Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. Use the link above to visit the fishing home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:
Get all your hunting information here, including hunting season dates, rules and regulations, and much more. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below:
Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below:
Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below:
Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket.
Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more.
Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more.
Find a great trail experience near you - whether you want to hike, bike, snowmobile or ride an ORV. From long, paved linear trails to rugged forest terrain, Michigan offers trail opportunities for all abilities and interests.
Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below.
We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below:
Recreational Safety and Hunter Education
Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below.
DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.
DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below.
DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests.
All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups
Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR
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People around the world are familiar with the work and personality of Bob Ross, the American painter, art instructor and television host who in the ’80s and ’90s shared his love for painting and the environment with millions of viewers on the PBS show, “The Joy of Painting.” Ross was known for demonstrating seemingly simple brushstrokes that brought gorgeous landscapes – full of happy little trees – to life on the canvas.
Launched in 2004 as a partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections' Horticulture Education program, this tree planting initiative provided participants the training and job skills to grow seed from native trees found in Michigan state parks. Through funding provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the program aimed to mitigate the loss of ash trees due to the emerald ash borer and equip participants with job skills.
In 2019, the program expanded into "Happy Little Trees," a collaboration between the DNR and Bob Ross Inc. to raise awareness about tree planting and forest protection. Funds raised support the purchase of native trees and shrubs, seed collection, and forest canopy protection within Michigan state parks.
Visitors to state parks where trees have been planted will see bright green "Happy Little Trees Ahead" signs to note the program's important contributions.
The program has produced more than 100,000 native plants, shrubs and trees since its start in 2004. With support from the Bob Ross partnership, more than 2,100 trees have been planted in 20 state parks across Michigan.
For more details on Happy Little Tree plantings, general tree planting or forest health in state parks, contact Heidi Frei (DNR forest health specialist).
For more details on the Happy Little Trees partnership, the Happy Little 5K, and sponsorship opportunities, contact Michelle O'Kelly (DNR parks and recreation fund developer).
This virtual event, which takes place each April, honors iconic art instructor and television host Bob Ross while supporting tree-planting and forest-protection efforts. Registration for this event, which is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Bob Ross Inc. and 19 other states, supports tree-planting and forest health in state parks!
Participation grew again last year – more than 13,000 people, in Michigan and across 17 other states, participated in the 2026 event. Together, we have raised more than $200,000 for tree-planting and forest health, with each state receiving funds proportional to its participation.
Giving a 5K registration as a gift? Download your printable gift certificate.
Show your support for trees in state parks by donating to the tree planting and protection fund. This fund supports forest stewardship and protection in state parks, such as planting trees and fighting invasive species and diseases.
