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Here are a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.
PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used below, and others, are available in this folder.
Spark new ideas and learn the latest in lake stewardship at the Michigan Inland Lakes Convention, Oct. 2-4 in Grand Rapids.
Lakefront property owners, lake scientists, industry professionals, policy makers, conservationists and anyone with a passion for Michigan's inland lakes is encouraged to attend.
The theme of the 2024 convention is “Working Together for Healthy Lakes,” and it will include presentations and workshops dedicated to engaging, educating and empowering those who live and work on inland lakes. Join sessions on community stewardship, wake boating, riparian laws, watershed conservation, fisheries and more. Some of this year’s workshop topics include:
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Ecology and ID of freshwater algae in Michigan.
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Hands-on aquatic invasive plant training.
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Amphibians and reptiles in inland lakes.
Registration for the convention is $250. Visit the convention website to view the complete agenda, register to attend and reserve a hotel room. The deadline to register is Sept. 24, so sign up today to save your spot!
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This past spring, thousands of fourth grade students explored Michigan’s state parks on a free field trip thanks to the DNR’s Nature Awaits program.
With 30 locations throughout the state, Nature Awaits provided students with 90 minutes of interactive learning and a complimentary one-day Recreation Passport voucher to visit a state park with their family.
This fall, three new locations will host the program. Students can explore the new state park in Flint, located along a 3-mile stretch of the Flint River and a section of Swartz Creek. Fort Custer Recreation Area, located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, offers three lakes and over 40 miles of trails. Oden State Fish Hatchery, near Petoskey, features an underwater viewing chamber.
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Fall is in the air, and there are a variety of ways to get out and enjoy it this month. Here are a few examples – see a full list at Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar.
Wild mushroom finding, identifying
Space is still available in two of the DNR Outdoor Skills Academy’s upcoming wild mushroom clinics: Bay City Sept. 15 and Ontonagon Sept. 21. Learn how to identify – and find – a variety of Michigan's edible wild mushrooms and how to properly handle them for transport, cleaning, consumption and home preservation.
Birding, family camping
While the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is closed in September for annual deep cleaning, maintenance and exhibit enhancements, the OAC still will offer some outdoor and off-site programs this month. Learn how to pitch a tent and roast marshmallows during the Harvest Family Campout, Sept. 13-14. Check out Birding Belle Isle, a guided birding experience where participants will identify several species and discuss what makes them unique, Sept. 14.
Exploring Michigan history
The Michigan History Center’s Mann House museum in Concord will host the fifth annual Women’s History Conference – including presentations, entertainment, lunch and tours of local historic sites – Sept. 19.
Investigating the paranormal
Ever wonder what a paranormal investigator does? Learn how to become a member of a paranormal team that looks into apparitions, hauntings and other otherworldly things, and participate in a real investigation during A Paranormal Event at Fayette State Park in Garden Sept. 20-21. Investigations will occur at various times each night, and online preregistration is required.
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There are many ways you can help the DNR take care of Michigan’s natural and cultural resources. Here are a few opportunities to get involved this month.
Keep state parks healthy
Several state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays, where volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems or to collect native wildflower seeds for replanting. Workdays will take place at:
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Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 29.
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Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7.
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Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday Sept. 8; Saturday, Sept. 14; and Sunday. Sept. 22.
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Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.
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Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 28.
Improve wildlife habitat
On the Ground, Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ volunteer wildlife habitat improvement program in partnership with the DNR, offers several upcoming opportunities:
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Fall Rendezvous in the Pigeon River Country State Forest (Otsego County), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. Volunteers will help plant oak trees, remove old fencing and more to improve habitat for elk and other wildlife.
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Sharp-tailed grouse habitat enhancement in the Hiawatha National Forest (Chippewa County), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13.
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Dam improvement project at the Blind Sucker Wildlife Flooding (Luce County), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14.
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Tree planting at Maple River State Game Area (Gratiot County), 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20.
Give input on your state forests
Prescribed burns, timber harvests and other activities are carefully executed to keep Michigan’s nearly 4 million acres of state forest thriving. Plans for these activities are currently being made for 2026, but public input is welcome now. Find out what activities are planned and how to offer your input at Michigan.gov/ForestInput.
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 See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Emily Simon, for the Michigan DNR, at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon County.)
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