Are you a part of a community or organization working to add to your area’s tree canopy? Assistance for public tree planting projects is available from the nonprofit ReLeaf Michigan. Here’s how it works: First, your organization applies for ReLeaf Michigan assistance, which includes site review, purchase and delivery assistance, 50% of tree purchase funding up to $2,000, marketing materials and volunteer training. Then, your organization organizes the volunteers, plans the event and selects the site. Together, you will hep bring the benefits of trees to your community. Interested? Learn more and submit an application.

How are forest lands in Michigan protected for the future?

Michigan’s Forest Legacy Program offers several paths. This program provides funding to purchase or secure conservation easements on environmentally important forest lands to ensure they will be enjoyed by our next generations.

The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“The Forest Legacy Program protects forest lands so they will provide the benefits of forests forever,” said Kerry Heckman, forest land administrator for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “Forests are critical for the renewable forest products we use every day, clean air and water and the places we love to hunt, hike and fish.”

Have a parcel that could benefit from Forest Legacy Program protection? Nomination applications for the nationally competitive program are due May 3. Read more

A field study is underway in Alpena County to evaluate the delivery of an oral bovine tuberculosis (bTB) vaccine for wild deer. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is collaborating with Michigan State University (MSU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) to explore the development of a new, future tool to manage bTB, which could help to further protect wildlife, livestock and the public from this disease.

“We are very excited to explore a potential new tool that can facilitate efforts towards the long-term goal of bTB eradication in Michigan,” said Melinda Cosgrove, Laboratory Scientist Manager with the DNR. Read more

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

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

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