This year, 13 of Michigan’s 103 state parks are celebrating turning 100 years old.
With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and thousands of miles of rivers and streams, Michigan offers ample opportunity to traverse the state over the water – no matter the size or speed of your vessel.
The North Country National Scenic Trail, or North Country Trail for short, is the longest trail in the National Trail System, stretching more than 4,600 miles between North Dakota and New York. With 1,150 miles, Michigan hosts more miles of the North Country Trail than any of the other seven states the trail traverses and connects some of our most scenic and beloved destinations.
The DNR Forest Resources Division's drone program has been expanding since it started with just three vehicles in 2016. The DNR crew now includes seven licensed pilots and 10 drones of different sizes and capabilities. The team has explored using drones to assess forest health, look for various types of wildlife and get photos and video that show off Michigan’s glorious landscapes
In the early 1940s, an intact hemlock-hardwood stands in the western Upper Peninsula was in trouble of being cut down; but thanks to the conservation-minded individuals with a plan, it would late become Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan's largest state park.
There was once a time when pest-control practices caused fireflies to disappear in parts of Michigan. While those practices have been discontinued, if we're not mindful of our role within our natural systems, we may not notice when the smaller things go missing.
The Copper Harbor Lighthouse has been a silent sentinel since 1848. But the Keweenaw Peninsula’s harsh winters and Lake Superior’s severe weather had taken their toll on the original buildings. Despite several improvements since its founding, the lighthouse is in need of restoration.
Wildlife is all around us--including in some places you wouldn't expect. We all share the same habitat and are connected as different parts of the same ecosystem, so it's important to be live in harmony with our wild neighbors.
Fly tying in Michigan is a foundation of our state's fishing tradition, and we owe it to a Michigan game warden.
With Michigan schools closed for the remainder of this school year, and educational recreation venues shut down to help slow the spread of coronavirus, many parents and caregivers are looking for more at-home learning resources. Seeking to fill this gap for educational materials, Michigan Department of Natural Resources educators set out to provide such resources.
The COVID-19 crisis is an extraordinary, unprecedented time in our state’s history, but not the first time Michigan has faced a major pandemic. To understand how to handle today's public health emergency, we must look to the past.
Bagging the hunting limit before sunrise is a rare accomplishment--followed by an even rarer treat.
When it comes to fighting wildland fires, members of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ incident management teams are accomplished pros. Now they're in uncharted territory, recruited to help manage operations at the TCF Regional Care Center.
Homes use 22% of the energy consumed in the United States, and about half of that energy goes to heating and cooling. By planting a tree in the right place, homeowners can save a substantial amount of energy and money while making positive environmental impacts, too.
Becoming an Outdoors Woman is a 3-day workshop meant to teach adult women new skills in the outdoors--but it's much more than that. It's a transformative experience, a supportive place for women to step outside their comfort zones and into the natural beauty of the outdoors.
Michigan’s first rail trail is 50 years old. Now, it's getting the recognition many think it deserves with a year-long celebration of its rich history.
Ice fishing is a great opportunity to bond, but it's also an amazing way to connect to nature. The quiet stillness and the raw nature lets you go at a slower pace, letting your mind calm as you spend time with loved ones.
The need for a force regulating our natural resources became apparent at a time when most people thought those resources were in infinite supply. Today, the mission of the DNR's conservation officers has evolved to meet contemporary challenges.
“If you can walk, you can snowshoe.” Snowshoeing is an awesome, low-impact activity and a great way to get some fresh air and natural light during the winter months.
Michigan is home to diverse landscapes and ecosystems, which means that challenges to those vital natural resources varies widely. When it comes to invasive species, tailoring our management plans to the specific natural features is critical.
With a legacy that goes back more than 40 years, Michigan Ski for Light's annual ski weekend is a large gathering whose success comes from the connections and efforts of families, friends, community organizations and the DNR for weekend of cross-country skiing for people with vision or mobility disabilities.
While birds are typically thought of as a sign of spring, many species can be observed throughout the winter months. Thanks to a new bird-focused outreach and engagement program called MI Birds, Michiganders can become citizen scientists and help conserve these important species.
People who enjoy the outdoors know that being out in green spaces can be beneficial in a plethora of ways. A growing body of research on human health and happiness is confirming how good it is for us to connect with nature. Luckily, there are plently of places in Michigan where people can get into green spaces.
Stories are an inseparable part of the Michigan experience. Whether told around the campfire or in a family kitchen, these stories are valuable cultural assets. Taken together, they provide a fuller picture of the rich and diverse lives – then and now – of our state’s greatest resources: its people.
The Wildtalk Podcast is a unique project within the DNR's Wildlife Division--it covers the division's current work and gives listeners a snapshot of wildlife conservation efforts happening throughout the state. New “Wildtalk” episodes are released the first day of each month and cover an array of wildlife- and habitat-related topics.
Squirrel hunting may not seem like a challenge (after all, squirrels are everywhere in Michigan), but they can provide an opportunity to hone your marksmanship, get outdoors, and provide some tasty food for your table.
Michigan is home to over 170 million native hemlocks. These trees, not to be confused with the poisonous plant bearing the same name, are an important facet of Michigan's jeweled wilderness.
Michigan state parks, forests, trails and waterways are at the core of the spirit of this Great Lakes state, and we are working hard to ensure that they endure for another century. Read this letter from Parks and Recreation Division Chief Ron Olson for a look to the past to inform our future.
