October means leaf-peeping, hunting and plenty of other fall fun, but did you know that October is Firewood Month? Michigan’s Invasive Species Program joins The Nature Conservancy to remind Michiganders to enjoy fall adventures but always leave firewood at home.

Untreated firewood is a known carrier of invasive tree pests and diseases. That harmless-looking stack of logs in the backyard may be harboring spongy moth or spotted lanternfly egg masses, oak wilt fungus or beech bark disease. These and other tree-killing invaders don’t move far on their own, but they can travel hundreds of miles on infested firewood that is transported from place to place.

There are many ways you can help the DNR take care of Michigan’s natural and cultural resources; sometimes you just need to know where to start! Following are a few options to get involved this month; for more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and add your voice to the conversation, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.

Keep state parks healthy

Volunteer stewardship workdays are an excellent way to make a real difference at some of your favorite state parks in southern Michigan! You can help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems or collect native wildflower seeds for replanting. Opportunities this month include Oct. 12 and Oct. 20 at Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County) and Oct. 26 at Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County).

Get more workday info and registration details on the DNR volunteer events calendar.

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 share your feedback at Michigan.gov/ForestInput.

Submit online comments during designated 30-day periods or attend an open house or compartment review meeting, where plans are finalized. See all scheduled comment periods, open houses and compartment review meetings for the 2024 season.

The next meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission – Thursday, Oct. 10, in Marquette – leads off with updates on the new state forest management plan; deer habitat, nutrition and northern hardwoods; white-tailed deer predation in the Upper Peninsula; and the wolf abundance project. Later, there will be presentations on Bays de Noc walleye research and management and white-nose syndrome in bats.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of Northern Michigan University’s Northern Center, 1401 Presque Isle Ave. Before the meeting, at 8 a.m., the public is invited to enjoy Coffee with the Commissioners, an opportunity to speak with commission members in a less formal setting.

See the draft meeting agenda at Michigan.gov/NRC. For more information about the meeting, email [email protected].

Michigan communities, utilities, and college, K-12 and healthcare campuses interested in earning a Tree City, Tree Line or Tree Campus USA designation are encouraged to apply or contact the DNR by the end of the year.

These annual recognition programs are sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and administered by forestry agencies in each state. Applicants must meet criteria established by the foundation; this short quiz can help determine eligibility and readiness.

The Tree City USA program began in 1976 as a United States bicentennial project to promote tree planting in urban areas and call attention to the economic, health and aesthetic benefits trees provide.

Last year, 120 communities and 16 campuses in Michigan achieved their respective designations, and 11 communities earned Growth Awards for going above and beyond. Michigan ranks ninth among all states in total number of communities certified. They range in size from the village of Michiana (population 200) to the city of Detroit (population 620,376).