DNR: Cleanup tips for winter storm-damaged trees

DNR: Cleanup tips for winter storm-damaged trees

by | Dec 27, 2022 | Recreation

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Ice and snow encase tree branches in a wintry closeup image

Cleanup tips for winter storm-damaged branches, injured trees

High winds and heavy snowfall from winter storms over the last week have left some Michigan homeowners with injured trees or broken branches. Safety is a big concern when dealing with storm cleanup, especially in freezing cold temperatures.

After a storm, first assess whether there are broken tree limbs located near power lines or lying on your home. These should be dealt with by professionals. Experts should also handle any hanging branches and split limbs you can’t reach from the ground. Stay away from debris tangled in power lines and immediately notify your utility company.

After hazardous limbs are addressed, proper pruning and care of your injured trees are important for safety and for the long-term health of the trees. This can be accomplished when work conditions are safer in spring.

If your trees have only weathered minor damage, the winter pruning tips offered in this “Showcasing the DNR” story can help ensure the health of your trees. For other common situations, see the following tips:

  • Get expert help for climbing or chainsaw work. Licensed arborists are tree care professionals trained to assess  storm-damaged trees; they have the experience needed to determine how much of a tree can or should be saved. Always ask for proof of licensing, insurance and work references. Find more information about hiring an arborist from ISA-Michigan, Michigan’s chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
  • Keep pests in mind when disposing of wood. Wood left behind after trees are damaged by storms may harbor insects or diseases harmful to forests. Moving debris out of the local area can spread pests.
  • Recycle or re-use woody storm debris. Check the national Don’t Move Firewood campaign for recommendations on seasoning and using local firewood.

Helpful resources

Questions? Email [email protected].
DNR: $23.3 million to boost outdoor recreation

DNR: $23.3 million to boost outdoor recreation

by | Dec 15, 2022 | Recreation

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DNR News
Dec. 15, 2022
Contact: Jon Mayes, 517-284-5954

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board recommends $23.3 million to boost outdoor recreation

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board recommended Wednesday to the Michigan Legislature that 45 recreation development projects and land acquisitions totaling $23,306,200 be funded in 2023. The board this year considered a total of 124 applications seeking over $53 million in funding. In a competitive process, all eligible applications were evaluated based on scoring criteria approved by the Trust Fund board.

“Since its establishment 46 years ago, the Trust Fund has contributed more than $1.3 billion in grants to local governments, greatly improving the quality of life of Michigan residents and visitors through diverse and accessible outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Whether you’re hiking a paved trail close to home, birdwatching in a community park or watching your grandkids enjoy an accessible playground, all of these Trust Fund-supported experiences greatly benefit our mental and physical health and significantly contribute to local economies.”

The Trust Fund board recommends funding to both state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions that will further access to public outdoor recreation.

This year, the board recommended $15 million for acquisition grants and $8.3 million for development grants. There were eight acquisition grants awarded to local units of government for a total of $4,305,500, while seven acquisition grants went to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for projects totaling $10,698,000. The Trust Fund board also recommended a total of $8,302,700 in 30 development grants be awarded to local units of government.

“The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, with the tradition of leveraging critical match dollars, plays a vital role for economic and quality-of-life drivers in our state,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “Michigan residents and visitors continue to depend on accessible outdoor recreation, like trails, playgrounds, sports fields and parks, to connect with nature while enjoying a break from their daily routines.”

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest and earnings on funds derived from the revenues of state-owned oil, gas and minerals. Over the past 46 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1.3 billion to state and local units of government to develop and improve recreation opportunities in Michigan.

“We place great value on conserving our unique outdoor spaces and encouraging residents and guests to experience them, and one way we do this is through grants provided by the Trust Fund,” said Sam Cummings, Trust Fund board chair. “These grants are the result of years of strategic stewardship and thoughtful management. It is fitting then, that the benefits of this stewardship are returned to the people through reinvestment in public land.”

The Trust Fund board’s recommendations will go to the Michigan Legislature for review as part of the appropriations process. Upon approval, the Legislature forwards a bill to the governor for her signature.

A list of the final recommendations made by the Trust Fund board is available at Michigan.gov/MNRTF.
DNR: News Digest – Week of Dec. 12, 2022

DNR: News Digest – Week of Dec. 12, 2022

by | Dec 12, 2022 | Recreation
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News Digest – Week of Dec. 12, 2022

An owl with a dubious expression sits in a snow-covered conifer.

in Winter is a great time to get in some birding – and is an excellent community science opportunity.
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 the images used below, and others, are available in this folder. The photo in the winter birding story courtesy Michele Black Gallipolis.

Photo ambassador snapshot: Bundled up blue heron

A blue heron perches on a wooden railing in a wintry forest.Want to see more pictures like this, taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador Blair Celano at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon 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.

Winter’s for the birds – bundle up for bird counts across the state

Northern cardinals and dark-eyed juncos sit in a barren shrub, their feathers mussed by the snowy wind.While the weather outside may, as the song goes, be frightful, winter is one of the most exciting times to go birding across Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

Many new visitors from the north arrive in the colder months, including snow buntings, horned larks and dark-eyed juncos. Snowy owls, great gray owls, northern hawk owls and boreal owls also make their way into the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. Winter is the perfect season for waterfowl birding, too, as hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese and swans descend on the Great Lakes.

Participating in bird counts is a fun and fruitful way to spend winter days.

“Tracking the birds you see helps scientists better understand how birds move throughout the winter and how healthy their populations are,” said Erin Ford, conservation manager for MI Birds, a public outreach and engagement partnership between Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. “This information can help guide meaningful, on-the-ground conservation action to protect birds and the places they need.”

Upcoming winter bird count opportunities include:

Winter feeder counts (November 2022-April 2023)

If you have a birdfeeder or bird habitat visible from a window in your home or office, you’re ready to participate in a winter feeder count! Learn how to take part in Kalamazoo Nature Center’s Michigan Feeder Count or Cornell’s international Project FeederWatch. You can join these counts any time between now and April.

Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (Dec. 14, 2022-Jan. 5, 2023)

Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is entering its 123rd year, making it the longest-running community science project in the country. Add your observations to help scientists and conservationists discover trends that make the work more impactful. Visit Audubon’s interactive map to find a count near you.

Wild turkey observations (January 2023)

This January, the DNR needs help collecting wild turkey observations to help benefit turkey management across the state. The comeback of the wild turkey is one of Michigan’s greatest wildlife conservation stories.

Learn more about how you can get involved in bird conservation on the MI Birds webpage.

Questions? Contact Erin Ford at 310-383-7353.

New fat-tire bike season at Silver Lake State Park opens Thursday

Two adults in full biking gear stand on the precipice of a wind-swept, silvery sand dune.Following another successful off-road vehicle riding season and the first official shoreline horseback riding season this past November, the DNR is expanding outdoor recreation at Silver Lake State Park with fat-tire biking.

The fat-tire bike season will run Dec. 15-March 15 from 8 a.m. to dusk each day and take place at the Silver Lake ORV Area. Riders can enjoy 450 acres of open sand dunes, elevation changes of 80-100 feet, access to Lake Michigan and sunsets over the lake from the top of the dunes.

“With fat-tire bike riding growing in popularity each year, we realized this was an opportunity to usher in a new way to experience the dunes,” said Jody Johnston, Silver Lake State Park manager. “We held a couple of pilot rides to help determine if this was something that could be accommodated. We are confident this will be a popular activity and plan to offer fat-tire biking in future years.”

No reservations or preregistration are needed to enjoy the season; however, a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into the parking lot, located at 8890 West Shore Drive in Mears. A Recreation Passport self-pay station is available at the lot entrance.

“In the past, the park was not set up to accommodate horseback riding and fat-tire biking activities,” said Kasey Cline, district supervisor with the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “With the creation of a fat-tire bike season in the dunes and a horseback riding season along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the DNR is proud to introduce and expand four-season opportunities in one of Michigan’s most unique state parks.”

Visit Michigan.gov/SilverLake to learn more about Silver Lake’s fat-tire biking season, including riding rules and tips, the Recreation Passport requirement and parking information.

For more information, contact the park at 231-873-3083.

‘Smokey’s Scouts’ app brings fun (and fire safety) to your phone

A screenshot of the start page of Smokey's Scouts. A rustic wooden sign says "play."From the forest to your phone, a new game – developed by a team of fire prevention partners and featuring our favorite fire safety icon Smokey Bear – is available to play.

Players take on the role of an aspiring woodland “Smokey Scout” in a mobile matching game. Each level features increasingly tricky puzzles with a goal to help Smokey remove wildfire ignition causes like matches or sparks. Smokey trivia and fire prevention facts make appearances along the way.

Nature lovers will recognize famous backdrops in the game featuring national parks and forests.

The Smokey’s Scouts app is available for iPhone and Android devices; learn more and download the Smokey’s Scouts game.

New episodes of Outdoor Channel’s ‘Wardens’ start Dec. 30

A female conservation officer checks harvested waterfowl during a training scenario.Ready for a closer look at the work of conservation officers, biologists, foresters, park employees, naturalists and many others who help conserve, protect and manage our state’s natural and cultural resources? Set a reminder for Friday, Dec. 30, and a new season of “Wardens” – the Outdoor Channel’s TV show chronicling the lives of conservation officers in America since 2011.

This year’s episodes take viewers to locations across the state, including a walleye survey on Lake Gogebic, the Upper Peninsula’s largest natural inland lake; Hot Boat weekend at Hardy Dam on the Muskegon River and waterfowl hunting in the Saginaw Bay area.

“There is so much to do and explore in Michigan’s great outdoors, and DNR conservation officers and park rangers are glad to be on hand to ensure people are having a great time safely and responsibly and are respecting the state’s natural resources,” said David Haupt, who works out of the DNR’s Gladwin field office and helps coordinate with the show.

“‘Wardens’ pulls the curtain back a little, showing everyone the work the department does, and the pride we take in caring for fish, wildlife, woods and water – and in helping people better connect to these amazing resources,” he said.

The Michigan DNR first partnered with the Outdoor Channel on production of the television series in 2016. New episodes air on the Outdoor Channel Friday at 9:30 p.m., and then are repeated Saturday at 5:30 a.m., Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and Monday at 10:30 a.m. “Wardens” also continues to be available on WLUC FOX UP Sunday morning at 9:30.

Michigan-based Wolf Creek Productions is filming episodes at locations around the state. Conservation officers and staff from other DNR divisions and program areas will be featured throughout the season.

Questions? Contact David Haupt at 517-420-0819.

THINGS TO DO

People of all abilities can enjoy Michigan’s natural and cultural resources no matter the season. Check out accessible recreation opportunities across the state.

BUY & APPLY

Want to get into hunting, boating, snowmobiling and other outdoor opportunities, but don’t know where to start? Find a recreational safety course near you.

GET INVOLVED

Winter bird counts are just one way to be a community scientist, and there are many other ways to get involved in efforts in Michigan and beyond!
13 counties share $1.9 million in Recreation Passport grant

13 counties share $1.9 million in Recreation Passport grant

by | Dec 12, 2022 | Recreation

 
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two men and a woman wearing shorts, T-shirts and bike helmets ride their bicycles on a paved trail, which is surrounded by lush, green trees
Dec. 9, 2022
Contact: Christie Bayus (DNR Grants), [email protected]

Parks and trails in 13 counties to share $1.9 million in Recreation Passport grant funding

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced nearly $2 million in Recreation Passport grants will be awarded to 14 communities for public recreation enhancement projects in 13 counties: Allegan, Alpena, Baraga, Benzie, Berrien, Delta, Eaton, Gladwin, Kent, Newaygo, Sanilac, St. Clair and Wayne.

“Recreation Passports help more Michiganders explore Pure Michigan and secure critical resources to improve state, local, and community parks,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Michigan has always been a four-season recreation destination, and the enhancements made possible through Recreation Passport grants help ensure residents and visitors of all abilities can enjoy a rich variety of activities and experiences every day of the year.”

See the full story ►

The funding will support the addition of beach volleyball courts at a park in Alpena County, a splashpad in Kent County, a new park welcome center in Newaygo County and park development in Berrien and Delta counties, and much more.

Since the introduction of the Recreation Passport in 2010, support for it has steadily grown. The Recreation Passport grant program – which has awarded just over $16.5 million statewide since its inception – is funded from 10% of Recreation Passport revenues, with the remaining funding supporting state parks operation and maintenance, capital improvements, cultural and historic resources in state parks, forest recreation, and marketing and promotion.
DNR: News Digest – Week of Dec. 12, 2022

DNR: News Digest – Week of Dec. 5, 2022

by | Dec 5, 2022 | Recreation
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News Digest – Week of Dec. 5, 2022

Two adult anglers walk across an iced-over lake.

If your appreciation for lakes goes year-round, take the Intro to Lakes Online course.
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 the images used below, and others, are available in this folder.

Photo ambassador snapshot: Snow in Saugatuck

A large brick mansion blanketed with deep snow.Want to see more pictures like this, taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador Greg Viau just outside Saugatuck State Park in Allegan 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.

Michigan history awards nominations close Dec. 31

A black and white photo of a man with pale skin and close-cropped hair wearing a formal suit. He has a slight smile on his face.Time is running out to nominate a deserving person for one of two history awards presented by the DNR’s Michigan History Center and the Michigan Historical Commission.

The Gov. John B. Swainson (pictured) Award was created to recognize the efforts made by public employees who don’t work in history-related fields to preserve and share Michigan history. Past awards have gone to people from around the state, recognizing efforts that ranged from creating community resources and learning centers for local history to preserving endangered historic vehicles and architectural elements.

The Milliken/Adams/Austin/Kelley Award looks at broader contributions over time. Known as the MAAK Award, it recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional leadership and vision in support of Michigan history; it is not limited to the public sector.

When nominations for the awards opened earlier this year, Brian James Egen, president of the Michigan Historical Commission, said the commission wanted to elevate “the importance and the impact of individual efforts to share and preserve Michigan history.

“If Michiganders are to share a vision for our state’s future, we first must share an understanding of our state’s past,” he said.

Nominations must be received by Dec. 31. For more information, including the nomination form, FAQs and historical background on the awards, visit the awards page.

Questions? Contact Michelle Davis at [email protected].

Grow your appreciation for Michigan’s inland lakes with Introduction to Lakes Online course

An illustration of a girl wearing a snorkel encountering fish and a turle underwater.Lakes hold a special place in our hearts – no matter if you’re a Michigander born and raised, or a visitor to the Great Lakes State – and can provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Visiting natural areas can improve mood, reduce stress and boost immune systems.

Whether you live on a lake, frequent a secret fishing spot or escape the daily grind on a camping trip to a serene lake in the woods, lakes provide irreplaceable benefits to our mental and physical health and deserve our appreciation and attention.

Michigan State University Extension is offering a unique opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of inland lakes with enrollment in the Introduction to Lakes Online course, a nationally recognized, award-winning, six-week class in a convenient, self-paced online format. The course is designed for anyone who has a passion or curiosity for inland lakes, including lakefront property owners, local government officials, lake managers and educators. Course instructors include MSU Extension educators and state agency personnel.

Registration and course information

The course kicks off Jan. 10, and runs through March 3. Registration is open now through Jan. 8, with an early-bird discount of $95 per person if registered by Dec. 19. Scholarships are available. Registration information is available on the Introduction to Lakes Online course webpage.

Since the course was first offered online in 2015, more than 1,500 people across the country have taken it. Participants consistently praise the content and interactions they have with instructors and other students.

Students have week-by-week, 24/7 access to six online units, complete with prerecorded video lectures, interactive activities, additional resources and quizzes. Students communicate with each other and instructors through lively discussion forums and biweekly webinars. Ask-an-expert webinars provide opportunities to learn from experts at the DNR, Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Course topics include lake ecology, watersheds, shorelines, Michigan water law, aquatic plant management and community involvement. A certificate of completion is awarded to those who finish the course, and students receive a free, one-year membership to the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association.

Students also can receive continuing education credits, including 16 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Pesticide Applicator Re-Certification credits and educational hours in the MSU Extension Master Citizen Planner, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs.

Questions? Contact Paige Filice (MSU Extension) at 517-676-7291 or Joe Nohner (DNR) at 517-599-6825.

Natural Resources Commission to meet Thursday in Lansing

Two antlerless deer stand in a forested clearing, looking back at the camera with alertness.

The next meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission – Thursday, Dec. 8, in Lansing – leads off with a Wildlife Committee agenda that includes an overview of human-wildlife interactions and management. Staff from the DNR Wildlife and Fisheries divisions and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will present the information.

The meeting also will include presentations on a DNR Wildlife Division lifesaving award and the 2022 Wildlife Division Biologist of the Year, the 2022 deer hunting seasons, upcoming fisheries orders and wildlife rehabilitation regulations, plus a legislative update and several land transactions.

The day starts at 9:30 a.m. in West Campus Rooms M119-121 of Lansing Community College, 5708 Cornerstone Drive. See the draft meeting agenda at Michigan.gov/NRC.

For more information or to request time to speak at the meeting, contact Victoria Lischalk at 517-599-1067 or [email protected].

THINGS TO DO

Family hikes, holiday open houses, volunteer days and more; if you wan to explore and enjoy natural and cultural resources, check out the DNR events calendar.

BUY & APPLY

Did you catch a mighty big fish in 2022? You may be a Master Angler in the making – apply for the Master Angler title and state record, but get your application in by Jan. 10, 2023.

GET INVOLVED

Whether you buy firearms, ammunition, archery equipment or hunting licenses, you help wildlife and much more through the federal Wildlife Restoration program. Thank you for supporting wildlife!
DNR News Digest – Week of Nov. 28, 2022

DNR News Digest – Week of Nov. 28, 2022

by | Nov 29, 2022 | Recreation

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News Digest – Week of Nov. 28, 2022

Fresh, undisturbed snow blankets a long, peaceful line of trees.

Learn to make snowshoes, take a lantern-lit hike and more during December.
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 the images used below, and others, are available in this folder.

Photo ambassador snapshot: Winter on the wing

Two Canada geese fly over a white and blue lanscape.Want to see more pictures like this, taken by Michigan state parks photo ambassador Tim Largent at Muskegon State Park in Muskegon 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.

Add Victorian charm to your holidays at Mann House open house

Vintage-style ornaments, lights and ribbon decorate a holiday tree. There’s something special about the holiday season that draws us to look back at bygone days. You can scratch that itch at Mann House, a DNR Michigan History Center museum in the historic village of Concord in Jackson County. The Victorian-era museum will host its holiday open house Dec. 2-4 and 9-11. Enjoy live holiday music played on the Mann House piano Saturday afternoons.

Mann House was the home of sisters Jessie and Mary Ida Mann from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. The rooms exhibit everything from furniture to fashion to mementos of the sisters’ world travels. A team of volunteers recently transformed the museum with holiday trees and handmade decorations in preparation for the open house.

“Mann House is usually open only during the summer,” said Michigan History Center historian Laurie Perkins. “The holiday open house allows us to tell the story of the Mann sisters from a different angle. Even people who would not describe themselves as history buffs find a little bit of joy and an interesting discovery when they tour the museum home during the holidays.”

Admission to the Mann House holiday open house is free. Plan your visit now and enjoy some historical holiday cheer.

Get involved in taking care of Michigan’s natural, cultural resources in December

A person holds three black bear cubs against their chest. The bears are adorable.Want to help us protect and promote Michigan’s natural and cultural resources? Here are a few ways you can get involved with the DNR in December.

State park stewardship

Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays in December. Volunteers are needed to help with removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks.

Workdays are scheduled at Bald Mountain Recreation Area in Oakland County, Belle Isle Park in Wayne County, Fort Custer Recreation Area in Kalamazoo County, Island Lake Recreation Area in Livingston County, Muskegon State Park in Muskegon County, Saugatuck Dunes State Park in Allegan County, Warren Dunes State Park in Berrien County and Yankee Springs Recreation Area in Barry County.

More details about the workdays and how to register can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar.

Winter bird counts

You can contribute to science while you’re birding! Winter bird counts help scientists better understand winter bird movements, assess bird population health and guide meaningful conservation action.

Join Audubon’s 123rd Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 14 through Jan. 5, 2023. Data submitted by volunteers helps scientists identify long-term population trends and movements for hundreds of bird species across North America.

You can also count birds at your feeder for efforts like Kalamazoo Nature Center’s Michigan Winter Feeder Count or the national Project FeederWatch.

Be on the lookout for bear dens

If you’re out enjoying the outdoors in the northern Lower Peninsula, let us know if you spot any bear dens. We’re looking for locations of denned bears to grow the surrogate sow program, which places orphaned bear cubs with mother bears.

Learn more about this program and what to do if you find a bear den.

Gifts that give back

Check some shopping off your list and support natural and cultural resources with our holiday gift guide. These unique items make perfect stocking stuffers, teacher gifts or gift basket essentials for those who love to camp, hunt, fish, boat, explore and more.

The guide includes products inspired by Michigan’s great outdoors, gifts for tree lovers, a wildlife-themed family game, and vintage, Michigan history-themed apparel, drinkware, prints and more. Sales support state parks, trails, waterways, community forestry programs, and Michigan history and wildlife education.

For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.

Fun, learning on the agenda for December events

A vintage-style hurricane lantern hangs from a hook at dusk in winter.Here are a few ways to get out and enjoy Michigan’s natural and cultural resources in December. For a full list of events, see Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar.

Lantern-lit hikes

For a unique night outdoors, head out to one of seven Enchanted Borealis Trail hikes taking place in December at Seven Lakes State Park in Holly or Ionia State Recreation Area and featuring lanterns, holiday lights and campfires.

At Ionia, there will be a community campfire where you can warm up and hang out. At Seven Lakes, you can rent your own campfire spot for $20 (wood and fire starting included) as a fundraiser for the park. Bring materials to roast marshmallows! The events are free, but registration is required for the Seven Lakes State Park event.

Family fun in Detroit

If you live in the Detroit area or are planning some holiday fun nearby, check out events at the DNR Outdoor Adventure this December. There’s Sensory Sunday, when visitors with sensory processing differences can enjoy sensory-friendly building hours, which coincides with the OAC’s monthly free admission day.

Education programs include a program for seniors about white pine logging and its impact on Michigan and for kids, one about antlered animals. There are opportunities to explore archery, and there’s plenty of family fun, with the continuing series of Fall Family Hikes at state parks and days featuring outdoor “reindeer games” and indoor snowball fights and fishing for prizes. Find more details about these and other programs on the Outdoor Adventure Center events calendar.

Learn to craft traditional snowshoes

As the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy prepares for a new year of classes that offer expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning, there’s still space available in the last class of 2022.

In the snowshoe-making class at Ludington State Park, Dec. 17-18, participants will learn to weave a pair of traditional wooden snowshoes that can be used for hiking throughout the winter, given as holiday gifts or displayed as home decor. Outdoor Skills Academy classes cover a range of outdoor activities, from hunting and fishing to birding and maple syrup-making.

Learn more about what’s on the 2023 schedule so far at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills.

Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K registration open; expands to other states

A cartoon image of Bob Ross walks through a forest while holding a paintbrush, text says "Run for the Trees."Inspired by Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan DNR, Bob Ross Inc. and hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations across Michigan hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The program quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K. Registration for the 2023 Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K is now open.

Participants can complete the outdoor 5K anywhere and anytime between April 22 and 28. For $34 per person, participants will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks.

Over the past three years alone, more than 52,000 participants across all 50 states and several countries, including Australia, England and Mexico, have participated in the event, which has raised more than $1 million in net proceeds.

Now in its fourth year, the Happy Little 5K program has expanded to include three other states. Together, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina and Wisconsin will “lock arms” to raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in state parks.

“Through a partnership with Bob Ross, Inc. the Happy Little 5K concept quickly became a way to honor the late Bob Ross and create a legacy event,” said Michelle O’Kelly, fund developer and Happy Little Trees race director for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “Today, we are proud to announce that we are expanding the impact across the United States.”

Proceeds from the 5K provide a stable funding source to be used toward invasive plant and forest pest management and early detection surveys in Michigan state parks and recreation areas. Many of these locations have been affected by tree pests and diseases like emerald ash borer and oak wilt.

“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear: nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees, too, of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”

Learn more about the program at Michigan.gov/DNRHappyLittleTrees, or sign up for the race directly.

For more information, contact Michelle O’Kelly at 517-881-5884.

DNR parks employees honored for lifesaving actions

Many DNR employees stand posed for the camera. Four in the front hold their awards. People come to Michigan state parks to enjoy the great outdoors, but sometimes unexpected circumstances can threaten visitors’ safety. For their actions on three such occasions this year, several DNR Parks and Recreation employees were honored with the division’s Lifesaving Awards at the Nov. 10 .Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting.

At about 3 a.m. on June 12, park rangers Gerard Molaison and Travis Hall were notified by Central Dispatch in Roscommon County that two individuals had capsized their kayaks, about 1,000 yards offshore, in South Higgins Lake State Park. The rangers were able to locate the individuals, pull them into the rangers’ boat, check them for hypothermia and safely return them to their campsites.

On June 28, Grand Haven State Park Supervisor Andrew LundBorg, Lead Ranger Arica Johnson and Park Ranger Sarah Loughman were working at the park when red flag conditions were in effect. LundBorg and his staff were notified of multiple swimmers in distress. Most of the swimmers made it back to shore, but they saw one young man had been swept beyond the swim buoys. LundBorg donned a life vest and grabbed a rope, then worked with Loughman and Johnson to pull the young man to safety, undoubtedly saving his life.

On June 16, Park Ranger Dominic Goulette and state workers Claire Hines and Haley Spalding set out to Devoe Lake Beach in Rifle River Recreation Area to adjust swim buoys. They were alerted to an adult woman struggling to stay afloat outside the buoyed swim area. Hines swam to the woman and put her in a rescue hold to swim her back to shore. Goulette and Spalding assisted them in a lifeboat. The woman said she wouldn’t have made it without their help.

For more on these awards or general information on Michigan state parks, contact Parks and Recreation Division Chief Ron Olson at 517-243-1477.

THINGS TO DO

If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to entertain kids over the holidays, check out our Nature at Home programs. Learn about the world around us, and most importantly, have fun!