Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports the Wood for Life Partnership, providing firewood for families in need

Flagstaff, AZ – November 15, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is announcing today that as a partner of the Wood for Life project, the National Forest Foundation has received more than $2 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand its firewood relief program for homes in tribal communities in the Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain and Southwestern Regions.

“The work of Wood for Life and its partners is vital to tribal communities and the health of the nation’s forests and grasslands,” said Randy Moore, Chief of the Forest Service. “This funding will have a significant impact for those that rely on firewood as a source of heat and offer job opportunities and skills building for youth in forestry. The Wood for Life project is a great model that can hopefully be expanded to support the health and wellness of tribal communities across the country.”

In addition to helping families heat their homes through firewood banks, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also funds forest restoration work to reduce wildfire risk and provide wood from those treatments to tribal communities. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and agency firewood bank initiatives, the Forest Service is investing more than $10 million in the Wood for Life program over the next five years, focusing on firewood banks serving tribal communities and aligning with USDA’s commitment to increasing investments in historically underserved communities. This work will also be implemented primarily by native, youth, and veteran crews, including Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps on the Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona and the San Juan National Forest in southwest Colorado. Read more

It’s not too early to think about planning your summer camping or boating trip! Campsite and harbor slip reservations can be made up to six months in advance, which means reservations will open Nov. 26 for dates starting Memorial Day Weekend.

Keep in mind that overnight lodging (cabins, yurts, safari tents and lodges) reservations can be made up to a year in advance. Make your reservation at MiDNRReservations.com.

The “Notify Me” feature lets you sign up for an email notification when a site becomes available for selected dates.

Live-streaming camera offers unique viewing experience

WILLCOX, Ariz. — Sandhill cranes by the thousands are once again returning to their wintering grounds at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in southeastern Arizona.

For the next few months, viewers can observe almost 20,000 of these fascinating birds on a live-streaming camera installed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The live stream can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/sandhillcranes.

“The sandhill cranes have once again sprung Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area back to life,” said Jeff Meyers, wildlife viewing program manager. “It’s truly a pleasure to offer this unfiltered view of our state’s wildlife directly to the public, giving them a chance to see the migration of this incredible species in action.” Read more

Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724

LANSING, Mich -The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the detection of box tree moth (BTM) (Cydalima perspectalis) at two residences in Clinton located in Lenawee County. Although not a threat to Michigan’s natural resources, extensive feeding from box tree moth can lead to significant defoliation and death of ornamental boxwood.

In May 2021, potentially infested boxwood plants were shipped to retail locations in several states including six in Michigan. The pest was then identified in three of the six Michigan facilities. It is not known whether the box tree moth populations detected in Clinton are linked or if the pest entered the state through another pathway.

“Box tree moth poses a serious threat to our boxwood industry,” said Mike Philip, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “We are in the assessment stage of this response, and we are asking Michiganders to look closely at their boxwood plants and report any signs of this pest so we can determine the scope of this infestation and work to reduce the spread.” Read more

The No-Mess Blend of chipped seeds and nuts provides the best of bird foods with no waste or shells.

The WBU Winter SuperBlend is specifically formulated to provide birds with the essential energy and fats needed during winter.

Bark Butter Bits provide an excellent no-mess treat for a wide variety of birds.

Feeding birds is rewarding, but let’s face it, it can get messy as seed shells cover the ground, and get scattered about your yard, deck, or patio. If you keep on top of the seed shell build-up, it’s still a dirty clean-up hassle that many birders avoid by feeding shelled seeds, most specifically shelled sunflower seeds and shelled peanuts. Pound for pound, shelled seeds offer the best value because you don’t pay for uneaten shells – the birds eat everything. Then too, why buy seed mixes when almost all birds will eat shelled black oil sunflower seeds, which are healthiest too. Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources asks hunters and others who spend time outdoors to keep an eye out for bear dens while in the field this fall and – if they find one – to report the location to the DNR to help with an ongoing bear management program.

If you find a bear den in the northern Lower Peninsula, record the location with a GPS unit, if possible, and contact Mark Boersen at 989-275-5151 or BoersenM@Michigan.govwith specific location information.

The DNR is looking for locations of denned bears in the northern Lower Peninsula to grow the surrogate sow program, which places orphaned bear cubs with mother bears. After locating a bear den, DNR wildlife biologists will determine whether the animal is a good candidate to join the program and, if so, will fit the bear with a radio tracking device. Read more

November is Manatee Awareness Month, an important time for boaters to go slow and lookout below to watch for manatees as they travel to warmer water sites around the state.

Manatees depend on water generally warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit to survive the winter, so in the fall they travel to Florida springs, power plant discharges and other warm-water sites.

While manatees are large, they can be difficult to see in the water. That is why it is important to: follow guidelines and follow all manatee protection zones; look out while boating; wear polarized glasses and always give them space. Manatee protection zones are marked by waterway signs and maps of manatee protection zones are available online at MyFWC.com/Manatee by clicking on “Data and Maps.” Read more