Initial work to develop the Houghton Douglass Falls and Veterans Memorial Scenic Site is underway.

To ensure visitor safety, the entire site will temporarily close to the public during construction.

Located in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the future scenic site boasts Michigan’s impressive 110-foot waterfall and breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding forest. The memorial will honor veterans and provide a beautiful natural setting for visitors.

The site was named for Michigan’s first state geologist Douglas Houghton and his cousin C.C. Douglass who worked in Houghton’s survey party. The site will be officially dedicated at a later date. Read more

This past Friday, Safari Club International (SCI) and the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) submitted an opening brief to the Ninth Circuit court of appeals detailing the many ways in which a district court in California misinterpreted the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) delisting rule.

In 2020, the FWS removed gray wolves across the lower 48 United States from the ESA lists of threatened and endangered species. A federal district court in California overturned that decision. SCI and NRA appealed, and Friday’s brief represents the first major step in that appeal wherein our organizations will stand up in court to defend the effective implementation of the ESA.

Since 2003 and across four Presidential Administrations, the Service has repeatedly tried to remove gray wolves from the ESA. Gray wolves have exponentially grown in numbers and habitat, and they no longer require the ESA’s protection. Federal courts, however, have largely overturned these rules based on technical legal issues—to the detriment of social tolerance of wolf populations and the Service’s ability to free up resources to recover other species that are truly at risk. Read more

Suspected cases can be reported online at Michigan.gov/ReportBTM

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is addressing the detection of box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in Lapeer County recently reported by the United States Department of Agriculture. Although this invasive pest is not a threat to Michigan’s natural resources, it can lead to significant defoliation and death of ornamental boxwood.

The new population of box tree moth was discovered through monitoring efforts in collaboration with the USDA. MDARD has been conducting statewide trapping for the pest, while the USDA has focused on trapping around the perimeter of the other 12 counties currently under quarantine to track the spread of this pest.

“These surveying and trapping efforts play a significant role in helping monitor and slow the spread of box tree moth within our state,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “We’re continuing to work closely with Michigan’s horticulture industry to ensure the safe trade of plant materials and minimize the impact on nurseries, greenhouses, and retailers both inside and outside of the quarantined area.”

In 2023, MDARD implemented a box tree moth interior quarantine, which now encompasses 12 counties in Southeastern Michigan: Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne. MDARD is currently working to update the quarantine to include Lapeer County, which would make it the 13th county impacted by BTM. Read more

As the weather cools and the days shorten, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources begins the process of removing swim buoys from many state park beaches.

Swim buoys help mark the boundaries of a swim area, which are established to help identify locations with shallower water (less than 5 feet) and lower risks of dangerous currents and waves. DNR staff inspects these areas approximately every two weeks and adjusts them as needed to maximize safety.

Once buoys are removed, the area is no longer considered a swim area. While the beach remains open to the public, swimming is not recommended. Read more

The recent stretch of unseasonably warm, dry weather is perfect for late-summer outdoor activities, but it also boosts wildfire risk. That means taking care to prevent wildfires when you work and play outside this week.

“Most importantly, if you are planning to burn yard debris, make sure weather conditions allow for burning,” said Jeff Vasher, fire specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Debris burns that escape are the top cause of wildfires in Michigan.”

If you intend to burn yard debris, go to Michigan.gov/BurnPermit to see if weather conditions allow for burning in your area. Read more

Picking and planting milkweed seed pods this fall can help future eastern monarch butterflies, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. These butterflies are currently migrating through Ohio on their way to Mexico, where they spend the winter.

Various species of milkweed are the only host plants for monarch caterpillars. Each spring, eastern monarchs lay eggs on milkweed as they migrate north from Mexico. Monarchs travel between 50 and 100 miles per day on a journey that may cover several thousand miles in total. After several generations, monarchs reach their northernmost range in southern Canada. In the fall, a super-generation migrates all the way to southern overwintering sites.

Anyone can play a role in supporting monarchs by planting milkweed. Milkweed is the sole host plant for monarchs and is beneficial at every stage of the insect’s life cycle. Early fall is a great time to gather milkweed pods from the landscape and plant the seeds to add valuable habitat for monarchs. For those with an abundance of milkweed, the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) is coordinating pod collection through local Soil and Water Conservation District locations. Go to ohiopollinator.org to find a nearby drop-off site. Read more

A grizzly bear was euthanized last week after a series of conflicts with chicken coops and other attractants near homes in the Silver Butte area south of Libby.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife specialists received reports of the bear breaking into chicken coops, greenhouses, and storage sheds on residential properties near Barren Peak Road off U.S. Highway 2. There were also reports of the bear going onto porches of homes.

The male bear, estimated to be approximately 2 years old, was exhibiting bold behavior that indicates it was conditioned to unnatural food sources. This is a habit that is very hard to break and causes human safety concerns, as bears actively pursue food and other attractants in and around homes, ranches, and other occupied areas instead of returning to natural food sources.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized removal of the bear, and the bear was trapped and euthanized. Grizzly bears are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and the USFWS has final authority regarding management actions. Read more

Two Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers who patrol in northwest Michigan were recognized during Thursday’s meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing.

Sgt. Dan Bigger and CO Logan Turner received DNR Distinguished Service Awards for an attempted water rescue on Lake Michigan in 2022. Turner also received a DNR Lifesaving Award for his quick actions in extinguishing a vehicle fire involving an injured person trapped inside.

Burning vehicle in Traverse City

On Feb. 1, 2024, Turner responded to a two-vehicle accident on West South Airport Road, near Eastward Drive in Traverse City. Read more

Hunters not injured in encounter

A grizzly bear was killed Monday in an encounter with bowhunters in Tepee Creek, north of West Yellowstone.

The two hunters reported being charged by a sow grizzly bear with two yearling cubs. Using handguns, the hunters shot and killed the sow. The yearling bears also charged at the hunters, who shot at and injured one of the yearlings. The hunters were not injured.

Bear specialists, game wardens and a helicopter pilot with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, as well as law enforcement staff with the Custer Gallatin National Forest, visited the site on Wednesday. They confirmed the mortality of the adult bear, an older female. Officials found evidence of a yearling bear being injured, but they did not locate the yearling bears. Read more