Plus, educators interested in upping their outdoor know-how are invited to register for our Academy of Natural Resources!



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"News Digest - Week of May 12, 2025"

A still, low-lying pond reflects the thin, tall, lush green-leaved trees rising in the forest at Warren Woods State Park as sunlight spills through

"An ephemeral pond at Warren Woods State Park. Photo by Tyler Leipprandt for the DNR."



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


* Vernal pools: Wicked big puddles are a small wonder [ #link_16 ]
* Now open: fall registration for free fourth grade field trips to state parks [ #link_2 ]
* Happy Little (Virtual) 5K keeps growing, supports trees in 13 states [ #link_17 ]
* Educators, elevate your natural resources know-how this summer [ #link_3 ]
* Photo ambassador snapshot: Wise words at Tahquamenon [ #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 – spring peeper [ [link removed] ], vernal pool [ [link removed] ], students [ [link removed] ] and ANR [ [link removed] ] – are available in the DNR's public image gallery. Others (Nature Awaits) are available in this photo folder [ [link removed] ].

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Vernal pools: Wicked big puddles are a small wonder

"This year marks the golden anniversary of Michigan’s endangered species law [ [link removed] ], 50 years ""of protecting the state’s most vulnerable wildlife and rarest plants. Our collective conservation efforts travel the path from brink of extinction to hopeful recovery, working to shape a future where native species can thrive. Here is one of those stories. "

a small group of students in coats kneel down to use hand microscopes to explore a wet, grassy area at Maybury State Park

When walking around outdoors this spring – whether in the deep woods or in the wilds of your own backyard, schoolyard or local park – keep an eye out for wicked big puddles. If you see one, look closely and you’ll see that it is teeming with life! Look for the egg masses of frogs and salamanders, tadpoles swimming around, or salamander larvae hiding under leaves.

According to Amy Derosier, supervisor of the DNR Wildlife Division’s Planning and Adaptation Section, if you just bend down and look, you’ll be amazed at what you see.



Powerhouse puddles

“Vernal pools are small wetlands that often fill up from rain, snow melt or high groundwater in the spring or fall, and they typically dry up by late summer,” Derosier said. “It’s this seasonal flooding and drying cycle that makes vernal pools different from other wetlands and shapes what kinds of critters use them as habitat.”

Because vernal pools dry up, they don’t have fish, which are major predators on young frogs and salamanders. These pools provide a safe haven for a diversity of frogs and salamanders, allowing the young to have greater survival than in other habitats such as ponds. For some frogs and salamanders that return to breed in the very same pools from where they hatched, these individual vernal pools are irreplaceable.

Habitat health benchmarks

A spring peeper, a small, brown and tan frog, puffs out its vocal sac to produce its call. Here, it's resting amid old leaves in a puddled area.

In addition to the diversity of wildlife living under the water – including frogs (like the spring peeper shown here), salamanders, fairy shrimp, beetles and other bugs – vernal pools provide critical watering and feeding places for a plethora of wildlife, including bear, deer, raccoons, skunks, and many other mammals, birds and reptiles. “Sometimes,” Derosier said, “vernal pools are the only water source for miles.”

Rare plants and animals often are dependent on healthy, well-functioning nature to survive. Vernal pools, which help reduce flooding and improve water quality by filtering runoff, can be strong indicators that an area is healthy.

“When we have healthy habitats for rare and unique plants and animals, we have clean water, clean air and places for people to enjoy nature,” Derosier said. “Michigan’s endangered species law is in place to protect the rarest plants and animals. They are part of Michigan’s natural heritage, and they are a part of Michigan’s – and our collective – history, identity and future.”



How to help

Learn more about vernal pools at the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership website [ [link removed] ]. You’ll find tons of information about vernal pools and the cool critters that rely on them, as well as ways to get involved in their conservation. To discover more about amphibians and reptiles, check out the Michigan Herp Atlas [ [link removed] ].

Here are other ways to support conservation:


* Learn more about Michigan’s rare plants and animals, and check out Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan [ [link removed] ]. Share what you learn with others.
* Buy a wildlife habitat license plate [ [link removed] ] to show your support for Michigan’s wildlife.
* Get engaged with and support your local conservation organization, nature center or land conservancy. These groups often offer hands-on education and ways to take action – like pulling invasive plants.
* Donate to Michigan’s Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund [ [link removed] ].

Questions? Contact Rachel Lincoln <[email protected]>, DNR wildlife communications representative, at 517-243-5813.

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Now open: fall registration for free fourth grade field trips to state parks

a couple girls and boys in hats and jackets smile while looking at a salamander stretched out in an adult's hands

Our Nature Awaits program is returning this fall, and teachers can reserve their spots today! Almost a thousand fourth grade teachers from throughout Michigan registered for a free field trip during the 2024-2025 school year, with 100% of participating teachers reporting they would recommend the program to another teacher. 

With host locations at state parks including Belle Isle in Detroit, Hoffmaster in Muskegon and the newest state park in Flint, interested fourth grade teachers can find a location near their school. Transportation grants for up to $1,000 are available for public schools, and every participating student receives a free voucher to return with their family to a state park of their choice for more outdoor learning and fun. 

“We have worked hard to make all of our students feel safe, supported and psyched for their visits,” said Nature Awaits program coordinator Katie McGlashen. “Fourth graders are at the halfway point of becoming adults with responsibilities. We hope they visit Michigan state parks often throughout their lifetime in any way they choose, whether to fish, camp, bike, bird watch, snowmobile or simply soak up the sunshine.”

To learn more and reserve a field trip, visit Michigan.gov/NatureAwaits [ [link removed] ]. Questions? Email [email protected] <[email protected]>.  



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Happy Little (Virtual) 5K keeps growing, supports trees in 13 states

a small group of smiling women in Happy Little T-shirts, bike helmets and sunglasses take a break during the Happy Little 5K

On paved pathways and wooded trails, in pairs and in groups, they showed up to run, walk and roll. Some wore wigs or carried paintbrushes and easels, honoring iconic art instructor and television host Bob Ross while supporting tree-planting and forest-protection efforts.

More than 10,000 people, in Michigan and across a dozen other states, participated in this spring’s Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K [ [link removed] ]. Registrants picked their pace and place – anywhere outdoors – for this DNR virtual event that was held during the week of Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 25).

This year, three additional states – Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee – joined the program that began in Michigan in 2019 as a collaboration between the DNR and Bob Ross Inc. [ [link removed] ] Other participating states include Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin.

Participants, who each received a Happy Little T-shirt, sticker, commemorative bib and finisher’s medal, selected their preferred state to support with their registration.

The 2025 event brought in a total of more than $200,000 for tree-planting and forest-protection efforts, with each state receiving a portion based on their participant numbers. Event proceeds included nearly $40,000 in donations; when signing up, registrants could elect to donate beyond the price of their race entry, with these funds also going toward forest-health protection efforts.



the green, tan and gray 2025 Happy Little 5K, Run for the Trees T-shirt, finisher's medal and racing bib

“I’m incredibly proud of how the Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K has grown from its roots here in Michigan to now supporting forest health in 13 states across the country,” said Michelle O’Kelly, race director and fund and resource developer for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “What started as a creative way to connect people with nature has become a powerful force for conservation, and it’s inspiring to see so many stepping up – virtually and literally – for our forests.”

In Michigan, funds raised support the purchase of native trees and shrubs, seed collection and forest canopy protection within state parks. Visitors to state parks where trees have been planted will see bright green "Happy Little Trees Ahead" signs to note the program’s important contributions.

Happy Little 5K [ [link removed] ] is part of the DNR’s tree-planting program, which has produced more than 100,000 native plants, shrubs and trees since its start in 2004. With support from the Bob Ross partnership, more than 2,100 trees have been planted in 20 state parks across Michigan. (*Note:* The departmentwide impact, which includes growing and planting efforts across the DNR’s parks and recreation, forestry and wildlife divisions, is even bigger: In 2024 alone, the DNR planted more than 6 million trees!)

Registration for the 2026 Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K will open this fall. Watch the registration site [ [link removed] ] for more details.

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



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Educators, elevate your natural resources know-how this summer

a man in waders holds a small fish in his hands as two women and another man look on. They're along the Au Sable River.

Did you know that the DNR's Academy of Natural Resources gives educators from across the state the opportunity to learn about conservation trends from wildlife biologists, foresters, conservation officers and fisheries staff? It's true – and you can be a part of it all this summer!

Our sessions are designed to empower educators with practical knowledge on a range of vital topics, including effective strategies for incorporating outdoor education into the classroom and tackling subjects like climate change. This year also includes a special session just for prekindergarten through third grade teachers, who can become certified in the early elementary programs for the award-winning Project WILD, Project WET and Project Learning Tree curriculum.

If you are interested, join us July 13-18 for the Academy of Natural Resources Classic at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center [ [link removed] ], located near Roscommon, or Aug. 3-8 for ANR North in the Upper Peninsula. 

With a registration fee of $395 (which includes lodging, meals and course materials) and the opportunity to earn 30 state continuing education clock hours, or SCECH, credits, this is an investment in your professional development you won’t want to miss. See the descriptions for the classes and register today at Michigan.gov/ANR [ [link removed] ]. 

Questions? Contact Kevin Frailey <[email protected]>, DNR Education Services manager, at 517-231-9046.



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Photo ambassador snapshot: Wise words at Tahquamenon
A wooden plaque, titled Prayer of the Woods, with several verses carved in, staked in the forest at Tahquamenon Falls State Park

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 Karen Allmond [ [link removed] ], for the Michigan DNR, at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise, in the eastern Upper Peninsula.)

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THINGS TO DO [ [link removed] ]

As the Michigan History Center museums and historic sites [ [link removed] ] get ready to open, plan to explore lighthouses, petroglyphs, maritime and logging history, and so many stories!




BUY & APPLY [ [link removed] ]

No matter your adventure goals, take care of state park campground, lodging, and day-use, harbor and other reservation needs [ [link removed] ] today and look ahead to summer outdoor fun. 




GET INVOLVED [ [link removed] ]

Awareness is our best defense against the spread of invasive species. Help protect the places you love! Know what to look for and be ready to ID and report what you see [ [link removed] ].

 





"Following a severe ice storm in northern Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources is assessing damage and conducting cleanup at several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails. Find up-to-date information about closures, volunteer opportunities and more" "on the DNR storm recovery page [ [link removed] ]."


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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