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Welcome to winter in Michigan's state parks. The parks are quiet as Mother Nature settles in for her annual rest, but the quietness makes it a wonderful time to be in the parks. Surrounded by winter's scenery, an afternoon hike, cross-country ski or snowshoe trek is just the thing to offset a bad case of cabin fever.
 Check out Michigan's Winter Wonderland in a new Pure Michigan video at http://youtu.be/BBocQkz0wQs for ideas on how to make the most of Michigan State Parks this season, then reserve your unique winter getaway in one of our year-round cabins, lodges and yurts by visiting www.midnrreservations or calling (800) 447-2757.
The DNR currently is seeking experienced volunteer program guides for 2013 for its year-round Recreation 101 programs as well as instructors for its new Fresh Air Fitness program set to run between April 15 and Oct. 1.
The settings for the DNR's ongoing Recreation 101 programs are the state parks, recreation areas and boating facilities across the state and consist of free, introductory lessons to acquaint novice outdoor enthusiasts with the skills and knowledge to get them started in a new activity or sport.
Volunteer instructors should have a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share their recreation knowledge and skills. Along with individuals who are proficient in their particular field, ideal guides would be outfitters, retailers or brand representatives who can provide hands-on sample gear for students to try.
Programs such as yoga, Pilates, tai-chi or aquatic fitness can advance to a whole new level when done in natural surroundings. The DNR also is seeking Fresh Air Fitness instructors interested in taking their fitness programs outdoors as well as recreational group leaders willing to organize weekly outings such mountain biking trips or canoe or kayaking trips. The commercial use permit required for Fresh Air Fitness instructors is an annual $50 fee per instructor or organization. The instructor can then charge participants a fee of fair market value or lower.
For more information on the options available for Recreation 101 volunteer instructors or Fresh Air Fitness instructors or to sign up, contact Maia Stephens at 989-225-8573 or email stephensm3@michigan.gov to be connected with a regional recreation programmer who can assist with scheduling and marketing in 2013.
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 This winter, snowmobile and off-road vehicle (ORV) trail riders will notice a reduction in the types of trail markings along the more than 10,000 miles of Michigan's designated motorized trail system. The DNR implemented these changes to improve safety and provide consistent guidance to the more than 90 non-profit organizations that maintain the trails.
Changes include the elimination of 10 workgroup-selected snowmobile signs, the addition of five new snowmobile signs (plus guidelines for placement), and a reduction in the size of regulatory signs in the ORV program to make them consistent with snowmobile signage (already implemented in 2011). The changes also include replacing ORV trail markers with new, highly visible, yellow markers. Installation will be phased in over the next several years.
The following snowmobile trail signs (pictured above)have been removed:
- Bridge Ahead
- Chevron
- Deer Crossing
- Drift Area
- Narrow Bridge
- Narrow Trail
- Trail Crossing
- Truck Traffic
- Two Way Trail
- Winding Trail
New snowmobile trail signs (pictured below) include:
- Combination Horizontal Alignment/Intersection (left and right)
(These bright yellow signs with directional arrows may be used on snowmobile trails to give notice of changes in horizontal trail alignment less than 90 degrees where an intersection occurs within or immediately adjacent to a turn)
- "Private Drives Ahead"
(These signs may be used to warn trail users where driveways cross a snowmobile trail)
- One-Direction Large Arrow (left and right)
(These signs will be used on snowmobile trails to give notice of changes in horizontal trail alignment of 90 degrees or more. One-direction Large Arrow signs are 10 x 20 inches, yellow reflective signs with a black arrow and border)
- "Next (number of) Miles" - supplemental plaque
(These signs may be installed below "Private Drives Ahead" signs to indicate how many miles long the stretch of trail with private drives runs)
- "Trail Closed to Wheeled Motor Vehicles Ahead"
(When used, these signs should be placed on state or federal land prior to the point where a designated state snowmobile trail enters private property where wheeled motorized vehicle use is prohibited).
For more information, click here.
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Two years after the Department of Natural Resources introduced the $10 Recreation Passport as the new way to fund state parks and outdoor recreation opportunities, the DNR announced that, effective Jan. 1, 2013, the purchase price of the Passport will change to $11. The Passport is required for vehicles entering Michigan's state parks, recreation areas and forest campgrounds.
The $1 increase is based on a statutory requirement that was built into the 2010 legislation that created the Recreation Passport that says the purchase price of the Passport must keep pace with inflation.
The Recreation Passport lets Michigan residents explore nearly 400 outdoor recreation destinations in one of the largest and most scenic state park systems in the country and also provides access to a 'free trial' of nearly every recreational pursuit through the DNR's nationally recognized Recreation 101 program.
Another bonus: residents who purchase the Recreation Passport theough the Secretary of State's office when renewing their license plate registrations get immediate access to more than 1,100 local businesses offering discounts on goods and services to Recreation Passport holders. To learn more about the fee increase, click here.
To learn more about the Recreation Passport, how to get it, what you can do with it, and how it benefits Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
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The DNR is teaming with Pure Michigan -- the Michigan Economic Development Corporation -- to provide a new, easily searchable database of businesses participating in the DNR's Passport Perks program.
The database will contain up to date information on some 1,145 statewide and local businesses who partner with the DNR to offer discounts on all types of goods and services ranging from oil changes to tax preparation, restaurants to lodging, sporting goods to beauty salon services, for customers who purchase their annual Recreation Passport while renewing their vehicle registration through the Secretary of State's office and who present their vehicle registration card to participating businesses to receive their discount.
To learn more about Passport Perks or enroll your business as a Perks Provider, visit www.michigan.gov/passportperks.
Be sure to visit the DNR's Twitter page to view the two Morning Perks discounts featured each day, www.twitter.com/michiganDNR.
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