DNR postpones full reopening of some facilities

by | Sep 10, 2021 | Recreation

Centennial banner

– DNR News –
This Sept. 2 news release is being reissued to update weblinks.
Sept. 2, 2021

Contact: DNR-Public-Info@Michigan.gov

DNR postpones full reopening of some facilities until October

Michigan Department of Natural Resources customer service centers and certain field offices will remain on a three-days-per-week open to the public schedule – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – until at least Oct. 4.

The three-day schedule for these facilities has been in place since July 20. The offices had been set to reopen to the public five days a week after Labor Day, prior to new coronavirus advisories and recommendations.

The affected customer service centers include Baraga, Bay City, Cadillac, Detroit, Escanaba, Gaylord, Lansing, Marquette, Newberry, Plainwell, Roscommon, Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City.

These DNR offices sell hunting and fishing licenses and fuelwood permits and answer questions about hunting and fishing regulations, trails and many other outdoor recreation topics. Residents and visitors frequently stop at these locations while traveling throughout Michigan.

Fuelwood cutting permits, provided at DNR customer service centers, are free and downloadable for this season.

Find the location nearest you on this map of DNR customer service centers.

Field offices with the same public availability include Crystal Falls, Naubinway and Norway.

Additional open dates, information

  • Headquarters buildings at Michigan state parks and recreation areas and state-managed harbors are open.
  • Michigan History Center museums and historic sites vary by location. The Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee is open Wednesday-Sunday (9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), while the flagship Michigan History Museum in Lansing is open for weekend hours (Fridays/Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.) and, starting Sept. 7, by appointment for groups Monday through Thursday. The Mann House and Tawas Point Lighthouse  are closed for the 2021 season.
  • The Archives of Michigan is open by appointment Monday-Friday (1 to 5 p.m.) and, starting Sept. 7, Saturdays (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Staff continues to also provide reference services by phone and email.
  • The State of Michigan has adopted a mask mandate for the Michigan Library and Historical Center building, which is home to the Michigan History Museum and the Archives of Michigan. All visitors must wear a mask when in these spaces.
  • On Belle Isle in Detroit, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is now open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The Belle Isle Aquarium (operated by the Belle Isle Conservancy) is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. The casino and Flynn Pavilion are open for rentals. Please contact the Belle Isle administration office at 313-821-9844.
  • All DNR shooting ranges are open. Check each range’s webpage for dates and hours of operation.
  • The Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is closed through Thursday, Sept. 30 for annual maintenance, upgrades and repair. It will reopen Friday, Oct. 1.
  • Check for information on DNR fish hatcheries and weirs.

State parks and campgrounds, state game and wildlife areas, state forests and many other places are open, as they have been throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic. Follow the DNR’s COVID-19 information page for updates on all facility closures and reopening dates.

There is no longer a statewide requirement to wear a face mask in most settings; however, local health departments, establishments, sports organizers, and school districts may have additional rules that must be followed.

On Aug. 10, 2021, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updated its guidance on face coverings. In areas with substantial and high transmission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated people) wear face masks in public indoor settings to help prevent spread of COVID-19, especially the Delta variant, and to protect others. In addition, you will see DNR staff wearing masks. The public is encouraged to do the same.
DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DNR.
DNR Events – September 2021

DNR Events – September 2021

by | Sep 9, 2021 | Recreation

Share or view as webpage  |  Update preferences
Centennial banner

DNR Events – September 2021

Two people hiking on a wooded trail
Here are a few ways to get out and enjoy Michigan’s natural and cultural resources in September. For a full list of events, see the Department of Natural Resources calendar at Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar.

Take the Michigan Trails Week Challenge

Three ORVs on a road with fall foliageMichigan Trails Week – a time to celebrate our 13,000 miles of state-designated trails, thousands of miles of local, county and federally managed trails, and more rail-trail miles than any state in the nation – is Sept. 19-26.

It’s the perfect time to hit your favorite trail or find an all-new adventure. Join us to collectively travel 100,000 miles on trails across the state and earn badges (and maybe some prizes) along the way.

The 2021 Michigan Trails Week Challenge is open to trail veterans and newcomers alike – and it’s free! Simply log your miles spent on any local, county, state or federally managed trail. For each badge earned, you’ll be entered in a drawing for cool outdoor gear and Michigan-branded prizes!

Earn a badge when you register for the challenge and log at least 1 mile, and then every time you bike for 10 miles, horseback ride for 5 miles, paddle for 2 miles, ride (ORV, ATV or motorcycle) for 15 miles, or walk, run or hike for 5 miles.

Register for the Michigan Trails Week Challenge and help us hit 100,000 miles.

Explore Michigan’s Underground Railroad history

Underground Railroad monument in Battle CreekThe Michigan Freedom Trail Commission’s fourth annual Underground Railroad Heritage Gathering kicks off with weekly virtual presentations in September and culminates with a day-long event at the University of Michigan Oct. 2.

September virtual programs

To commemorate International Underground Railroad Month, four Thursday evening programs will explore the rescues of four enslaved people in Michigan in 1847. The programs, which run 7-8:30 p.m., are free and will take place via Zoom. Preregistration is required, and each presentation has its own registration link.

Annual Heritage Gathering

The annual daylong conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.

Like in previous years, the day is aimed at networking, information sharing and developing next steps in a statewide Underground Railroad collaborative. Join us and become part of the conversation! Registration for the day is $12 and includes a boxed lunch.

Register for the Heritage Gathering.

Organizers are monitoring current developments with the COVID-19 pandemic and are investigating options to make virtual sessions possible in addition to, or in place of, an in-person event. More information will be available soon.

For more information about the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission and the fourth annual heritage gathering, visit Michigan.gov/FreedomTrail.

Learn about forest health with RAM Center weekend

DNR staffer showing group of kids how to identify a treeJoin us at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon Sept. 24-26 for Family Tree: A Forest Health Education Event.

During this inclusive weekend education event, you can learn about forests and forest health from DNR experts – how DNR foresters care for and maintain forests and how you can care for the trees that live near your home. Let us know what you want to learn at this event by taking our survey.

Cost is $140 per person, which includes two nights of lodging, five meals, two bonfire snacks and all education experiences. Price reduced for children under age 10.

Book your stay by calling 989-821-6200 or emailing [email protected]. For details about education activities, email [email protected].

Nestled on the northern shore of Higgins Lake, the RAM Center is now open to families, individuals or small groups of up to two households to enjoy lodging and outdoor and education programs. Learn more at Michigan.gov/RAMCenter.

Learn how to fly fish with Outdoor Skills Academy

Join the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy for the Women ‘n Waders fly fishing class at Bay City State Park Sept. 11 and learn basic skills like knot tying, setting up equipment, angler etiquette, casting, fly tying and access points for trout fishing. Geared toward the beginner, but all women anglers are welcome!

Plan an elk viewing excursion

Elk are more active during the early fall breeding season, throughout September and October, making it the perfect time to view the wild herd. Grab your binoculars or camera and plan your route through the 13 elk viewing locations in northeast Michigan. Learn more about elk and elk viewing.
DNR News: West Nile virus survey

DNR News: West Nile virus survey

by | Sep 2, 2021 | Recreation

 
Centennial banner

– DNR News –
Sept. 2, 2021
Contacts: Michigan DNR: Julie Melotti, 517-336-5042; Minnesota DNR: Charlotte Roy, 218-328-8876; Wisconsin DNR: Alaina Gerrits, 608-513-6739

West Nile virus survey in ruffed grouse begins third study year

side view of a ruffed grouse in the Michigan forest

The study of West Nile virus in ruffed grouse will resume this fall in Michigan, after a one-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with Minnesota and Wisconsin natural resources departments, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began this multiyear study in 2018 to better understand the prevalence and distribution of the virus in ruffed grouse in the Upper Great Lakes region.

Results from previous study years suggest that while the virus is present in the Great Lakes region, grouse exposed to the virus can survive and develop antibodies as an immune response. In 2019, 20 of the 281 samples collected tested positive for exposure to the virus. Viral antibodies were confirmed in seven birds and likely in 13 additional birds. Only one juvenile male tested positive for the virus. In 2018, 28 of 213 samples were positive for exposure to the virus, with viral antibodies confirmed in nine birds and likely in 19. Four samples were positive for the virus.

“Though the virus can impact the ruffed grouse population, the impact appears to be minimal in Michigan,” said Julie Melotti, a laboratory technician at the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory. “In the Upper Peninsula, the overall health of the grouse population is more dependent on high-quality habitat, such as areas of regenerating aspen stands near stands of mature timber.  In these areas, grouse are more likely to be healthier and have stronger immune responses to disease, inclement weather and other limiting factors.”
A laboratory scientist in protective face covering, suit and gloves examines a ruffed grouse on a stainless steel table.

Sample kits have been distributed to grouse hunters in key West Nile virus surveillance areas to collect samples for viral analysis. The samples will be analyzed for antibodies, which indicate exposure to the virus, and heart tissue will be examined to screen for current presence of it. Sample kits were not distributed in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but recently have been distributed to Michigan hunters for data collection during the 2021 season. Hunters who have kits remaining from past seasons are welcome to use them and submit additional samples. Hunters who provide email contact information with their samples will be notified of their results next fall.

West Nile virus was first detected in ruffed grouse in Michigan in 2002. Transmitted by mosquitoes, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain, brain lining, and spinal cord and heart lesions in infected birds. Grouse that have contracted the virus may fly erratically, act abnormally, or appear sick, thin and in poor condition. However, these symptoms are not always present in infected grouse. If you find a bird that appears thin or sick, please report your observations to the Wildlife Disease Lab at 517-336-5030 or through the online reporting system Eyes in the Field.

While most humans that contract West Nile virus are generally symptom-free, about one in five will develop a fever with other flu-like symptoms. While spending time outdoors during periods when mosquitoes are active, the DNR recommends using an insect repellent or keeping exposed skin covered. To learn more about the West Nile virus study in ruffed grouse or about the virus in Michigan, see the West Nile Virus and Ruffed Grouse FAQ.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

  • Ruffed grouse: Results from previous study years suggest that while the West Nile virus is present in the Great Lakes region, grouse exposed to the virus can survive and develop antibodies as an immune response.
  • Laboratory: Julie Melotti, a laboratory technician at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Disease Laboratory, examines a ruffed grouse.
DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DNR.
Grants available to target invasive species

Grants available to target invasive species

by | Sep 1, 2021 | Recreation
Sept. 1, 2021

Contact: Joanne Foreman, 517-284-5814 or Erin Campbell, 269-300-9698

$3.6 million in grants available to target invasive species in Michigan

Proposals accepted through Nov. 1

Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2021 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants.

The program – a joint effort of the Michigan departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development – is part of a statewide initiative launched in 2014 to help prevent, detect and control invasive species in Michigan.

An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm, to Michigan’s environment, economy or human health.

“By engaging the public more actively and encouraging innovative new methods of keeping our Great Lakes water and land healthy this program will continue to be an asset in the battle against invasives,” said Liesl Clark, EGLE director.

Program handbook, webinar

The 2021 grant program handbook outlines program priorities and application guidelines. Applicants also can take advantage of a webinar Wednesday, Sept. 8, to learn more about general grant information, the application process and 2021 priorities.

Both the handbook and webinar registration information are available at Michigan.gov/MISGP. A recorded version of the webinar will be available at this website after Sept. 8.

2021 priorities

The program supports projects that will prevent the introduction or spread of invasive species by engaging the public in prevention practices and reducing the risk of moving invasive species into high-risk areas.

Proposals aiding early detection and response efforts for species on Michigan’s Watch List and proposals increasing regional or statewide response preparedness for new or emerging invasive species are also requested.

Technician injecting treatment into a hemlock tree trunkTo manage invasive species already established in Michigan, the program targets proposals for novel and efficient control techniques and projects that improve detection and control methods through increased understanding of species biology and ecology.

Proposals to develop or improve tools, such as risk assessments and prioritization models, to inform management and control decisions also are encouraged.

Support is offered to Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas across the state to implement strategic plans for outreach, detection and control of regional priority species.

Program progress

The Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program supports projects throughout the state that prevent, detect, manage and eradicate invasive species on the ground and in the water. Total program funding is set by the Legislature and the governor during the annual budget cycle.

Researchers reaching into crayfish burrows along the bank of a lakeIn the last seven years, the program has awarded over $25 million to 173 projects, resulting in management of invasive species including hemlock woolly adelgid, phragmites and red swamp crayfish on more than 60,000 acres of land and water statewide.

Highlights of the 2020 invasive species program are available in the Michigan Invasive Species Program Annual Report, which includes program-funded projects.

Regional Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas operate in all of Michigan’s 83 counties, assisting the public in identifying and managing invasive species. Contact information for individual CISMAs can be found at Michigan.gov/Invasives in the Take Action section.

Important program dates and information

Local, state, federal and tribal units of government, nonprofit organizations and universities may apply for funding to support invasive species projects in Michigan. Full project proposals are due Nov.1. Award announcement is anticipated in March 2022.

Grant requests for general projects can range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $400,000. CISMAs can request up to $60,000 for annual implementation of prevention, detection and control activities and up to $40,000 for specific survey and treatment projects. Applicants must commit to providing a minimum of 10 percent (in the form of a local match) of the total project cost.

Competitive applications will outline clear objectives, propose significant ecological benefits, demonstrate diverse collaboration and show strong community support.

New this year, all applications must be submitted through the MiGrants online system. Applicants can access the system at MiGrants.Intelligrants.com or follow the link at Michigan.gov/MISGP.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions and photo credit information follow:

Tree injection: A certified pesticide applicator prepares a pesticide injection for a hemlock tree infested with hemlock woolly adelgid.

Crayfish: A team from DNR, EGLE and Michigan State University looks for red swamp crayfish in burrows./
Dept of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy logoDNR Logo 24 bit PNGMDARD Logo
DNR Get Involved – September 2021

DNR Get Involved – September 2021

by | Aug 30, 2021 | Recreation

Opportunities to get involved with the Michigan DNR for September 2021

 
Centennial banner

DNR Get Involved – September 2021

Aerial view of Walled Lake in Pigeon River Country State Forest
Here are a few ways to get involved in taking care of Michigan’s natural resources in September. For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.

Help remove invasive species, restore natural areas at state parks

Group of volunteers remove invasive plants in fieldSeveral state parks in southern Michigan have volunteer stewardship workdays coming up in September. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks.

Please note that registration is required for all volunteer workdays.

Workdays will take place:

  • 8:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County).
  • 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 11, at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County).
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County).
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Algonac State Park (St. Clair County)
  • 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County).
  • 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 18, at Belle Isle Park (Wayne County).
  • 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 18, at Warren Woods State Park (Berrien County).
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County).
  • 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County).
  • 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 25, at Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County).
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County).
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County).
  • Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at Ludington State Park (Mason County).

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

Give input on state forest management plans

close-up of jack pine seedling being plantedThe DNR responsibly manages 3.9 million acres of state forest land using techniques such as timber harvests, planting and prescribed burns to keep forests thriving and healthy.

To make the work more efficient and easier to oversee, the DNR divides those millions of acres into 15 forest management units, which are further divided into compartments. Management activity in each forest management unit is finalized two years in advance. This summer and fall, recommendations for 2023 are being presented.

Open houses for 2021 are virtual, and you can give input by email, phone or mail during the designated time frame. This is a great opportunity to offer input to foresters, wildlife biologists and other DNR professionals regarding forest plans.

After the end of each comment period, a public compartment review meeting will take place, where foresters present the DNR’s final decisions on management activities. The DNR reviews 10% of the state forest annually. That equates to about 400,000 acres or roughly 220 compartments.

For more information, including a link to the interactive forest map showing details of all forest management activities, visit Michigan.gov/ForestInput.

Below are the comment periods taking place in September and the related compartment reviews. Contact the area unit manager to make arrangements to view the compartment review meeting online or listen over the phone.

  • Crystal Falls: Comments through Sept. 16; compartment review is Oct. 28. Contact Dan McNamee, 906-875-6622.
  • Grayling: Comments Sept. 7-Oct. 7; compartment review is Oct. 21. Contact Thomas Barnes, 989-348-6371, ext. 7440.
  • Gwinn: Comments through Sept. 21; compartment review is Oct. 12. Contact Kristen Matson, 906-346-9201.
  • Newberry: Comments Sept. 14-Oct. 14; compartment review is Oct. 26. Contact Keith Magnusson, 906-291-0120.
  • Sault Ste. Marie: Comments through Sept. 15; compartment review is Oct. 5. Contact Karen Rodock, 906-875-1039.
  • Shingleton: Comments Aug. 31-Sept. 30; compartment review is Oct. 14. Contact Bob Burnham, 906-420-1645.

See a full comment period schedule.

Help MUCC On the Ground with prairie restoration or tree planting

Man and woman put up fence around newly planted treeOn the Ground – Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ volunteer wildlife habitat improvement program in partnership with the DNR – is looking for volunteers for the following projects in September.

Prairie Restoration at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings (Barry County)
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11

Help remove woody vegetation to begin restoring a prairie located on publicly accessible Pierce Cedar Creek Institute land. To prepare the field for a prescribed burn and other ecological restoration efforts, a hedgerow and other woody shrubs need to be removed from a 5-acre field. This project will benefit a variety of native wildlife and pollinator species. All necessary equipment, including personal protective equipment, will be provided, although volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves. All registered volunteers will receive a free lunch and volunteer appreciation gift.

Register for prairie restoration event.

Tree Planting in the Escanaba River State Forest (Menominee County)
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18

Help plant and fence more than 100 native trees and shrubs to improve wildlife habitat throughout openings within the Escanaba River State Forest near Daggett Township. These native, mast-producing trees will benefit a variety of wildlife including ring-necked pheasant, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, golden-winged warbler and American woodcock. Shovels and all necessary equipment will be provided, although volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves if possible. All registered volunteers will receive a free lunch and volunteer appreciation gift.

Register for tree-planting event.

Share thoughts on new Pigeon River Country State Forest locations

The beloved Pigeon River Country State Forest in the northern Lower Peninsula recently added two new properties, and we need your input on how outdoor enthusiasts will access this land to hike, fish, hunt, view elk and more. Share your thoughts via two short surveys, available now through Sept. 17, and help us shape the type of recreation opportunities and access, including motorized access, offered in each area.

Join webinars to learn about managing invasive species

Check out new NotMISpecies webinar series sessions for an abundance of information, resources and field experiences to help identify and manage invasive species in Michigan. Sept. 15, it’s “Fowl play,” exploring the work of protecting  managed waterfowl hunt areas from the threat of invasives. Oct. 21, learn about how volunteering for a state park stewardship workday can help manage invasive species with “Just Do it!”
DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
DNR, DTE Energy agreement on nation’s carbon-credits project

DNR, DTE Energy agreement on nation’s carbon-credits project

by | Aug 25, 2021 | Environmental, Recreation
The deal will help DTE Energy reduce its carbon footprint and add an estimated $10 million in revenue to natural resource management.

 
Centennial banner

– DNR News –
Green, gold and orange ground cover in the foreground, tall trees in the background, stretching to the skyAug. 25, 2021
Contact: Scott Whitcomb (DNR), 231-373-3007 or Anne Santori (DTE Energy),
313-235-5555

DNR, DTE Energy finalize agreement on nation’s first carbon-credits project on state forest land

Michigan’s 3.9 million acres of state forest land provide space for outdoor recreation, cleaner water, habitat for wildlife and many other benefits. Thanks to a recent agreement between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and DTE Energy, Michigan’s largest energy company, part of that forest land now will yield carbon credits that will help DTE reduce its carbon footprint and add an estimated $10 million in revenue to natural resource management.

The Bluesource/Michigan DNR Big Wild Forest Carbon Project is the first of its kind in the nation to leverage the carbon storage capacity of trees in state forests. The pilot project offers a portfolio of carbon offset credits generated from sustainable forest management activities on more than 100,000 acres of the celebrated Pigeon River Country State Forest – known as “The Big Wild” – in the northern Lower Peninsula.

“Our natural resources are a core aspect of our identity as Michiganders,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “To meet our long-term commitment to decarbonization we need to utilize innovative partnerships to increase revenues for land and climate programs. Under today’s program, we are pursuing a climate-smart forestry strategy and effectively utilizing our natural and working lands to decrease pollution and protect public lands.”

The pilot project

Stacked logs from an aspen harvest on Michigan state forest landA single tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year. By the time a tree is 40 years old, it can store 1 ton of carbon. If these trees are then used to make long-lasting wood products, the carbon they absorbed from the atmosphere is captured or “stored” within the manufactured furniture, houses or countless other items.

One carbon credit equals 1 ton of carbon dioxide emission. Studies show carbon capture (sequestration) could contribute up to 30% of the global effort to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. DTE Energy will offer these offsets to their larger industrial natural gas clients seeking to reduce the impact of carbon emissions, much as they do for their residential and small business customers through DTE’s voluntary Natural Gas Balance program.

DTE Energy has agreed to buy all of the carbon credits generated off the Pigeon River Country State Forest during the first 10 years of the program, at an estimated cost of more than $10 million. Payments (to the state) will start with the first delivery of carbon credits to DTE in 2022. Bluesource, the company managing the DNR’s pilot carbon credit marketing project, will provide updates on the revenue stream’s timeline and size.

The purchase of carbon credits allows DTE to offer carbon offsets to customers with significantly higher energy usage, a move that also aligns with DTE’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“We’re proud to partner with the DNR on this innovative way to help Michigan get cleaner, faster,” said Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer at DTE Gas. “These offsets will be made available to our customers that are seeking impactful ways to reduce their carbon footprint and join DTE on its journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Pigeon River Country State Forest project is an excellent complement to the 24,000 acres of Michigan forest we are already protecting through Natural Gas Balance, our voluntary program that helps residential and small business gas customers reduce their carbon footprint.”

Support for forests, wildlife

face front view of mature bull elk, head and shoulders, in the forest, sunlight and shadows across his faceBeyond the air-quality benefits – Michigan’s forests can substantially reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that has been released to the environment, which cuts air pollution and helps mitigate the effects of climate change – the carbon-credits project will allow the DNR to credit crucial dollars to funding sources that support the Pigeon River Country State Forest.

Revenue generated from these carbon credit purchases will be directed to the state’s Forest Development Fund and the Fish and Game Fund for efforts that could include tree planting, forest infrastructure (such as roads, bridges and culverts), wildlife habitat improvements, recreation projects and more.

The environmental benefit of the project stems from the state’s ongoing commitment to sustainable forest management, while ensuring more trees will stay in place long term to enhance the carbon sequestration of the Pigeon River forest.

“We manage Michigan’s state forests with a firm commitment to the health and sustainability of this incredible resource, as well as to the people who enjoy the forests and the fish and wildlife that rely on them,” said Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger. “We’re excited to see this thoughtfully leveraged use of our state’s diverse forest land result in a program that works on so many levels.”

Getting started

shoreline view from Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground, reflecting the surrounding trees and skyBluesource, the company selected last fall to manage the DNR’s carbon credits development and marketing program, is a Salt Lake City firm that has pioneered creative solutions to climate risk since 2001.

“Bluesource projects have reduced hundreds of millions of tons of greenhouse gases over our 20-year history, and we can’t scale without the climate finance provided by progressive companies like DTE,” said Bluesource Vice President of Environmental Markets Ben Massie. “Their long-term investment in credits from Michigan DNR’s Big Wild Forest Carbon Project gives DTE customers an impactful way to reduce their carbon footprint, while at the same time driving sustainable forest management and value within the state.

“I hope other states and public lands follow the DNR’s lead and recognize that a change to progressive forest management, with an eye to promoting carbon stocking, not only nets revenue but allows for continued recreation, boosts the local economy, conserves water resources, and provides continuing educational opportunities,” added Massie.

Learn more about how and why the DNR takes care of state forests at Michigan.gov/Forestry.

Organizational links:

  • The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. Online at Michigan.gov/DNR.
  • DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Online at DTEEnergy.com.
  • Bluesource is the most experienced and most diversified corporate climate and energy advisor providing innovative, trusted environmental services and products in North America. Online at Bluesource.com.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows. Credit all photos to Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

  • Elk: Michigan’s core elk range is an integral part of the Pigeon River Country State Forest.
  • Fall in the Pigeon River: Scenic views like this are available throughout the more than 100,000 acres of the Pigeon River Country State Forest.
  • Stacked aspen: Stacked logs from an aspen timber harvest on Michigan state forest land.
  • Timber sale: A Michigan DNR forester inspects the harvest of a timber sale, this one in the Upper Peninsula’s Delta County.
  • Rainbow: A beautiful sight in the sky over the Pigeon River Country State Forest.
  • Campground view: Lakeshore view from the Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground, one of the many camping opportunities in and around the Pigeon River.