by Becky Andrus | May 3, 2022 | Regional News
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News Digest – Week of May 2, 2022
When you need to get away from it all, there are few better places than on the water!
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| Here are just a few of this week’s stories 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 some 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 Jamie Ball at Silver Lake State Park in Oceana 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.
 Whether it’s a walk through your neighborhood or a hike in the wilderness, or something in between, getting outside can help lower stress and improve attention, mood and connection to the earth and each other. Nature comes in all shapes and forms, and no matter how you engage with it, nature can have incredible benefits for our brains.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a great time to get out of the house and away from screens. There is strong evidence that nature has a huge effect on overall well-being, and incorporating a little “green therapy” into our days can help us become happier, more resilient people. If you’re feeling the strain of modern life, try getting outside – even if it’s just a little while. Take in the world around you, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy discovering how you fit in the natural world.
Lisa Nisbet, a psychologist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, studies connectedness in nature. In an April 2020 article – “Nurtured by Nature” – by Kirsten Weir on the American Psychological Association website, Nisbet said:
“There is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human wellbeing. You can boost your mood just by walking in nature, even in urban nature. And the sense of connection you have with the natural world seems to contribute to happiness even when you’re not physically immersed in nature.”
Marveling at historic sites, bathing in lush state forests, exploring fish hatcheries and weirs, discovering state parks and trails – we’ve got plenty of ideas about where to build your connection to the outdoors! Get started at Michigan.gov/DNR/Places. |
 They’re found in every county in our state, but you still might be tempted to go full cloak-and-dagger or blindfold your friends before heading out to your favorite spot – it’s that time of year, the annual Michigan treasure hunt that is morel month!
Morel mushrooms are a beloved forest treat that emerge in springtime, usually when warm weather arrives following a good rain. Look for their pitted, bumpy profiles near hilly areas with hardwood trees and around burn scars where a wildfire or prescribed burn has happened.
Before you head into the forest to search for a patch, make sure you know how to properly identify morels for safety; there are wild mushrooms in Michigan that can make you seriously ill. All wild mushrooms should be cleaned and fully cooked before enjoying. |
 Learn the basics about morel mushrooms from the DNR at Michigan.gov/MiMorels. You’ll find a map of last year’s prescribed burn and wildfire areas on public lands to point you in the direction of locations where morels could grow. Find more advanced mushroom information from the Midwest American Mycological Information website.
Be aware that morels and other foraged finds on state-managed lands are for personal use only and not for resale.
Want to sell morels or other foraged mushrooms? Michigan’s food code requires certification to lawfully sell wild mushrooms. Get certified through a partner program offered by MAMI.
To learn more about wild-foraged foods and how to get started, visit Michigan.gov/Foraging or contact Rachel Coale at 517-930-1283.
Spring/summer wild mushroom clinics
And if you’re looking for some expert-led guidance and hands-on learning on how to identify, find, clean and consume a variety of wild mushrooms, sign up for upcoming wild mushroom clinics at Mitchell State Park in Cadillac May 29, June 19, July 10 and Aug. 20. |
 While most people run away from a blazing wildfire, highly trained DNR wildland firefighters are ready to head toward danger to protect people, property and nature – and they have the knowledge and tools to do the job right.
May 4, International Firefighters’ Day, recognizes the courage of firefighters around the world and honors those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
“DNR wildland firefighters respond to hundreds of wildfires every year,” said state fire supervisor Dan Laux. “Whether the fire starts on state-managed lands or in a family forest, our teams are ready to protect communities.”
Partnerships with local and federal fire units provide a strong support network across the state, and – when needed – the DNR provides tools, equipment and personnel to aid other states experiencing extreme wildfire. This allows staff to sharpen their skills and learn new techniques. Even with a cool and wet spring this year, DNR firefighters have responded to multiple wildland fires in Michigan, which have burned about 217 acres. They have also served on nine out-of-state dispatches. |
 DNR firefighters also work to improve wildlife habitat with carefully planned prescribed burns, share fire prevention tips with communities, prevent future fires by creating fire breaks (areas around vulnerable communities cleared of vegetation and combustible material to stop the spread of wildfire) and remove hazardous trees from woodland roads.
If you see firefighters in the field, give them space to do their work. Whether they’re fighting fire or performing a prescribed burn, don’t park on a roadway to watch. Please keep moving and don’t interrupt, which could endanger you and firefighters. Do not fly drones in active wildfire areas – this can be dangerous for spotter plane pilots and impede critical aerial support.
The No. 1 way to help your local firefighter is by preventing wildfires. Check if conditions are right to burn and make sure to get a burn permit before lighting yard debris. Always practice safe burning.
Interested in training to become a DNR wildland firefighter? Connect with a fire officer in your area to learn about seasonal and full-time opportunities.
Questions? Contact Rachel Coale at 517-930-1283. |
 If you’re looking for something new offering a lot of learning and always a little fun, give a listen to the DNR’s “Wildtalk” podcast, released on the first of each month.
In each episode, hosts Rachel Leightner and Hannah Schauer interview guests, cover wildlife habitat work going on throughout the state, highlight one of Michigan’s wildlife species and answer listener questions. You could even win a “Wildtalk” mug – listen to find out how!
May’s episode features habitat work in the southeastern Lower Peninsula, a panel discussion on the importance of leaving wildlife in the wild, and perhaps the most familiar of ducks, the mallard.
Listen to the newest episode and catch up on past episodes at Michigan.gov/DNRWildtalk, or on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Talk back to ‘Wildtalk’
For those listeners already familiar with the show, we’d like your feedback! Tell us what you think about the show in this 10-question survey. It should take just a minute or two to complete the survey, and your input will help us make “Wildtalk” even better in the future.
Questions about the podcast? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov or 517-284-9453. |
 A quiet spot in your backyard, a thicket or a patch of tall grass – these all are places where fawns have been found. If you do come across a fawn this spring, don’t touch it. There’s a very good chance it is right where it’s supposed to be.
A mother deer will hide her fawn to help protect it from predators, often leaving it unattended to avoid drawing attention to the hiding place. Young fawns have excellent camouflage and lay very still, making it harder for predators to find them.
“You may think these fawns have been abandoned, but that rarely is the case. The mother will return periodically to nurse her fawn when she feels it is safe,” said Hannah Schauer, DNR wildlife communications coordinator. “Your best move is to quietly enjoy the fawn from a distance, because leaving baby animals in the wild ensures their greatest chance for survival.”
It’s a frequent DNR message that bears repeating: only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife. Unless a person is licensed, it is illegal to possess a live wild animal, including deer, in Michigan.
Just as everyone is welcome to enjoy the wonders of Michigan’s natural world, we all share the responsibility of keeping wildlife wild. Get more tips and information on what to do if you find a baby animal at Michigan.gov/Wildlife.
Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453. |
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Planning your next family fun day? Check out our Family-Friendly Fishing Waters for places that are easy to access and offer a high likelihood of catching fish.
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The Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park’s popular native plant sale is back Saturday, May 14. Stop by 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and pick up favorites to liven your landscape!
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by Becky Andrus | May 2, 2022 | Recreation, Uncategorized
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| May 2, 2022
Contact: Cheryl Nelson 231-287-1714, or Joanne Foreman 517-284-5814
While the new name still may be unfamiliar, the invasive spongy moth, formerly referred to as gypsy moth, is well known across Michigan. In its caterpillar life stage, the insect is a voracious leaf eater.
 Spongy moth populations were high last year across Lower Michigan, and many people are wondering whether the nuisance caterpillars will be plaguing their backyard events again in 2022. To find out, NotMISpecies webinar hosts brought together experts to share their insights on the invasive moth’s history in Michigan and the U.S. and what to expect this year.
Panelists Dr. Deborah McCullough from Michigan State University, Dr. Steven Katovich of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Susie Iott of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and James Wieferich of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources together represent nearly 100 years of knowledge about the pest. Following their April 14 session, they responded to participants’ questions in a written document.
Key points from the presentation and their answers to the most-asked questions about spongy moth are summarized here. |
What is the forecast for 2022?
Based on recent aerial survey data, much of northern Lower Michigan has experienced two or three years of defoliation, which typically marks the end of an outbreak cycle. Egg mass surveys in the fall of 2021 confirmed that many areas in Michigan should expect a collapse of spongy moth activity in much of lower Michigan – meaning far fewer caterpillars this year. However, a few areas like Jackson County and parts of southwest Lower Michigan had large, healthy egg masses and may have high density populations again this summer.
What causes population crashes?
The last large-scale spongy moth outbreak occurred in Michigan from about 1992 to 1996. Since then, localized areas have experienced occasional outbreaks. Suppression efforts in the 1990s have continued to keep spongy moth populations largely in check while naturalizing infestations into Michigan’s forests and urban forest ecosystems.
In 1991, Entomophaga maimaiga, a fungal pathogen found to be killing spongy moth caterpillars in the northeastern states, was deployed in Michigan. This fungus proved an effective biological control, remaining in the soil from year to year and infecting spongy moth caterpillars that come in contact with the fungal spores. Moist soils help to activate the fungus, enabling spores to disperse and affect spongy moth populations. Caterpillars affected by the E. maimaiga fungus remain attached to tree trunks and hang straight down.
 Nucleopolyhedrosis virus occurs naturally in all spongy moth populations. NPV spreads through contact between caterpillars during outbreaks, causing a population crash. To determine whether NPV is at work in a certain location, look for dead caterpillars attached to tree trunks in an upside-down “V” position.
Both the NPV virus and E. maimaiga fungus can affect the same population, and dead NPV and fungus-killed caterpillars can be on the same tree.
These natural enemies of the spongy moth are now well-established across Michigan and are actively reducing populations. To date, these pathogens typically have limited the size and length of outbreaks to a couple years, eliminating the need for spray programs. |
Today, spongy moth outbreaks are cyclical, peaking approximately every seven to 10 years. In these years, the virus and the fungal disease are spread more easily through dense populations, eventually causing a crash.
Do these controls affect other species?
NPV and the fungal disease have important benefits – they are specific to spongy moth populations and do not affect people, pets or beneficial insects like pollinators or insect predators. In addition, they remain in the environment, continuing to help control spongy moth populations every year.
The spongy moth NPV pathogen (virus) is species-specific. It arrived with spongy moth and has driven population dynamics for over 150 years. In lab tests, the E. maimaiga fungus was able to infect a few other species, but this has not been observed outside the lab – the timing and behavior of spongy moth caterpillars result in fungal infection in spring. Native species either can’t be infected, are not present until later in the year or have other behavioral patterns that prevent them from becoming infected.
What about spray programs?
The State of Michigan does not have a statewide spray program. Spongy moth is a naturalized pest in Michigan now. However, a few areas have long-standing millages in place to help survey and spray residential areas when needed.
Outbreaks will continue to occur occasionally in local areas and, yes, every now and then we will have extensive outbreaks like the current one. While an outbreak is not pleasant for people in an affected area, it is rarely a problem for healthy trees and forests.
What can I do if spongy moth returns this year?
 First, check the spongy moth forecast for your neighborhood by looking for healthy egg masses now, before leaves expand. Healthy egg masses are larger than a quarter in size, tan or brownish in color and firm to the touch. Few egg masses and/or small (nickel-size) egg masses indicate the population is collapsing because the NPV pathogen is increasing. Old, no longer productive egg masses, like those in the above photo, are often abundant after an outbreak year and should not be counted. These masses are usually whiteish in color, may be falling apart and may have pin-size holes in the mass. An abundance of healthy egg masses suggests a heavy infestation of spongy moth caterpillars this season. |
Before choosing a control method, remember that you will not be able to eliminate all the caterpillars – the goal is to reduce the density of caterpillars around your house.
- Scraping: If healthy egg masses are found on trees, buildings or outdoor furniture around the home, act now, as egg masses can start hatching anytime! Use a scraper or hard, plastic card to scrape egg masses into a container of soapy water. Let them soak overnight, then bag and dispose of them. Alternately, egg masses can be placed in a fire and burned.
- Banding: Cut a band of burlap 18 inches wide and long enough to go around the tree trunk and overlap a bit. Tie a string around the center of the band to make a two-layered skirt around the trunk. When caterpillars climb trees daily to feed, they will get caught in the band. Scrape them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.
- Spraying: To address an infestation in a handful of individual trees, homeowners can purchase a spray containing Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, a bacterium that naturally occurs in the soil but can be lethal to certain caterpillars and moths. The best time to spray is when caterpillars are small, usually mid-May through early June. Be sure to choose an Environmental Protection Agency-registered pesticide and apply it according to label directions. Remember, there is no good reason to spray woodlots or forested areas. Healthy trees and forests can withstand periodic infestations.
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To learn more about spongy moth caterpillars and options for residents living in an outbreak area, visit the MSU IPM Gypsy Moth website. The bulletin Btk: One management option for Lymantria dispar offers detailed information about Btk management for spongy moth.
Check for upcoming NotMiSpecies webinars and watch past, recorded webinars – on everything from spongy moth to invasive carp – at Michigan.gov/Invasives. |
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by Becky Andrus | May 2, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Proclaims Small Business Week in Michigan, Encourages Michiganders to Support Local Businesses
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Whitmer proclaimed May 1 – 7 as Small Business Week in Michigan, celebrating the resiliency and contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Happy Small Business Week! Small businesses are anchors of our communities—they create jobs, build more vibrant cities and towns, and generate prosperity for Michiganders in every region of our great state,” said Governor Whitmer. ”Michigan’s small businesses are tough. They have been resilient and strong over the last couple of years and we should come together to celebrate them and their invaluable contributions to our state by shopping local not only this week, but every week. I will work with anyone to ensure that small businesses have the resources they need to succeed. Right now, our unemployment rate is 4.4% and we’ve added 174,000 year over year. Let’s keep working together to grow Michigan’s economy, create more good-paying jobs, and invest in small businesses in every county.”
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses comprise more than 98 percent of Michigan businesses and employ half of Michigan workers. For every $100 spent at a local business, roughly $68 stays in the local economy, allowing business and job growth.
In addition, according to the Michigan Retailers Association, one in five Michigan jobs are in the retail industry. In 2020, Michigan residents sent $23.7 billion to out-of-state retailers. If only one in 10 out-of-state purchases were switched to local stores, Michigan would gain $1.9 billion in increased economic activity, creating 14,000 new jobs.
Governor Whitmer is committed to supporting small businesses as Michigan continues growing its economy. Recently, the governor laid out a $2.1 billion proposal to grow Michigan’s middle class, support small businesses, and invest in communities. As Michigan’s economy grows, bolstered by a multi-billion-dollar surplus, and increasing momentum, Governor Whitmer’s proposals will tackle underlying issues faced by small businesses and make bold investments to create economic prosperity for all.
- Laid out MI New Economy, a $2.1 billion plan to grow Michigan’s middle class, support small businesses, and invest in communities.
- $500 million to build on the Michigan Mainstreet Initiative, which offers grants to restaurants, place-based businesses, and microenterprises with further dollars to attract more start-ups.
- $200 million to create a more conducive business environment for high-tech, high-growth start-ups and create jobs of the future in Michigan.
- Added 220,000 jobs in 2021, drove down unemployment and took Michigan from a projected $3 billion deficit to a $7 billion surplus.
- Enacted a bipartisan tax cut for small businesses, enabling them to grow and create jobs.
- Signed an executive directive to increase state procurement and contracts with small and geographically disadvantaged businesses.
The proclamation can be found here.
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by Becky Andrus | May 2, 2022 | Health and Wellness
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2022
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov
Michigan releases 2022 Eat Safe Fish Guides to help
residents learn about and plan for local fish consumption
Updates include a ‘Do Not Eat’ fish advisory for bluegill and sunfish in parts of
Rouge River and lifting of ‘Do Not Eat’ fish advisory for parts of Huron River
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released the 2022 regional Eat Safe Fish Guides. These guides can help Michiganders plan their fish consumption to minimize exposure to chemicals that can build up in fish, while still getting all the health benefits of eating fish.
The regional Eat Safe Fish Guides provide guidelines for eating locally caught fish. Guidelines are based on levels of chemicals found in the portions of fish that people eat – typically the filets. Test results from the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories are used to determine what is safe for people to eat over the long-term. There are many health benefits to eating fish and the Eat Safe Fish Guides help individuals choose the fish that are best for them and their families.
One update to the Eat Safe Fish Southeast Michigan Regional Guide is a ‘Do Not Eat’ advisory for bluegill and sunfish caught in the Lower Branch of the Rouge River and the Main Branch of the Rouge River from the Ford Estate Dam to the Detroit River. Bluegill and sunfish were collected from these parts of the river in 2021 and analyzed for harmful contaminants. Due to high levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), MDHHS recommends that people avoid eating bluegill and sunfish from this stretch of the Rouge River.
Other species of fish collected in 2019 and 2021 from this same stretch of the river were found to be contaminated with PFOS, but not at levels that call for a ‘Do Not Eat’ advisory. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is continuing to investigate possible sources of this PFOS contamination. There is also historical PCB contamination for this stretch of the river. Consumption guidelines for all other species of fish in this stretch of the Rouge River can be found in the Eat Safe Fish Southeast Michigan Regional Guide.
Another update includes the lifting of the ‘Do Not Eat’ fish advisory for most fish species from a specific stretch of the Huron River due to recent fish filet data. The advisory is lifted for the stretch of the Huron River from where it crosses I-275 in Wayne County to the river mouth at Lake Erie, including the Flat Rock impoundment.
Although the ‘Do Not Eat’ fish advisory has been lifted for most fish species from this stretch of the Huron River, fish consumption guidelines are still in place for the following species:
- Bluegill and sunfish have a recommended eight MI Servings per month due to PFOS.
- Carp have a recommended ‘Limited’ category for fish less than 28” and a recommended ‘Do Not Eat’ category for fish greater than 28” due to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins. Fish with a ‘Limited’ category should not be eaten by people under the age of 15, those who have health problems like cancer or diabetes, those who may have children in the next several years, those who are pregnant or those who are breastfeeding. People who do not fall under any of those categories are recommended to limit their consumption to one to two servings each year.
- Catfish have a recommended one MI Serving per month due to PCBs.
- Largemouth and smallmouth bass have a recommended four MI Servings per month due to PCBs and mercury.
- Rock bass still have a recommended ‘Do Not Eat’ advisory due to PFOS.
- For other fish species, refer to the statewide guidelines.
The ‘Do Not Eat’ fish advisory remains in effect for the Huron River from where the river crosses N. Wixom Road in Oakland County to where the river crosses I-275. This includes: Norton Creek (Oakland County), Hubbell Pond also known as Mill Pond (Oakland County), Kent Lake (Oakland County), Ore Lake (Livingston County), Strawberry & Zukey Lakes (Livingston County), Gallagher Lake (Livingston County), Loon Lake (Livingston County), Whitewood Lakes (Livingston County), Base Line & Portage Lakes (Livingston/Washtenaw County line), Barton Pond (Washtenaw County), Geddes Pond (Washtenaw County), Argo Pond (Washtenaw County), Ford Lake (Washtenaw County), and Belleville Lake (Wayne County).
Unlike the Michigan Department of Natural Resource’s Michigan Fishing Guide, the MDHHS Eat Safe Fish guidelines are not laws or regulations, and no one is required to follow them. Instead, the guides are a free resource for those who would like information about which fish, and how much of those fish, are healthy to eat from various bodies of water across the state.
Chemicals in fish are a worldwide problem that is not limited to Michigan and other Great Lakes states. The chemicals most commonly found in fish are mercury and PCBs. However, PFAS, including PFOS, have also been found in fish from certain bodies of water in Michigan.
It is important to note that fish from some areas in Michigan are more contaminated than others. By using the Eat Safe Fish Guides, Michigan consumers can be confident that they are making informed choices about eating the fish they catch from their local lake or river.
In addition to the Eat Safe Fish Guides, MDHHS also produces the Buy Safe Fish Guide to help residents choose seafood that is lower in mercury from local grocery stores, fish markets and restaurants. The Eat Safe Fish Guides and Buy Safe Fish Guide are available online at Michigan.gov/eatsafefish.
For more information on how to buy, eat or prepare safe fish, or to get the 2022 Eat Safe Fish Guide for your region, visit Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish and click on Find Your Area or call 800-648-6942.
by Becky Andrus | May 2, 2022 | Health and Wellness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2022
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
EGLE’s Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate promotes Drinking Water Week
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) kicks off Drinking Water Week today, which also include Private Residential Awareness Day on Tuesday, May 3. The purpose of this weeklong event is to recognize the vital role drinking water plays in daily life and the critical infrastructure required to carry it to our homes.
EGLE’s Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate (OCWPA) will use this week to educate the public on their drinking water and provide tips that residents can use to help ensure they have quality tap water by connecting residents to state drinking water resources. Every Michigander should be equipped with knowledge that helps keep their drinking water healthy.
“There are actions all of us can take to support healthy drinking water from protecting the source to getting the water moving in our home plumbing.” Said Kris Donaldson, EGLE’s Clean Water Public Advocate.
The week begins with a primer on drinking water that covers where it comes from and how it gets to your home or place of work. Knowing your water supply is key to learning about your water quality and determining who to contact with concerns. Depending on your water supply, your local health department or water supplier is likely your best resources for answering questions about your water. Residents can also report drinking water concerns online using EGLE’s Drinking Water Concern System.
Tips to reduce your risk of exposure to lead in drinking water, which is a particular concern in homes with older plumbing or those served by lead service lines, are also covered.
Private Residential Awareness Day on Tuesday will focus on the more than one million private wells in Michigan that provide drinking water to over 2.6 million Michigan people statewide. Drinking Water Week highlights important resources about well maintenance and testing found on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s (MDHHS) Care for MiWell (URL: Michigan.gov/Envirohealth) website.
Drinking Water Week also brings attention to the critical role water infrastructure plays in getting healthy drinking water to our tap. The Michigan legislature this year approved a major supplemental appropriation that includes over $1.8 billion in funding to EGLE for clean water and drinking water infrastructure projects.
For more information about Drinking Water Week, visit Michigan.gov/DrinkingWaterWeek. |
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