Plenty of classes, outdoor recreation opportunities on tap this month and next!



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"News Digest - Week of Feb. 17, 2025"

Two men in winter jackets, hats and gloves ride fat-tired bikes down a plowed, snowy road. One man has two huskies leashed to his bike [ [link removed] ]

"Winter fun [ [link removed] ] is waiting: Find your next outdoor adventure!"



Here are a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: 


* Meet some of Michigan's mighty winter birds [ #link_16 ]
* Happy Little (Virtual) 5K: Get outdoors, support trees [ #link_17 ]
* Sign up for weekly Pure Michigan Snow Report [ #link_2 ]
* Love trails? Apply for open advisory workgroup spots [ #link_3 ]
* Photo ambassador snapshot: Lake Michigan majesty [ #link_1 ]

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom [ [link removed] ].

*PHOTOS:* Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email (fat-tire biking [ [link removed] ], black-capped chickadee [ [link removed] ], cardinal [ [link removed] ], snowshoeing [ [link removed] ], ORV [ [link removed] ] and kayaker [ [link removed] ]) are available in the DNR's public image gallery [ [link removed] ].

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Meet some of Michigan's mighty winter birds

a black-capped chickadee, with black head, buff-colored body and black and silver wings, perches on an ice-covered branch on a gray day

Brrr … it’s cold outside! But for many of our feathered friends, winter in Michigan is just another season. Get to know a few of our small and resourceful winter birds and the clever survival tactics [ [link removed] ] they use to stay warm and find food throughout the winter.

The black-capped chickadee [ [link removed] ] is an expert at staying cozy in cold temperatures – shivering and contracting opposite muscle groups to stay warm, and even lowering its body temperature at night and entering regulated hypothermia to conserve energy. These birds are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders, carrying sunflower seeds to store in tree bark for later, when food is scarce.

*How to ID:* This small and lively bird has a black cap and bib, gray back and buff (yellowish-brown) wash on its sides.

The downy woodpecker [ [link removed] ] uses its small size to its advantage, feeding on weed stalks and drilling into trees to create roosts to keep warm during cold winter nights.

*How to ID:* This is the smallest woodpecker in North America, between the size of a robin and sparrow. It has a white back, a black-and-white striped face, and a very short, stubby bill. Male “downys” also have a red spot on the nape (back of the neck).



a male cardinal, with bright red body, black face and short orange beak, stands on snowy ground amid dry, pale grasses

Another familiar sight is the northern cardinal [ [link removed] ]. These brilliant red birds puff out their feathers into a round shape to trap heat, making them look even more striking against a snowy backdrop. Their diet is highly variable, which gives them a greater chance of finding food in the winter. Cardinals begin their courtship this season – look for pairs sweetly feeding seeds and berries to one another.

*How to ID:* The male cardinal is unmistakable and is our only red bird with a crest. The female isn’t as bright in color, but shares the crest, massive pink-orange bill and long tail of the male.

Want to learn more about these and other winter birds and where to find them? Read the full story [ [link removed] ] brought to you by MI Birds [ [link removed] ], an outreach and education program presented by the DNR and Audubon Great Lakes. Happy winter birding!

Questions? Contact Nicole Minadeo <[email protected]> at 419-308-4846.

"*A note about bird health:* While the birds mentioned above are not as susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza as scavenging wild birds (e.g., eagles, hawks and owls), do keep an eye out for any dead birds and report die-offs of six or more birds through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app [ [link removed] ]. HPAI is a highly contagious respiratory virus suspected in recent waterfowl die-offs [ [link removed] ] in Lower Michigan. Learn more at the DNR’s HPAI webpage [ [link removed] ]."



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Happy Little (Virtual) 5K: Get outdoors, support trees
a green and white web graphic with a Bob Ross image and reading Run for the Trees, Happy Little 5K and listing 13 participating states

Run, walk or roll to support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks. Registration is open for this spring’s Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5k – the popular event that has expanded to 13 states, thanks to Maryland, Tennesssee and Virginia joining the effort.

“What started six years ago in Michigan as a small but meaningful way to bring people together through running and art has now grown into something truly special,” said Michelle O’Kelly, fund developer for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.

“Expanding the Happy Little Trees 5K to 13 states is a testament to the power of community, nature and the lasting inspiration of beloved artist and TV host Bob Ross,” O’Kelly said. “Seeing this program flourish fills me with pride, and I can’t wait for even more people to experience the joy it brings. Join us in celebrating this milestone; lace up, hit the trails and be part of something bigger.”

When registering (recommended by April 1), you can pick your state to represent, creating a sense of pride and friendly competition as states rally together for the cause. Selecting your state is easy; just choose it from the dropdown menu. (Be sure to mention this to your out-of-state family and friends so they can sign up, too!)

Register today and get ready to create happy little moments on the trail or road. As a participant in this virtual event, you pick the pace and place. Do your 5K anytime April 19-27 (the week of Earth Day and Arbor Day).

Don't wait to sign up — race packets start shipping March 1. Registration is $36 and includes your keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, finisher’s medal, commemorative bib number and shipping. Get more race information and register today [ [link removed] ].

Questions? Contact Michelle O’Kelly <[email protected]> at 517-899-5211.

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Sign up for weekly Pure Michigan Snow Report

A small group of men and women snowshoe single-file up a snowy path through the forest, with bright sunlight filtering through trees

If you're a fan of the Pure Michigan Fall Color Update, you know the value of having up-to-date information about when and where those red, orange and yellow hues are set to peak around the state. For snow-goers, too, Pure Michigan has you covered! 

Whether you’re planning to hit the slopes, tackle the trails or simply soak up some snow time in the great outdoors, sign up now for the Pure Michigan Snow Report [ [link removed] ] to receive weekly updates that will include snowfall predictions, recreation opportunities, seasonal events and weatherproof fun throughout both peninsulas. 



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Love trails? Apply for open advisory workgroup spots

three black off-road vehicles ride single-file down a tree-lined, dirt trail in the Manistee National Forest

If you’re as passionate about trails as we are, and you’d like to help shape state-designated routes and pathways throughout Michigan, apply for one of several volunteer positions now open for two of the DNR's advisory workgroups.

“The DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, which oversees our statewide trails system, relies on input and guidance from residents to help us maintain, improve and grow the thousands of miles of motorized and nonmotorized trails in communities around the state,” said Tim Novak, state trails coordinator. “We're excited to share these workgroup openings and continue the work of providing outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy and explore, efforts that help elevate Michigan's reputation as the Trails State.”

Positions are available on both the Nonmotorized Advisory Workgroup [ [link removed] ], or NAW, and the Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Workgroup [ [link removed] ], also known as ORVAW. Both groups are subcommittees of the Michigan Trails Advisory Council, assisting with the council’s duties and responsibilities and providing the DNR advice related to the creation, development, operation and maintenance of the state’s designated trails system.



Details on vacancies

a young man in sunglasses and yellow life jacket paddles an orange kayak at Lime Island Recreation Area in Chippewa County

*NAW:* This workgroup, which meets quarterly, is seeking to fill two positions with a focus on water trails. Successful candidates should have an interest in paddling sports, the Great Lakes and our inland lakes and rivers. These positions are two-year terms. Fill out this application to apply for NAW positions [ [link removed] ]. 

*ORVAW:* Four new positions are available for this workgroup following passage of new bylaws that expanded the committee from seven to 11 members. These four-year-term positions include one ORV safety instructor representative, one full-size vehicle user representative and two at-large representatives. ORVAW also meets on a quarterly basis. Fill out this application to apply for ORVAW positions [ [link removed] ].

Applications will be accepted through March 15.

Questions? Contact Tim Novak <[email protected]> at 517-388-8347.



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Photo ambassador snapshot: Lake Michigan majesty
view from Hog Island Point State Forest Campground of snow-covered rocks, icy Lake Michigan shoreline and brilliant blue winter sky

See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors [ [link removed] ] at Instagram.com/MiStateParks [ [link removed] ]. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer <[email protected]> at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Brandon Johnson [ [link removed] ], for the Michigan DNR, at Hog Island Point State Forest Campground in Mackinac County.)

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THINGS TO DO [ [link removed] ]

Up for some cold play? Check out our winter fun webpage [ [link removed] ] for info and resources on ice fishing, stargazing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking and other ways to embrace the outdoors and turn "Brrr!" moments into breathtaking ones!




BUY & APPLY [ [link removed] ]

Turkey hunting, walleye and steelhead fishing, equestrian trails and camping – these immersive, expert-led, hands-on learning opportunities from the DNR's Outdoor Skills Academy [ [link removed] ] are coming up in March and April. Book your spot now.




GET INVOLVED [ [link removed] ]

Follow the journey of recruits in Conservation Officer Training Academy No. 13, underway in Lansing. Hear weekly from the recruits who write blog entries [ [link removed] ] describing what happens in the classroom, in the tank and in the field.

 




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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Constitution Hall, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 · 1-800-439-1420