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Top News

Duck Lake Fire, Luce County, May 25, 2012

DNR Urges Caution as Wildfire Season Returns to Michigan One out of three wildfires in Michigan is caused by someone burning debris who didn't take the proper precautions or get a burn permit. Fire safety is everyone's responsibility, so please be safe and smart when it comes to fires. Get fire-prevention tips and guidelines, obtain a burn permit and more at www.michigan.gov/preventwildfires.

The Proud Robin declaring "It's Great to Live in Michigan" is perched atop the Mackinac Straits Bridge.

Michiganology Store Looking for unique one-of-a-kind Michigan documents, photographs and maps? If so you've found the right place Browse our collection and bring home your own piece of Michigan's history.

Young girl holding her fish at the end of her fishing line

2013 Summer Free Fishing Weekend set for June 8 & 9 Get outside and go fishing as part of the annual Summer Free Fishing Weekend! For two days all fishing license fees will be waived so residents and out-of-state visitors can enjoy fishing for all species of fish during their respective open seasons. Please note all regulations still apply during that time. The DNR welcomes you to become a part of the tradition, so get outside and have some fishing fun!

2013 Emergency Dredging Community Toolkit The State of Michigan strategic Emergency Dredging Plan for the 2013 boating season.

Public meetings to discuss Forest Management Plans The Department of Natural Resources will host public stakeholder meetings to discuss and get important feedback on several aspects of the DNR's draft Regional State Forest Management Plans. To find a meeting near you, or more information about the draft plans, visit www.michigan.gov/regionalforestplans.

Balls of brightly colored yarn with crochet hooks crisscrossed through them.

Knitters Needed! Participate in the "yarn bombing" of the Michigan Historical Center and Museum Come to a Stitch Lab or find out more at www.michigan.gov/museum.

DNR helps you find places to fish with Family Friendly Fishing Waters Are you looking for a great place to go fishing that is easy to access, has a high likelihood of catching fish, has various amenities, and is all around family-friendly? Then the Family Friendly Fishing Waters project can help! Just click through to find a map that highlights family-friendly fishing locations throughout the state of Michigan.

Department of Natural Resources staff had to race to put up timber sales to salvage resources during the May 2012 Duck Lake Fire in Newberry. Many trees, like the one shown here, were impacted by insects that moved into the area after the fire.

Duck Lake Fire: A year later A year later, the forest is naturally recovering. Bracken fern, blueberry bushes, mushrooms and grasses have started to regrow. Pine seedlings are once again growing in the areas that were previously forested. Thanks to Mother Nature, the green is returning. To give her a hand in the process, Bill O'Neill said the DNR has evaluated and prioritized areas that needed planting efforts.

Learn about the restructuring of hunting/fishing licenses

The 2013-14 Executive Budget for the DNR includes a proposal to raise the cost of hunting and fishing license fees as part of a plan to improve the state's fish and game habitat and hire additional conservation officers. License fees have not increased since 1997. Learn how this additional investment will aid the DNR in delivering better outdoor recreation experiences to Michigan residents and visitors.

Press Releases

• Walker Tavern Farmers Market opens Memorial Day weekend The Walker Tavern Farmers Market opens at the historic site near Brooklyn on Sunday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• DNR improving waterfowl habitat at Crow Island State Game Area If you notice something different at Crow Island State Game Area in Saginaw County this spring, don't be alarmed. The Department of Natural Resources is making improvements to habitat for the area's wildlife.

• DNR to hold public meeting on Hoosier Valley informal shooting ranges Department of Natural Resources and local officials will be on hand Thursday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Blair Township Hall, located at 2121 County Road 633 in Grawn, to provide an update and take public comments on an area of state forest land commonly known as the Hoosier Valley Ranges.