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Showcasing the DNR

Showcasing the DNR

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Topics range from fishing and hunting to history and outdoor recreation. This is a weekly feature story sent on Thursday.

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Improving deer habitat across the Upper Peninsula

The DNR’s 2025 crop of Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative grants included 15 collaborative projects across the Upper Peninsula for a total of $148,300. The U.P. deer habitat grants are open to proposals on private acreage and public land not owned by the state of Michigan. The DNR manages millions of acres of state forests, but deer herds roam freely, of course, so it’s important to improve their habitat on a broader scale.
Improving deer habitat across the Upper Peninsula
Burt Township students help plant sapling to improve deer habitat

Concessionaires bring sweet treats, souvenirs and memorable moments to state parks

Dozens of business owners and state park friends’ groups partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to offer extra amenities at some 70 state parks and recreation areas across Michigan’s Lower and Upper peninsulas. From offering mobile food truck fare and rental of bike, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, power and pontoon boats to providing park souvenirs, dune rides, horseback riding stables, splash pad fun and whitewater rafting, these vendor partnerships are essential to creating memorable moments for state park goers.
Concessionaires bring sweet treats, souvenirs and memorable moments to state parks
The brick-and-mortar version of the Chicken Coupe at Belle Isle Park in Detroit.

Installing history: Setting up Fayette Historic Townsite

Of the Michigan History Center’s 12 historic sites and museums, seven of them, including Fayette Historic Townsite in Delta County, require a spring site installation, fondly referred to as “installs” by staff. Each install requires a team of three to six staff members to clean buildings, reset exhibits and artifacts, and put in new exhibits.
Installing history: Setting up Fayette Historic Townsite
Historian Troy Henderson cleans and replaces a Plexiglass window

Seeking spring outdoor adventures in the UP

With the right clothing and gear, along with an adventurous spirit, springtime outdoor exploring just might become a new favorite way to enjoy being outside and experiencing all that our beautiful state offers.
Seeking spring outdoor adventures in the UP
Wagner Falls in Alger County is shown from a downstream boardwalk viewing platform

Give them a brake – be on the lookout for migrating turtles on roads

Be on the lookout for turtles, which are on the move this time of year. Late spring and early summer are times when turtles are moving en masse across the landscape. This overland movement often involves crossing roads, which unfortunately results in noticeable levels of turtle mortality throughout the state. That roadkill can be high enough to affect local populations and likely is the largest direct loss of adult turtles by humans.
Give them a brake – be on the lookout for migrating turtles on roads
A close-up photo of an eastern box turtle

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