Around 400,000 people in Michigan own land with trees on it. These forests may be small woodlots where families live, or larger forests up north used for recreation or investment. Collectively these “family forest landowners” manage 9 million acres, which comprises almost half of Michigan’s 20 million acres of forest and more than double the 4 million acres of state-owned forest land.

Taking good care of a forest is hard work and some guidance is helpful for any landowner. Many people, programs, agencies and organizations in Michigan serve family forest landowners, but how can any of them help 400,000 people with woodlands in all 83 counties?

Public-private partnerships are when the government works with the private sector to solve a complex problem together. Helping 400,000 family forest landowners is certainly a team sport with many agencies and organizations working together. One growing partnership is the collaboration between the Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Forest Association. It is made possible with generous funding from the USDA Forest Service.

What is the Michigan Forest Association? Read more

Following investigation by Bureau of Land Management law enforcement, two recreational shooters will pay more than $24,000 to the BLM after firing illegal exploding ammunition that sparked the 2024 Leeds and Chalky Butte fires in southwest Idaho. Together, the fires scorched more than 700 acres of public land, underscoring the costly risks of illegal ammunition use. The BLM continues to urge safe, responsible recreation to protect communities and natural resources.

“These settlements show that unsafe recreation has real consequences, while ensuring the public is repaid for the damages and restoration of Idaho’s BLM lands,” said BLM Boise District Manager Shelly Lynch.

Recreational target shooting has been the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in Idaho during 2025, despite restrictions outlined in the Bureau of Land Management’s Idaho Fire Prevention Order. Common violations include the use of steel component ammunition, shooting at steel targets, and using exploding targets—among several restrictions designed to reduce wildfire risk.

“Fires that recklessly originate on public lands often impact private property and harm our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott. “In both cases, our BLM Idaho Fire partners were able to control the spread of these two fires and protect private property. The restitution paid by both perpetrators was necessary to offset the damages and fire suppression costs and will serve as a deterrent against improper use of our public lands in the future.”

Leeds Fire: Read more

Despite setbacks from the White Sage Fire, new condors will join the Arizona-Utah flock on Sept. 27

Partners in Arizona-Utah California Condor conservation, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), will gather to celebrate Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 27, by witnessing five new members of the Arizona-Utah flock of endangered California condors take to the sky for the first time.

This year’s event, hosted by The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management, marks its 29th anniversary and will again feature an in-person celebration at the condor viewing site in the valley below the release pen, as well as a livestream of the release on the Peregrine Fund’s YouTube channel.

The five new condors, hatched and raised at the Oregon Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, are healthy and ready to join the flock. Their release marks a return to normalcy for The Peregrine Fund’s Condor Release and Management Facility, which evacuated two resident “mentor condors” and one rehabilitating condor during the White Sage Fire. The captive birds were moved from the clifftop flight pen to a safe location below. The wild flock members stayed safe by avoiding the area entirely. Read more

Public is encouraged to continue reporting sick or dead deer

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reporting Michigan’s first detected cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in 2025.

The DNR Wildlife Health Section, Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study confirmed the EHD virus in free-ranging white-tailed deer from Eaton, Jackson, Van Buren and Washtenaw counties. As samples are submitted from additional counties, any further detections will be posted on the DNR’s EHD webpage.

EHD is a viral, sometimes fatal disease that periodically affects white-tailed deer in Michigan. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected midge, or biting fly. Deer cannot transmit the disease directly to one another; the virus must pass through the insect. Read more

Third phase of successful partnership will protect critical waterfowl habitat across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Migratory Bird Council awarded a $2.8 million grant to support the third phase of the South Atlantic Wetlands and Wildlands conservation initiative, led by Ducks Unlimited in partnership with state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and private landowners across the Southeast.

“For more than 35 years, NAWCA has been the gold standard for wetlands conservation in North America,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “Every dollar invested in the program is typically doubled or tripled by matching contributions, making it an incredible return on investment that benefits America’s hunters, migratory bird populations and outdoor economy. This program maintains its success through consistent, bipartisan support from Congress and the Administration, and we’re ready to help turn this investment into habitat that will further sustain waterfowl populations.”

This latest grant continues a successful conservation series that has already protected 3,943 acres in the project area. In addition, 2,181 priority wetland acres have been enhanced for waterfowl populations along the critical Atlantic Flyway migration corridor. Read more

After consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured and relocated a subadult male grizzly bear on August 15, 2025.

The grizzly bear was captured for cattle depredation on U.S. Forest Service lands in Fremont County. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Shoshone National Forest, the grizzly bear was relocated to the Mormon Creek drainage approximately 5 miles from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Grizzly bears are relocated in accordance with state and federal law and regulation, and Game and Fish is required to update the public whenever a grizzly bear is relocated.

WHY RELOCATION? Read more

Researchers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will pilot the use of trail cameras to estimate the state’s elk population as part of a larger research project aimed at determining the most accurate and cost-effective way to manage the elk herd.

The DNR’s Wildlife Division recently set up about 200 cameras in and around the core elk range, which encompasses some 1,100 square miles across northern Lower Michigan. Most of the cameras are on state-managed land, although DNR researchers worked with landowners to set up cameras on private land as well.

Camera data will be compared against the DNR’s current method of estimating the elk population – aerial surveys – to determine which method is more precise and cost-effective.

Survey goals, challenges Read more

Virus detected in coyotes, foxes in Maricopa County; pets should be fully vaccinated

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has been receiving an increasing number of reports in recent weeks of sick or disoriented coyotes within residential neighborhoods, parks and green spaces.

Laboratory testing has confirmed the diagnosis of canine distemper, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of both domestic and wild animals, primarily canids.

While distemper cannot infect humans, it poses a serious risk to unvaccinated dogs and certain wildlife species. Pet owners should ensure their animals are fully vaccinated, keep dogs on a leash, and avoid contact with wildlife.

Infected coyotes and foxes may display unusual behavior such as a lack of fear toward humans, stumbling, seizures, or discharge from the eyes and nose. The virus spreads through direct contact, airborne droplets, and shared food or water sources. It’s important to note that canine distemper cannot be distinguished from rabies based on clinical symptoms. To that point, it’s important to avoid approaching or touching wildlife, and report any sick or dead animals to AZGFD.

The department recommends: Read more

Want to learn more about firefighting equipment?

Join the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Roscommon Equipment Center staff Oct. 6-10 at the state’s Forest Fire Experiment Station for an in-depth equipment workshop.

The workshop provides equipment demonstrations and networking opportunities. It is ideal for fire department chiefs, equipment program leaders and other wildland fire professionals.

Activities will include the following: Read more