The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has close to 1,400 employees year-round and hires an additional 1,600 seasonally. These employees work hard to conserve and protect Michigan’s natural and cultural resources for not only today’s enjoyment, but for future generations.

Most recreationists are unaware of the 5,000-plus volunteers who work in tandem every year with these DNR employees protecting our resources. Volunteers are unpaid and driven by their connection to the natural environment. They are some of Michigan’s most dedicated members of the “work force.”

Shining stars

For example, who brings snowshoes to a river cleanup?

Now nearing retirement, I have worked for a long time as the volunteer coordinator for DNR’s Forest Resources Division. Twenty years ago, I was flipping through project photos when I saw something that surprised me.

A volunteer named Jim Heffner from Grand Traverse County had donned snowshoes to walk across a mucky portion of the river to clean up cans and scattered debris.

That was the day I realized the power and perseverance of our volunteers.

He and many others were volunteering with the award-winning Boardman River Clean Sweep group led by Norm Fred. Almost anyone in the Grand Traverse Region is familiar with Norm’s work, including his thousands of hours floating and cleaning the rivers, as well as running a program that pays homeless people to help remove trash illegally dumped on public lands.

Fred has volunteered for DNR programs for more than two decades.

When asked why he started to volunteer his response was not surprising.

“When fishing on the Boardman one day, I thought I reached the end, but I found my beginning,” he said.

Individuals and groups from every walk of life – from Cub Scouts to motorsport and hunt clubs – have heartfelt connections to the land and show their dedication by giving back.

They build, install and maintain bird nesting platforms, clear brush from trails and plant trees. They collect native seeds for planting and work hard to help eradicate invasive species.

The Lansing Motorcycle Club is just one example. Even though most members live in Ingham County with club grounds in Missaukee County, they work on multiple projects across the state every year.

The club’s Hunt family and their friends have planted flowers and trees, torn down buildings, pulled invasive plant species, maintained trails, stabilized streambanks and literally removed tons of trash from public land.

Educators and watchdogs

DNR volunteers are not just boots-on-the-ground, but also an army of educators and eyes in the field.

Volunteer recreational safety instructors teach our children how to operate boats and snowmobiles, as well as how to hunt safely. Year after year these volunteers play an integral role in passing down land and conservation ethics to future generations.

Volunteers are committed for every season.

While some work during the winter months to keep the trails groomed for skiing and snowmobiling, the activity really picks up once the snow clears.

Other volunteers sit near ponds to track frog and toad populations as they emerge after winter’s snows retreat. Come summer, volunteers are out protecting piping plover nests and educating visitors about these once near-extinct birds. Autumn brings the popular harvest festivals at state parks, which would not happen without our high-energy volunteers.

State park and rustic state forest campground volunteer hosts dedicate a minimum of four weeks a year to live on-site at DNR campgrounds. In exchange for a spot at the campsite, they greet customers, conduct light maintenance, host coffee hours and children’s activities and help direct traffic during busy weekends.

When filling out park surveys, it is not uncommon for park visitors to write about wanting to return and spend time with these annual volunteers. Harbors and lighthouses also have host programs.

Not surprisingly, these dedicated DNR volunteers become friends with land managers and work side by side to care for the land and water.

DNR volunteer coordinators often wake up to an email or voicemail about trees that have blown over a trail or a new trash site that has popped up in the forest. It seems that volunteers never sleep.

Even further

Often volunteer groups take the extra step to fund and initiate improvements to public lands. Michigan’s off-road vehicle, snowmobile and nonmotorized trails programs are comprised of over 100 grant sponsor, nonprofit organizations and Friends groups that volunteer their time clearing, grading, grooming, mowing, writing grants and managing construction projects approved by the DNR.

Many friends groups raise and commit funds for construction projects.

Friends of the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail have raised hundreds of thousands over the years for trail surfacing projects and to fund maintenance operations on the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail. The Friends of the Betsie Valley Trails also have raised thousands of dollars to fund conceptual design of trail paving and extensions into the Village of Elberta. Club members also maintain the Betsie Valley Trail.

The next time you are recreating in the forest, visiting a state park, boating or fishing, take the time to look around and consider the impact volunteers have had on your experience.

Michelle O’Kelly, volunteer coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said she realizes that increased gas prices this year will put an additional burden on our volunteers.

History shows that most are so committed that they will find a way to continue the work.

“If all of us would take the time to do something within a 5-mile radius of where we live and work, we can accomplish great things,” she said.

Want to become part of the team? Check out volunteer opportunities at Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers

Check out previous Showcasing the DNR stories in our archive at Michigan.gov/DNRStories. To subscribe to upcoming Showcasing articles, sign up for free email delivery at Michigan.gov/DNR.

“Michigan’s conservation officers are in the field every day, doing their utmost to protect our state’s unrivaled woods, waterways and wildlife and the Michiganders and visitors who enjoy them,” said Gov. Whitmer. “On Conservation Officer Appreciation Day and every day, we commend these officers for their service, bravery and unyielding commitment to public safety, positive outdoor recreation experiences and sustainable natural resources. Together, we will strive to be good stewards of our phenomenal parks and public lands so we can pass them on to our children and children’s children.”

As sworn law enforcement officers who live in the counties they patrol, conservation officers are embedded members of their communities, equipped with the tools they need to respond to life-threatening, general criminal, and search and rescue events where time is of the essence.

Last year, Michigan COs contacted more than 387,000 people, delivering natural resource protection, education, safety tips and general law enforcement services to ensure people responsibly enjoyed the outdoors.

“In addition to our traditional fish and game role, our officers serve as an integral part of the community policing and public safety response networks in the counties where they are assigned.”

In this short video, meet a Grand Rapids man and his family who were helped by a DNR officer after a life-threatening chainsaw accident in Oceana County.

March 31 academy application deadline

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Michigan conservation officer, the DNR is hiring recruits for the upcoming 2022 academy. Get all the information you need about this unique law enforcement career and connect with a recruiter at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.

Questions? Email DNR-LawEnforcement@Michigan.gov.

Last month, the DNR announced upcoming regulation changes adopted by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. One notable change is the expansion of underwater spearfishing opportunities that will now include the chance to harvest additional species.

Starting April 1, underwater spearfishing for walleye, northern pike and lake trout has been added for Lake Michigan (waters south of the southernmost pier at Grand Haven) and Lake Huron (waters south of the southernmost pier of the Thunder Bay River, extending south to the mouth of the St. Clair River [Fort Gratiot Light]).

This opportunity requires a new underwater spearfishing license along with monthly effort and harvest reporting requirements. The underwater spearfishing license is complimentary, unless a DNR Sportcard is needed, and will be available only online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses. See page 16 of the 2022 fishing guide (available on the DNR guides and digests page) for more on this spearfishing opportunity.

Everyone planning to fish is encouraged to periodically review the digital version of the fishing guide for regulation updates throughout the 2022 fishing season. For tips on getting started, choosing locations, targeting different species and other “how to” information, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.

Questions? Contact the DNR Fisheries Division main line at 517-284-5830 and select option 4.

Many states require this documentation before you can rent a boat, personal watercraft or other equipment to participate in a season. If you’ve misplaced your certificate, don’t worry. Anyone who has already completed a Michigan hunter, bow, marine, ORV, snowmobile or trapper education course can request a duplicate safety certificate.

Recreational safety education courses are available to complete online from the comfort of your home and at your own pace at Michigan.gov/RecreationalSafety.

Questions? Send an email to DNR-LED-RecSafety@Michigan.gov.

Every year, the program helps almost 300 schools around the state raise chinook salmon in their classrooms, in preparation for spring release during field trips to local, approved rivers, lakes and streams.

Participating teachers get free professional development, a teacher’s guide and a curriculum guide with more than 30 classroom activities to help students explore Great Lakes ecology, water quality, life stages, anatomy, invasive species and much more. Teachers also earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours, as approved by the Michigan Department of Education.

“Salmon in the Classroom isn’t just another routine activity; it’s a front-row seat to science,” said DNR aquatic education coordinator Tracy Page.

“Teachers and students commit to learning everything they need to know in order to raise these fish from egg stage to smolt stage, and it’s like the kids go through a transformation, too,” she said. “There’s just something special about seeing the pride in these kids’ eyes when they’re placing their young fish into the river for the first time.”

Questions? Watch this Salmon in the Classroom video and get more program details – including timeline and application process – at Michigan.gov/SIC or contact Tracy Page at 989-277-0630.