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September events and volunteering
Tahquamenon Falls State Park's Upper Falls in Luce County, one of the waterfalls you can learn more about in the mobile-accessible Michigan Field Guides!
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The days are growing shorter, but the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is long on inspiration for fall fun and good works in your favorite outdoor places! Here are highlights from our statewide DNR events calendar and Get Involved webpage, where you'll find things to do and ways to help all month long.
For 10 years now, the staff at the DNR’s Outdoor Adventure Center has found new, creative ways to bring a bit of "up north" to downtown Detroit and to help visitors of all ages discover connections with Michigan’s natural world. If you’re up for an OAC event this weekend, try Birding Belle Isle Sunday morning, Sept. 7.
Enjoy a walk around the park to observe and identify migratory and resident birds of the island, and learn about their identifying features, where they live and what makes them unique. The event is free (though registration is needed), but a Recreation Passport is needed for vehicle entry to the park.
Although the Belle Isle birding walk is the only OAC-led adventure this month (due to closure for annual maintenance), follow the OAC activity schedule for more fall fun and learning in October and November!
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Step back in time and learn more about our state’s past with Michigan History Center-partnered programs and events, including:
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The 2025 Heritage Gathering, Sept. 6 at the Detroit Public Library’s main branch. The annual MHC and Michigan Freedom Trail Commission program – this year with the theme “Old Stories of Freedom from Detroit” – is a fitting way to kick off Underground Railroad Heritage Month. Although registration is closed, those interested in attending to enjoy the presentations are welcome! Just know that seating is limited, and lunch will be on your own.
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StoryTime with CADL, Sept. 28 at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing. Join the museum and Capital Area District Libraries for stories, songs and movement – all inspired by the people, places and nature that make Michigan magical. Perfect for children up through age 6 and their caregivers. This free event requires no registration.
Watch the MHC events calendar for more history-themed fun and learning.
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With sessions historically ranging from ice fishing and beekeeping to deer hunting and hiking, the DNR's Outdoor Skills Academy's September offerings – both starting out in the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center at Bay City State Park – include opportunities to learn about wild mushrooms and outdoor survival.
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Tobico Marsh Wild Mushroom Clinic, Sept. 14. Learn how to identify a variety of Michigan’s edible wild mushrooms, where to start looking and how to properly transport, clean, consume and preserve them.
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Tobico Marsh Survival Clinic, Sept. 27. Get an introduction to fire building and safety, shelter building, packing for preparedness, survival fishing techniques, a primitive archery shoot, the chance to camp overnight and more!
Bookmark Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills and watch for more classes with supportive, expert-led, hands-on instruction to build your confidence and inspire more outdoor adventure.
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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:
- Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to noon.
- Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), Saturday Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County), Sunday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County), Sunday, Sept. 7, and Friday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to noon.
- Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to noon and Sunday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to noon.
Learn more about individual workdays and registration info on the DNR volunteer events calendar. Additional September workdays in southeast Michigan will be posted soon – please check back for details.
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On the Ground, Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ volunteer wildlife habitat improvement program in partnership with the DNR, offers three opportunities in September. Lunch, gear and volunteer gifts will be provided.
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Prescribed burns, timber harvests, tree planting and other activities are carefully planned to keep Michigan’s nearly 4 million acres of state forest thriving. Plans for these activities are currently being made for 2027, but public input is welcome now.
Find out what activities are planned and how to offer your input at Michigan.gov/ForestInput. You can 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 2025 season.
Due to the effects of the March 2025 ice storm in the northeastern Lower Peninsula, the public review periods for the Atlanta, Gaylord, Grayling and Pigeon River Country forest management units have been postponed. The schedule will be updated when the comment periods and open houses are rescheduled.
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The DNR and Wheels in Motion invite the disability community to Disability Dune Day, Sept. 10 at Silver Lake State Park – an exhilarating afternoon of four-wheeling adventures!
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Sign up for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Michigan Tree ID and Me clinic, Sept. 21 at Ludington State Park, and discover how to identify native trees and boost your knowledge of state ecology.
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If you enjoy doing good while having a good time, our community science opportunities might be the perfect fit. Learn more about helping locally and around the globe!
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