/MiStateParks to explore photos and learn more about the photo ambassadors! For more on the photo ambassador program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182.
 One of the best ways to help the planet is to think local. We are all part of an ecosystem, and that includes where and how we get our food. Try growing your own food or buying it directly from local farmers – or, head out into the wild and forage or hunt some food yourself!
If you have a yard, a lawn or a balcony with space for planters, you can start growing your own food today. If you haven’t gardened or farmed before, it can feel daunting to begin – you can get resources, advice and reputable seeds and seedlings from local nurseries, greenhouses, conservation organizations and other growers in the know. Grow more than you need? Consider donating surplus veggies or fruits to your local food pantry or co-op. Many areas of the state are food deserts, meaning there is no easily accessible place to get fresh produce. Having access to fresh food is incredibly important and keeps our bodies healthy and in balance.
If you don’t have space to start your own garden, sign up to take part in a community garden. Don’t have one near you? See if you can start one with your neighbors. Take your food into your own hands. Community gardens help fill hungry tummies in your neighborhood and feed stronger connections with your neighbors. |
 Foraging is a great way to supplement your diet, but make sure you only take what you need; sustainable foraging ensures those delicious plants stay healthy and fruit-bearing for others and the future.
You can forage mushrooms, nuts, berries, tree fruits and more from public lands. Whether you’re out on a hike at a state park, walking along a riverbank to find the perfect fishing spot or enjoying some weekend camping, there’s wild food everywhere. Just make sure to harvest from areas away from busy roadways (you don’t want those car fumes on your food) and free from pesticides or harmful chemicals. Always follow proper safety guidelines and know the rules and regulations of the land you’re foraging on; please note that foods foraged on public land are for personal use only.
Looking to diversify your diet? Learn to hunt and fish and discover a brand-new world of flavor. Whether it’s venison, fish, turkey, waterfowl or other wild protein sources, you can add a whole new spectrum of taste to your diet—and help conserve those species while you’re at it. If you’re new to hunting or fishing, the DNR has many resources to get started; just make sure you have your valid license and any required safety certificates, know what species you’re allowed to take and follow current rules and regulations.
As always, #RecreateResponsibly and follow all safety protocols. Be a good neighbor, whether you’re in your community or out in nature. |
 Our pollinators are facing a lot of challenges, but you don’t need a yard to help them. Whether it’s a backyard patio, an apartment balcony or even a high-rise roof, you can create a little slice of heaven by planting native wildflowers to give our insect neighbors a boost. If you have land, consider planting a pollinator garden or pollinator habitat strips, especially if you have a farm.
Pollinators – moths, wasps, bees and butterflies, to name a few – are incredibly important to our ecosystem. In fact, many of them are keystone species, meaning they help define the entire ecosystem. Without them, that system would be drastically different or cease to exist altogether. We rely on them for agriculture, food and a healthy environment. |
 Many important pollinators, like the Karner blue butterfly, the rusty patched bumblebee and the monarch butterfly, are facing extinction due to habitat destruction, climate change, pollution and pesticide use. Other pollinators, such as bats and birds, are suffering from diseases, climate disruption and habitat loss. Building and maintaining habitat can help keep these important species from going extinct.
Check out the Xerces Society plant lists, MSU’s native plants and ecosystem services, MSU’s pollinator resources or find your local conservation district for resources, guidance, seeds and plants. |
 Whether we’re in school or not, humans are lifelong learners. DNR educators across the state provide great programs throughout the year for anyone looking to expand their horizons.
Stop by a state park or fish hatchery visitor center and enjoy a program, camp at a state park and take a hike with an explorer guide, or take advantage of hundreds of resources for families and teachers through our Nature at Home page. Learn more about ways you can connect with nature at Michigan.gov/DNREducation.
Classroom teachers, naturalists, Scout leaders and camp counselors can take advantage of FREE virtual training monthly. The virtual Aquatic WILD training, presented by the state Project WILD coordinator, offers three continuing education credits and includes a manual filled with easy-to-implement environmental education activities to use with K-12 students.
Want to learn some specialty outdoor skills? Check out upcoming Outdoor Skills Academy classes. These classes and clinics offer detailed instruction on a variety of topics like mushroom identification, walleye fishing, wilderness survival, nature photography and more.
Get out in nature and become a steward of the land through the Adopt-a-Forest program. This program helps keep public lands clean and thriving for all to enjoy, but it takes work to keep it that way. If forests aren’t your thing, check out the multitude of other ways to get involved and make a difference in your outdoors.
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get some hands-on learning, check out the many opportunities to help remove invasive plants at state parks through the DNR’s Volunteer Stewardship Workday program. Not only will you be helping habitats in Michigan’s protected places, but you will learn skills and techniques to tackle invasives in your own backyard. |
 Did you know that there are over 300 species of greatest conservation need in Michigan? These are species like the piping plover, lake sturgeon and spotted turtle, whose existence is threatened by factors including pollution, habitat loss and the spread of invasive species. This Earth Day, pledge to make a difference year-round by adopting habits that can prevent the spread of invasive species and support the protection of Michigan’s threatened wildlife and their habitats.
Love hiking, camping or trail riding? Simple habits like cleaning gear before and after outdoor activities, staying on designated trails and buying firewood locally can protect the places you love. Visit PlayCleanGo.org/TakeAction to get the best tips for invasive species prevention for your favorite recreation pastime.
If it’s the water that calls you, pledge to clean, drain and dry boats, trailers and watersport equipment between uses. Removing plants, mud and debris, draining bilge tanks and allowing everything to dry thoroughly before reuse limits the likelihood of spreading invasive plants and mollusks like New Zealand mudsnails to new locations. Visit Michigan.gov/Invasives/Take-Action to find out more. |
 Did you know that many of the plants that are most invasive in local natural areas originally arrived as ornamental garden plants? You can prevent the introduction and spread of invasives by purchasing plants at local nurseries and through landscapers that have committed to not selling high-threat invasive ornamental plants. Find out more at the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network’s Go Beyond Beauty website.
Are you a pond or aquarium hobbyist? Many plants and animals that we use in aquariums and backyard ponds have been imported from other parts of the world. While they are excellent for enhancing your aquatic friends’ environments, they may be harmful to Michigan’s native ecosystems if they are released into the wild. Find safe ways to manage unwanted or excess plants and aquarium pets through Michigan’s Reduce Invasive Pet and PLant Escapes (RIPPLE) program.
If you’re looking to learn more about invasives and how to tackle them, check out the NotMiSpecies webinar series. These webinars explore how agencies, organizations and individuals can work together to protect Michigan’s important natural resources.
To learn more about preventing and managing invasive species all year round, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives. |
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