Those interested in sharing feedback about the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ newest draft of the state’s wolf management plan are invited to complete an online questionnaire, available through Aug. 4.

Michigan’s wolf management plan – created in 2008 and updated in 2015 – is being updated this year, using public input to identify prominent issues, assess public attitudes and review the biological and social science surrounding wolves.

The draft 2022 plan has four principal goals:

• Maintain a viable wolf population.
• Facilitate wolf-related benefits.
• Minimize wolf-related conflicts.
• Conduct science-based and socially responsible management of wolves.

Michigan’s wolf management plan has guided oversight of this iconic species in the state for the last 13 years. The 2022 update will include recent scientific literature, input from the Wolf Management Advisory Council and results of a new public survey about wolves in Michigan.

“Now that we have written a draft of the updated 2022 wolf management plan, it’s important that we gather feedback from the public to ensure the changes we’re proposing will support the long-term presence of a viable wolf population in Michigan, while addressing the needs of those with an interest in the health and viability of the state’s wolf population,” said Cody Norton, DNR large carnivore specialist.

Michigan’s gray wolf population was almost eliminated by the mid-1970s. Today, Michigan has a wolf population close to 700 in the Upper Peninsula. Gray wolves in Michigan were again removed from the federal endangered species list in early 2021, but a federal court decision in February 2022 returned them to federal protections.

The online questionnaire will accept comments through Aug. 4.

For more information about wolves in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Wolves.

The Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development recently confirmed the presence of invasive beech leaf disease in a small, private woodlot in southern St. Clair County, located in southeast Michigan.

With no known treatment available for beech leaf disease, its potential spread through the region could have a devastating effect on beech trees, already under attack from beech bark disease.  Landowners reported the suspected beech leaf disease outbreak in St. Clair County through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network after noticing stunted, odd-shaped leaves on young beech trees in a wooded area on their property. DNR forest health staff collected samples for preliminary testing by the Michigan State University Forest Pathology Laboratory. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Summer is here and the list of fun things to do is endless in Michigan.  Fortunately for outdoor enthusiasts the recent dryness has kept mosquitos from hatching and otherwise posing their usual threats to our enjoyment of fresh air.  At the same time, however, there are plenty of active insects and biting bugs to spoil our fun, if we are not prepared.  Here are some of my favorite bugs to hate.

*  Deer flies:  These terrorists are more than annoying and rule the air near low-lying areas near damp/wet vegetation.  They are attracted by sight, smell, or by the detection of carbon dioxide that they utilize for breathing.  If a person tries to outrun them, he or she should be wearing their fast shoes, because they will chase prey relentlessly at about 10 miles per hour.  Female deer flies enrich their diet with the blood to develop eggs, when they win the race.  They are particularly attracted to dark colors – especially blue but tend to ignore light colors, which make more sense in hot weather anyway.

*  Yellowjackets: “Yellowjacket can be dangerous, as we move into the later part of summer because they get aggressive, territorial and more intolerant, especially if you get close to their nest,” says Howard Russell, Entomologist, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University.

Be careful when mowing lawns, because they live underground and will defend their nest vigorously if disturbed.

There is a risk of anaphylaxis or a deadly allergic reaction to a bee sting. It is rare, but some people are extra sensitive to bee stings. If you know you are at risk for anaphylaxis from a sting, you should be carrying your prescribed epinephrine auto-injector with you anytime you go outdoors during spring, summer or fall.

Hikers should throw a bottle of Benadryl into their bag when hiking. If you get stung and start to become itchy or have some hives appear, you can take some and mitigate your body’s histamine response.

*  Ticks:  Already this season, I’ve found two of these bloodsuckers attached to my scalp and neck.  They’re almost impossible to detect unless seen or felt.  Be vigilant to spot these arachnids on children or pets after time outdoors.

Consider applying a tick repellent such as permethrin to clothing, because clothes will remain protected after several washes (in the event things get damp out there). You can also use repellent sprays on skin not covered by clothing—just be sure they’re EPA registered.  Make sure to follow label instructions.  Some clothing may be purchased pretreated or spray is available for application.  Note:  Permethrin is highly toxic to cats, so keep them away while spraying.  Once everything is dry, there is no danger to cats.

*  Stink bugs:  They seem to be everywhere but pose no threat to humans, other than the offensive odor they give off when smashed.  A single feeding puncture can kill a plant, so these invaders are not welcome in landscape specimens or gardens.

Soapy water spray will kill stink bugs, as well as just about any creepy crawlers or buzzing menaces without the associated toxicity of most chemicals.  It’s good indoors or out and a great alternative to expensive, commercial products at a fraction of the cost.

Lake frontage, river frontage or vacant forested acreage surrounded by privately owned land – these types of parcels are available in the next round of surplus public land auctions, running Aug. 2 through Sept. 9, from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The department is busy preparing 188 such properties for sale in August and early September. Land is available throughout the Lower and Upper peninsulas. Fifteen online auctions will be offered, featuring vacant land in the following counties on these dates:

• Aug. 2 – Washtenaw.
• Aug. 4 – Huron.
• Aug. 5 – Arenac and Iosco.
• Aug. 11 – Macomb, Saint Clair and Sanilac.
• Aug. 16 – Saint Joseph.
• Aug. 18 – Berrien and Van Burien.
• Aug. 23 – Lake.
• Aug. 26 – Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac.
• Aug. 30 – Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Marquette and Ontonagon.
• Aug. 31 – Antrim and Charlevoix.
• Sept. 1 – Roscommon.
• Sept. 6 – Alcona and Alpena.
• Sept. 7 – Emmet.
• Sept. 8 – Mason, Newaygo and Oceana.
• Sept. 9 – Grand Traverse.

How bidding works Read more

It’s the peak of growing season in most areas of the country, so it’s a great time to appreciate the rewards of your landscaping efforts – your trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers. There are more flowers yet to come, and your garden probably has some more growing to do, but it’s a great time to supplement your flowers, add a bit more color to your yard in a variety of ways, and make your yard even more bird friendly. But keep it simple this time, simple with big rewards.

Simple changes are easy: Few tasks are easier than digging a shallow hole to plant a new shrub, or turning a garden spade to add or transplant some new plants. It’s even easier to let decorative areas of lawn grow unmowed to break up the monotony of low mowed lawn, while at the same time an area of longer grass provides over for birds to dive into when needed, and the seeds produced will also provide a bit of food, if not now, then during fall, winter, or even spring when doves, native sparrows, towhees, thrashers, and others use the “new habitat.” Try starting with a small area, maybe an island of longer grass, a peninsula jutting out from bushes, or 2 feet of longer grass surrounding a tree.

Each year we whittle away at our mowed lawn, and we like how the longer grass adds a different shade of green, adds tranquil motion when the wind blows, and inserts a new texture and touch of nature we didn’t have before. We also let a perimeter of grass grow long around each tree in our yard to add a different, more lush look. It’s been said that there are 40 million acres of mowed lawn in the United States; as birders, many of us are thinking beyond monotonous expanses of mowed lawn.

A more time-consuming summer option, but one many birders interested in gardening are embracing is to take a look at what local native plants you find attractive, especially flowering plants that offer some bird food qualities too. You can probably transplant a few interesting native flowering plants from out of the way public roadside ditches, but you may have some better transplant ideas too. You may even have a native plant greenhouse in your area where you can do some shopping. Read more

Contact: Aimee Brim,
Director of Marketing & Communications
Office 850-243-9046 x30
Mobile 850-543-8059

aimee.brim@gulfarium.com

Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Successfully Releases Four Rehabilitated Sea Turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico

Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL. – The Gulfarium’s C.A.R.E. Center successfully released four rehabilitated sea turtles on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Inlet Beach, Florida.

It was a beautiful morning as the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center released some of it’s recent patients. “It is always so rewarding when we release sea turtles back into the Gulf,” states Patrick Berry, Director of the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center. “All species of sea turtle are endangered so we are passionate about doing everything we can to help these animals. I am proud of our team and their commitment to give sea turtles second chances.”

All of the rehabilitated sea turtles arrived at the C.A.R.E. Center after being accidently hooked by fishermen at local fishing piers.

Silvia, a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle weighing just 7lbs, was foul hooked in the right front flipper by a circle hook at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier on April 5th, 2022. Intake radiographs revealed no internal hooks but her stay at the C.A.R.E. Center was lengthened by an increased white blood cell count, indicating an infection. After a round of antibiotics, Silvia was cleared for release.

Next to head into the Gulf of Mexico was Bjorndal, a sub-adult loggerhead weighing 112lbs, who was foul-hooked with a J-hook in the left front flipper on June 22nd. Clear radiographs and bloodwork meant that it was a short stay at the center for this turtle. Read more

Hunters, birders, and stamp collectors celebrated as the 2022-2023 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp – commonly known as the Duck Stamp – went on sale. The new Federal Duck Stamp and its younger sibling, the Junior Duck Stamp, debuted and are now available for purchase.

The Federal Duck Stamp plays a critically important role in wildlife conservation. Since 1934, sales of this stamp have raised more than $1.1 billion to protect over 6 million acres of wetlands habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“I am thrilled to put my stamp on conservation with the purchase of my Federal Duck Stamps and encourage others to join me,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “This is one of the easiest ways to support migratory bird habitat conservation. Of every dollar spent on a duck stamp, 98 cents of the purchase goes directly to acquiring and protecting habitat for ducks, geese, swans and other wildlife.” Read more

Contact:
John Trierweiler, Public Information Officer

623-236-7230, jtrierweiler@azgfd.gov

Prepare now to welcome home new pet

PHOENIX — For some, a dog or cat will do just fine. But for others who are considering adopting something truly unique to Arizona, say hello to your next family member:

A Sonoran desert tortoise.

“Many people don’t even consider opening up their homes to desert tortoises, but they make fantastic and personable pets,” said Tegan Wolf, desert tortoise adoption program coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).

“It’s rewarding to hear stories from those who have adopted a captive tortoise and made them part of the family, because they’re a unique alternative to traditional family pets. They offer many of the same life lessons to children, and they can provide just as much companionship and personality as a dog or cat.”

Due primarily to illegal breeding, AZGFD has 200 tortoises of various ages and sizes available for adoption. Captive tortoises grow up to about 14 inches long and can live 80-100 years. They cannot be released back into the wild because they could spread diseases that harm wild populations.

Arizona residents interested in providing an adoptive home should review the Tortoise Adoption Program page on the department’s website. Instructions on how to properly care for a desert tortoise and how to build an enclosure/burrow are included. Read more