By HEATHER JOHNSON DUROCHER
Trails and resources writer and editor
Parks and Recreation Division
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Two trails in the northern Lower Peninsula are recipients of the 2025 Pure Michigan Trail designation, an annual recognition that spotlights some of the state’s best trail experiences.

The Betsie Valley Trail, a 22-mile pathway extending from Frankfort through Elberta and Beulah to Thompsonville in Benzie County, and Chain of Lakes Water Trail, a 100-plus mile inland water trail made up of 12 lakes and interconnected rivers in northwest Michigan, are this year’s Pure Michigan Trail recipients. Read more

AZGFD has over 100 desert tortoises that need forever homes

When we asked the Easter Bunny to include some desert tortoises in his Easter basket deliveries, he said the only shells he deals with are on the eggs! So now, we’re asking you directly. The Desert Tortoise Adoption Program at the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) currently has over 100 non-releasable desert tortoises that need forever homes. The tortoises will soon wake up from brumation, so it’s the perfect time to get your burrow built and your adoption application submitted. Everything you need to know about the adoption process, burrow-building and tortoise care can be found at azgfd.gov/tortoise.

Wildlife biologists at AZGFD are currently caring for over 100 surrendered desert tortoises that would jump (or at least crawl enthusiastically) at the chance to join your family this spring. Each year, AZGFD cares for hundreds of captive desert tortoises that have been turned into the state or abandoned as a result of illegal breeding. It’s not safe for these tortoises to be released back into the wild—captive tortoises can harbor respiratory infections that could be devastating to the wild population—so the AZGFD Desert Tortoise Adoption Program looks after them, but space and resources are limited. That’s where you come in: In addition to getting a great pet, Arizona residents have a unique opportunity to help protect our state’s desert wildlife by welcoming a desert tortoise to their home. Read more

Like many Montanans do this time of year, a man was shed hunting in north-central Montana near Dupuyer on Friday. The man was searching for antlers on a brushy hillside when he first saw a bear. As he was leaving the area, the bear charged him at close range. He shot and killed the bear. Fortunately, the man was uninjured.

The bear was an adult female grizzly in good condition with no history of conflict and was estimated to be 13 years old and weighing around 250 pounds. Read more

A historic ice storm devastated northern Michigan last month, including the eastern Upper Peninsula, and triggered a state of emergency. Consequently, all Department of Natural Resources-managed motorized and nonmotorized trails are temporarily closed for safety, assessment, infrastructure repairs and cleanup. We anticipate a phased reopening over the coming weeks.

Similarly, several state parks, campgrounds and boating access sites are temporarily closed until safe access can be restored, including hazardous tree assessment and removal.

Volunteer action plan development Read more

At times this spring you may need to bolster your offerings of grape jelly and sliced oranges by adding another cup or bowl of jelly to feed the crowd (Baltimore Oriole photo by Paul Konrad).

Western birders will be delighted to see Bullock’s Orioles return to their yard and countryside. Beyond your feeding station, check flowering trees for orioles in your neighborhood (photo by Fernando Ortega).

Visiting an oriole nectar feeder with indented jelly bowls, this adult male Orchard Oriole shows 1 of the 3 different plumage types for the species. Watch for adult male, female, and yearling male plumages (photo by Paul Konrad).

Soon, sometime in the next month the migratory species of hummingbirds and orioles will arrive for all of us to enjoy and appreciate for days or weeks or months ahead. How can you entice them to stay longer while benefiting these birds in a big way during their long migration north? By providing much-needed high-calorie foods and fresh water, which should keep them in your yard and neighborhood a little longer. In fact, some orioles and hummingbirds may even be encouraged to stay and nest in your area if they find a trusted source of food and water at your feeding station. Read more

In the middle of a long day of clearing fallen trees and branches from roadways near Lewiston, Mich., Jason Mittlestat was able to put down his chainsaw and enjoy an unexpected treat: lunch at a community meal.

Sponsoring the lunch was St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which also provided hot showers and beds for people who couldn’t stay at home due to the ice storm that devastated parts of a 12-county area of northern Michigan starting March 30-31.

“It was donated food and all volunteers running it,” said Teresa Collins, church secretary. “One day we served 600 meals.”

Mittlestat, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources forester from Baraga, reflected on what will really stick with him from this effort: “Neighbors helping neighbors. People helping out,” he said. “That’s how people are getting out of this.”

His story caused us to ask a similar question to another crew member, then another and another at dinner last night.

We’ve talked extensively about the mission of clearing roads and access to communications towers. This time we asked our crews: “After all of this, what is going stick with you?”

None of those we asked talked about trees or roads.

Mittlestat’s coworker Todd Markham, also of Baraga, chimed in “The human spirit is to be kind. I don’t want people to think we’re bragging about the stuff we cut. So many people were out there doing all of this. Neighbor to neighbor. All over. And we got to see that.” Read more

TiCK MiTT delivers tick protection solutions to keep your pets safe from even the smallest threats

TiCK MiTT, a scientifically engineered, chemical-free solution designed to help find and remove ticks before embedding into the skin, is celebrating National Pet Day with the greatest gift of all – protection from tick-borne illnesses.

Checking your dog for ticks is crucial, especially as we head into Spring, and spend more time outside. Ticks are notorious carriers of various diseases, such as Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis, which can be harmful and even life-threatening to both pets and humans. Early detection and removal of ticks are both vital in significantly reducing the risk of transmission.

TiCK MiTT was developed by father-daughter duo Olivia and Steve Abrams, who were inspired to take action by their own personal challenges with Lyme Disease. The brand offers a unique, chemical-free approach to tick removal. Unlike traditional methods that might use chemicals like DEET or permethrin, TiCK MiTT works mechanically to trap loose ticks without exposing one’s pet or your family to toxins. It’s perfect if you’re looking for natural pet care solutions and is effective at removing several ticks at once. Read more

April 10, 2025

Following severe ice storms in northern Michigan, Department of Natural Resources staff members are assessing damage and conducting cleanup at several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails.

DNR crews are also collaborating with local agencies and utility companies to clear debris, prioritize the restoration of essential services and ensure access to critical infrastructure. Much of the work is being coordinated with the Michigan Army National Guard.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a 12-county disaster area last week, which includes Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.

As a result, the DNR temporarily closed several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails until safe access can be restored, including hazardous tree assessment and removal. Read more