State park volunteering, lantern hikes, donating toys, mixology class and much more



Share or view as webpage [ [link removed] ]  |  Update preferences [ [link removed] ]




DNR banner [ [link removed] ]


"DNR Events/Get Involved - December 2025"
people hiking on snowy, wooded trail lit by lantern

This month, there are a variety of ways to enjoy and learn about Michigan’s outdoors and to get involved in helping the Department of Natural Resources take care of the state’s natural and cultural resources – here are a few ideas. For a full list of events, see Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar [ [link removed] ], and for more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers [ [link removed] ].


* Help ‘Stuff a Truck’ with holiday toys [ #link_1 ]
* Pitch in to protect natural areas at state parks [ #link_4 ]
* Give holiday gifts that give back to Michigan’s outdoors [ #link_2 ]
* STEAM, mocktails and much more at the Outdoor Adventure Center [ #link_3 ]
* Take a (lantern-lit) hike at state parks [ #link_8 ]
* Be on the lookout for hemlock-harming insects [ #link_6 ]
* Visit Mann House during holiday event [ #link_5 ]

________________________________________________________________________



Help ‘Stuff a Truck’ with holiday toys

two conservation officers in front of patrol truck full of toys

If you’re out and about this week and weekend, consider donating to the seventh annual Stuff a Truck holiday toy collections [ [link removed] ]. The drive, hosted by DNR conservation officers, will take place at several locations throughout the Lower Peninsula – including Clare, Detroit, Gaylord, Grandville, Kalamazoo, Northville, Traverse City and Whitehall – Dec. 6 and 7.

The goal is to collect new, packaged toys, as many as it takes to “stuff” the back of a conservation officer patrol truck. All collected toys will be donated locally to ensure more children have gifts to open Christmas Day.



________________________________________________________________________



Pitch in to protect natural areas at state parks

stewardship volunteers in winter forest

Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays in December. Volunteers are needed to help restore natural areas by removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems. Workdays will take place:


* 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve (Washtenaw County).
* 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6, at Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County).
* 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 7, at Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County).
* 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County).
* 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County).
* 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County).
* 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 14, at Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County).
* 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County).
* 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 20, at Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County).

More details about each workday and how to register can be found on the DNR volunteer events calendar [ [link removed] ].



________________________________________________________________________



Give holiday gifts that give back to Michigan’s outdoors
Collage of These Goods Are Good for Michigan products

Shop our "These Goods are Good for Michigan [ [link removed] ]" partners collection to find unique, outdoor-inspired holiday gifts for just about anyone on your list. Proceeds from these products benefit Michigan state parks, trails and waterways, the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative, Hunters Feeding Michigan and other conservation efforts.

Think of it as gifting twice – once to your loved one, and once to Michigan's outdoors!

________________________________________________________________________



STEAM, mocktails and much more at the Outdoor Adventure Center

man in reindeer antlers playing game with two kids

December is chock-full of fun and learning at the DNR Outdoor Adventure in Detroit. A few highlights:


* Full STEAM Ahead! [ [link removed] ], Dec. 7 – A fun way to engage the whole family in science, technology, engineering, art and math, with hands-on, minds-on activities revealing connections among STEAM, nature and the everyday world. __
* Grown-Up Gatherings: Mocktail Mixology Masterclass [ [link removed] ] (age 21 and older), Dec. 12 – Discover the art of mixology this holiday season! We’ll discuss the science of mixing drinks and the plants and herbs that make our beverages taste so great. You can even make your own mocktail mix to take home. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7. This program is subject to cancellation if minimum attendance is not met.
* Fishing Pole Setup [ [link removed] ] (age 8 and older), Dec. 14 – Hooked on fishing and want to know more? Learn how to assemble and maintain your fishing pole, tie fishing knots, select bobbers and set up tackle in this two-hour workshop.
* Reindeer Games [ [link removed] ], Dec. 28 – Bring your competitive edge and team up with your family to dash, dance and prance through our challenges and take home a fun prize.

You can also enjoy indoor snowball fights, archery, nature education for young kids, programs for seniors, birding, yoga and more. See the OAC activity schedule [ [link removed] ] for a full list of events.



________________________________________________________________________



Take a (lantern-lit) hike at state parks

lantern hung along snowy, tree-lined trail

Seven Lakes State Park in Holly will host an Enchanted Borealis Hike Dec. 5 [ [link removed] ]and Dec. 12-13 [ [link removed] ]. Enjoy a night hike through the park’s woods, guided by lanterns and lights, with warming fires available at the start and other points of the hike. Reservations are required for specific time slots to avoid overfilling available parking.

During the evening Lantern Hike [ [link removed] ] at Island Lake Recreation Area in Brighton, Dec. 6, solar lanterns are hung from the trees to guide the way along a 1.5-mile loop trail near Kent Lake, creating a peaceful and scenic winter walk. Restrooms will be available, and a hot beverage truck will be on-site. Two fire pits, one at the trailhead and another at the halfway point, will offer warm spots to gather and take a break.



________________________________________________________________________




Be on the lookout for hemlock-harming insects

If you have eastern hemlock trees on your property, or spend time in the woods, take time this winter to inspect the trees for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid [ [link removed] ]. It’s the best time of year to look for evidence of an infestation of these tiny, invasive insects that can cause significant harm to Michigan’s estimated 170 million hemlock trees.




Visit Mann House during holiday event

It's a great time of year to tour the Mann House in the historic village of Concord, when the Victorian home – a Michigan History Museum site – is decked out in holiday splendor. Plus, during the Mann House Holiday Open House [ [link removed] ], Dec. 5-7, get a free ornament celebrating the Mann sisters' beloved horse while supplies last.




facebook icon circle [ [link removed] ]X icon circle [ [link removed] ]YouTube icon circle [ [link removed] ]instagram icon [ [link removed] ]pinterest icon circle [ [link removed] ]email icon circle [ [link removed] ]Bluesky icon [ [link removed] ]




If you wish to no longer receive emails from the DNR,
please update your preferences here:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed]? ]  |  Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

Need further assistance?
Contact Us [ [link removed] ]  |  Provide Feedback <[email protected]>

Visit us on our website: Michigan.gov/DNR [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

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