Petition cites evidence of corruption, secret meetings and exclusion of tribes and other groups from public meetings

Today, May 16, 2025, the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (SAF) filed a petition with Gov. Ferguson asking for the removal of Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissioners Barbara Baker, Lorna Smith, Melanie Rowland, and John Lehmkuhl after evidence of corruption and bad practices was uncovered by the organization in its lawsuit to force disclosure of internal communications.

“We thought the evidence of corruption might be bad, but the mountain of evidence we’ve uncovered is like nothing we’ve seen before,” said Evan Heusinkveld, President & CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “This is bad government on steroids. Secret meetings, exclusion of tribes and others from public meetings, an obvious and open contempt for the public, and a total disregard of the law – it’s all there, and it’s obvious that this is simply the way these four commissioners do business. We are hopeful the governor stands up for the good people of Washington and shuts this down.”

Governor Ferguson has the full authority to remove Fish and Wildlife Commissioners for cause, and the SAF petition is replete with examples of behaviors that call for the governor to exercise this authority and put an end to these ongoing abuses. The petition also references a multitude of other documents the organization has that illustrate additional examples of how deep this corruption goes with these commissioners. Read more

The House Committee on Natural Resources’ budget reconciliation bill would sell public land and send the proceeds to the Treasury. The Boone and Crockett Club objects to this – as we have said we would do. In budget reconciliation, the Treasury is the only allowable destination for revenue. Under existing law or regular congressional direction, revenue from land transactions goes into a fund for the betterment of public lands. This is how it should continue to be.

As the oldest conservation group in the country, founded by Theodore Roosevelt, we see from the perspective of our long view of American conservation another important point: The existing laws for selling and exchanging appropriate parcels of federal land should be available to be exercised expeditiously. They are not. Read more

Maine Warden Service K9 Koda and Game Warden Jake Voter located a missing two-year-old girl in Jay early Tuesday afternoon.

The child and her mother were together outside their home on Tripp Lane in Jay this morning. At one point while doing chores outside, the mother noticed that the toddler was missing.

After a quick search of the immediate area by family members failed to locate the child, the mother called 911 at 11:00 this morning. Due to the child’s age, multiple agencies immediately responded, including Franklin Sheriff’s Office, Jay Police Department, Jay Fire Department, Northstar EMS and 14 Maine Game Wardens including 2 Warden K9’s.

A search of the buildings and woods quickly commenced. At approximately 1:15 p.m., Game Warden Voter and K9 Koda located the child in thick brush about 300 yards northwest of the back of the house. The child was healthy and alert and had only minor scrapes received from walking through the woods. The child was quickly examined and released by emergency medical personnel and reunited with her family. ?

“Warden Voter and K9 Koda did an excellent job locating this young toddler in the thick woods where she was hidden by the brush,” said Maine Game Warden Sergeant Scott Thrasher, “Given the child’s age, it was important to get multiple searchers here quickly and get them searching. It was great teamwork by multiple agencies that made for a very happy ending for the toddler and her family.”

GW:  Don’t forget to honor law enforcement by lowering flags at half-staff for May 15th.  This day is often ignored by many establishments and private citizens for the long-standing flag protocol.

Just about every conservation officer describes their work as incredibly rewarding – some would even call it a “dream career” – but the reality of harm is always present.

During National Police Week, May 11-17, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources joins communities across the United States to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who were killed or died as a result of incidents that occurred during the line of duty.

“We will never forget our fallen,” said Lt. Jeremy Payne, DNR law supervisor in Bay City, who helps coordinate the annual fallen officer events. “Our 17 brothers who paved the path before us went to work one day with the intent to return to their loved ones at the end of their shift. They were sons, husbands, fathers, brothers, grandfathers and friends, and they made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that, today, we all have the opportunity to enjoy Michigan’s vast natural resources.” Read more

May 13, 2025
Contacts: Josh Leisen, senior project manager, Huron Pines, 989-448-2293, ext. 16, or Tim Cwalinski, Gaylord unit supervisor, DNR Fisheries Division, 231-340-0276

Cornwall Dam will be renovated this year to address safety concerns

Renovations to Cornwall Dam will begin in May and extend through fall to satisfy state dam safety requirements. Vehicle access to the Cornwall Creek Flooding’s day-use area will be closed during this period, and a detour of the Shore-to-Shore equestrian trail will be in place.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, which owns the dam, committed to restoring the Cheboygan County dam in 2019. The flooding’s water levels were partially lowered in 2024, following a Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Dam Safety Program recommendation to address concerns with aging infrastructure and embankment seepage issues. Read more

Our Nature Awaits program is returning this fall, and teachers can reserve their spots today! Almost a thousand fourth grade teachers from throughout Michigan registered for a free field trip during the 2024-2025 school year, with 100% of participating teachers reporting they would recommend the program to another teacher.?

With host locations at state parks including Belle Isle in Detroit, Hoffmaster in Muskegon and the newest state park in Flint, interested fourth grade teachers can find a location near their school. Transportation grants for up to $1,000 are available for public schools, and every participating student receives a free voucher to return with their family to a state park of their choice for more outdoor learning and fun.?

“We have worked hard to make all of our students feel safe, supported and psyched for their visits,” said Nature Awaits program coordinator Katie McGlashen. “Fourth graders are at the halfway point of becoming adults with responsibilities. We hope they visit Michigan state parks often throughout their lifetime in any way they choose, whether to fish, camp, bike, bird watch, snowmobile or simply soak up the sunshine.”

To learn more and reserve a field trip, visit Michigan.gov/NatureAwaits. Questions? Email?DNR-NatureAwaits@Michigan.gov.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Friday confirmed a man and his dog were mauled to death by a black bear in Jerome — marking the first fatal black bear attack in state history.

Family members reported 89-year-old Robert Markel missing from his home and “signs of recent disturbances” that could have been caused by a bear or bears around the property.  The rest of the story here…

TiCK MiTT delivers innovative and chemical-free tick protection for humans and pets heading into prime tick season

TiCK MiTT, the tick solutions company is on a mission to reduce cases of tick-borne diseases through innovative, chemical-free products – a safer, easier alternative to traditional chemical-based methods. Ticks can survive and thrive in unexpected places, posing significant risks to both humans and pets. While the threat can be alarming, it doesn’t have to be. May marks Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and TiCK MiTT wants to ensure everyone has the tools and knowledge to perform effective tick checks in the palm of their hands. Read more

By TOM GONIEA
Fisheries biologist, Fisheries Division
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

As spring transitions to summer and the warm temperatures roll in, Michiganders weary of winter excitedly begin adventuring across the state. It’s a time of renewal and reinvigoration for many.But as you head out, be on the lookout for turtles, which are also on the move this time of year.

Late spring and early summer are times when turtles are moving en masse across the landscape. The females are actively looking for nesting sites, and males also just kind of wander this time of year, moving between the lakes, ponds and streams they call home.

This overland movement often involves crossing roads, which unfortunately results in noticeable levels of turtle mortality throughout the state. That roadkill can be high enough to affect local populations and likely is the largest direct loss of adult turtles by humans.

“I receive calls every year from people in my area about dead turtles on the roads and have few answers for them,” said Scott Heintzelman, fisheries biologist and Central Lake Michigan Unit manager for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “It is particularly sad to see or hear about turtles that have been intentionally hit on the road.” Read more