Michigan Government Land: Keep or Sell?

lush green wetlands spread out against a backdrop of tall, deep-green pine trees and a bright blue skyDNR’s nearly four-year intensive land review effort recently completed

By SARAH LAPSHAN
Senior Communications Advisor
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Three and a half years, nearly 9,800 individual parcels and more than 167,000 total acres comprehensively evaluated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources – it’s all part of the DNR’s agencywide state land review process that concluded in February with approval of the final group of staff recommendations on which parcels to keep, swap or sell.

It was a massive undertaking prompted by Michigan’s Managed Public Land Strategy (initially developed in 2013), which directs the DNR to evaluate how well the lands under its care contribute to the department’s mission.

The review focused on two basic types of parcels: those that are either 200 acres or smaller in size or those irregularly shaped with a significant shared private-public boundary that makes them difficult to manage.

Just how much land are we talking about? Read more

Grizzly Bear Euthanized Due to Cattle Depredation in Teton County

A grizzly bear was euthanized Monday after a cattle depredation on private land along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks had previously captured and radio collared the young adult male bear weighing 375 pounds near Simms earlier this month, and it was relocated at that time by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Considering this, and in consultation with the USFWS, the bear was euthanized by U.S.D.A. Wildlife Services on March 25. Read more

Michigan DNR hiring conservation officers

DU Receives $10 Million for Biodiversity and Habitat Restoration Efforts

Ducks Unlimited MEMPHIS, TN – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is funding the largest climate investment in history to connect forest landowners with emerging climate markets as part of the Investing in America agenda.

This investment includes $10 million awarded to Ducks Unlimited’s (DU) Flyway Forests program, which seeks to restore bottomland hardwood forests and wildlife habitat on private lands in the lower Mississippi River valley, tributaries and adjacent counties. The award will support the program’s dual objectives of increasing biodiversity and carbon sequestration across the region. This funding also enables novel approaches to biodiversity crediting schemes while reaching and assisting underserved landowners. Read more

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Arrives Along Florida’s Coasts

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that sea turtles are starting to nest on our beaches. Residents and visitors can play a big part in helping to protect vulnerable nesting sea turtles this spring and summer while visiting Florida’s coastal habitats.

Because our state’s shorelines provide important nesting habitat for several species of threatened and endangered sea turtles, beachgoers can have a significant impact on their nesting success. To help nesting sea turtles, people can take easy steps to protect them, including giving them space, minimizing disturbances and keeping beaches clean and dark. Read more

Create High-Quality Cover Screen with Antler King’s Barricade

Antler King provides an easy solution for hunters and land managers to develop all-season cover with Barricade plot seed.

Formulated with a blend of grain sorghum, forage sorghum, and sorghum sudangrass, Barricade grows up to 8 feet tall, thick and fast. The annual sorghums can create funnels and travel corridors, divide food plots, grow bedding cover, block poachers, conceal ground blinds, and provide cover for sneaking into hunting spots. Barricade growth also provides a cold-weather food source well into the winter.

Barricade should be planted in the summer for full growth by hunting season. A three-pound bag, which covers ¼ acre or 100 square feet, retails for $24.99, and a 40-pound bag retails for $199.99.

To learn more about Barricade and browse the full Antler King lineup, visit antlerking.com.

Invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Found in Western Antrim County

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently verified a new detection of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid near Torch Lake in western Antrim County. The extent of the infestation has not yet been determined, but an extensive survey of the surrounding area is underway. With this new detection, Antrim becomes the seventh county in the state with an active hemlock woolly adelgid infestation, joining Allegan, Benzie, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Washtenaw counties.

“The new infestation was found by a landowner who learned about the hemlock woolly adelgid while attending an educational outreach event held by the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area that serves Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Emmet Counties,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “Situations like this demonstrate the importance of public awareness in our fight against invasive species.” Read more

Warden K9 Storm, Game Warden Robertson Locate Missing Abbot Man

Warden K9 Storm and Game Warden Chad Robertson located a missing 71-year-old man in Abbot last night, deep in the woods, approximately 1.5 miles from his house.

Howard Weymouth, age 71 of Abbot, had gone for a walk on his property yesterday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. His family became concerned when he did not return, as Weymouth has alzheimers, and they began searching for him, following tracks in the snow behind his house.

When they were unable to locate him, they contacted the Maine Warden Service, and the Maine Warden Service began searching for Weymouth at approximately 7:30 p.m. last night. A family member and Game Warden Taylor Valente located new tracks that appeared to be going in circles and backtracking over a mile and a half from his house.

Game Warden Robertson and K9 Storm were given the coordinates, and they were able to quickly locate Weymouth at approximately 9:30 p.m. Weymouth was still able to walk under his own power with assistance, and he and several game wardens walked out to the nearest road where they met other wardens who transported him back to his home and family.

New QuietKat Ranger AWD E-Bike

Eagle, CO – QuietKat Electric Bikes, a leader in off-road eBikes and a Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) brand, is proud to unveil the latest innovation in electric biking, the Ranger All Wheel Drive (AWD) eBike. Building on the renowned Ranger model, the AWD version introduces dual 750w motors and a 17.25Ah UL certified battery, coupled with a single-speed drivetrain and a premium comfort saddle for an unmatched off-road experience.

The Ranger AWD’s all-wheel-drive capability, enabled by a unique controller scheme, minimizes the front wheel “tug” commonly experienced with AWD bikes, offering better traction, more power, and ultimately more fun. Designed for both thrill-seekers and casual adventurers, the Ranger AWD’s motor selector switch allows riders to toggle between front, rear, and both motors, accommodating various riding conditions and preferences.

With an emphasis on efficiency, durability, and rider comfort, the Ranger AWD stands out with its whisper-quiet operation, peak system input of 2000W, and specialized components that ensure a seamless integration of power and performance. Highlights include a suspension seat post, a linear throttle response system, and the bike’s capability to handle the most challenging terrains without compromising on riding experience. Read more

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