Michigan Department of Natural Resources

With the snow melting and days getting longer, Michigan’s spring birding season is almost here, and now is the time to start making plans.

With spring approaching, the Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers throughout the state to assist with its annual frog and toad survey. Michigan’s is the second-longest-running such survey in the country, after Wisconsin...

Conservation officers are stepping up decibel-level enforcement to ensure snowmobilers are in compliance with state law and acceptable noise levels. Noncompliance could damage Michigan’s nationally recognized trail system. “Without this partnership, the expansive, interconnected trail system enjoyed by thousands of snowmobilers each year wouldn’t exist,” says the DNR.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has sent 17 firefighters to help battle wildfires in California, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. The firefighters serve in various capacities as part of incident management teams, including fire-line management, public information responsibilities, and heavy equipment bosses and operators.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced the availability of applications for the 2015 DNR Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program. The grants are funded through the U.S. Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry Program.

To help prevent wildfires, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources urges people to place used fireworks, including sparklers, in a bucket of water after they’ve gone out. When thrown on the ground while they’re still hot, fireworks can cause grass fires that can spread to become wildfires.

Three free-ranging Canada goslings in Macomb County have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N2. The announcement was made in a press release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Michigan Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Avian influenza is a virus that can infect both free-ranging and domestic poultry such as chickens, turkeys, quail

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has produced an interactive map that highlights the state’s 2014 wildfires and prescribed burns – each more than 10 acres in size – to help mushroom hunters in their quest for morels. The Mi-Morels map provides forest cover type information, latitude and longitude coordinates, and state land boundary information “Morel mushrooms are often found in locat

Spring is here which brings warmer temperatures, longer days and wildlife emerging from their winter homes. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds residents that black bears are among those animals that are now awake and have left their dens.

Springtime brings with it an increase in sightings of nestlings and baby animals like this young fawn hidden in the tall grass. While fawns may seem abandoned, they almost certainly are not – deer often leave fawns unattended for long periods to help prevent them from being detected by predators.

April 1, marked the start of the Department of Natural Resources’ 2015 fuelwood season. The personal-use permits can be purchased any time now through December 31, 2015, in person or by mail. The permits are good for 90 days from the date of purchase. Bill O’Neill, DNR Forest Resources Division chief, reminds people who are looking for alternative home-heating options that the fuelwood permits are

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has updated the 2008 Michigan Wolf Management Plan and is seeking public comment. According to the Detroit News, it criticizes the re-listing of Great Lakes wolves as endangered. Your comments must be received by April 3.