Kick off the new year by getting outside and enjoying the great outdoors in the beauty of a Michigan state park, even during the winter months. State parks offer plenty of opportunities to get off the couch, bundle up and spend time outdoors celebrating the winter season, including guided snowshoe and cross-country skiing events and candlelit trails.

Even if you can't make it to an event, you can still explore parks and trails on your own this winter. Outdoor exercise is a great way to help keep those New Year's fitness resolutions. Dress warmly, and we'll see you on the trails!

The Department of Natural Resources recently announced that 33 communities across the state will share $1,348,700 in Recreation Passport grants. Funding for this program comes from sales of the Recreation Passport.

This year, Recreation Passport grant applicants sought funding for a broad range of public outdoor recreation projects, including playground development and renovations, dog park improvements, ice-skating rink development, trail and walkway development, park and picnic area improvements and improved access for those with disabilities.

Did you know that there are alternative winter camping options at many Michigan state parks? While most people consider camping a three-season activity, state parks offer a number of unique and fun options that don't involve sleeping out in the elements. Lodges, cabins, mini-cabins or yurts give winter campers a warm place to spend the night when there aren't a lot of other campers around.

To make reservations, visit www.midnrreservations.com or call 1-800-44PARKS, though reservations for lodges are made at individual parks.

Grab a pole and take advantage of the first of two Free Fishing Weekends, which will take place Feb. 13-14. Twice a year, families and friends can enjoy two back-to-back days of fishing for FREE!

For many, the annual Free Fishing Weekend has become a fun tradition - a time to take advantage of the finest freshwater fishing in the world and to participate in a number of free special events throughout the state.

All fishing license fees will be waived for residents and non-residents,however, all fishing regulations still apply. The second Free Fishing Weekend will take place June 11-12.

Want to explore "up north" from the comfort of the indoors this winter? The Outdoor Adventure Center, a 40,000-square-foot facility located in downtown Detroit, provides hands-on recreational experiences through a variety of interactive activities, exhibits and simulators. Visitors can walk behind and touch a waterfall, step into a fishing boat and reel in a big fish, hit the trail on a mountain bike or snowmobile and much more.

Visit the OAC and discover all there is to explore in Michigan's outdoors, parks, public lands and waters. The OAC is open Wednesday through Sunday for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Hunters, it's not too early to think about getting back out in the field. Spring turkey season is just around the corner, and the application period is open now through Feb. 1. The 2016 spring turkey season runs April 18 through May 31, with several different hunt periods to choose from.  The Spring Turkey Digest explains regulations, season dates and hunt units.

In Michigan, spring turkey season is a big deal – we're ranked seventh in the nation for turkey harvest, harvesting over 30,000 turkeys while providing a variety of quality hunting options. For more information about spring turkey hunting, watch the DNR's YouTube video or visit www.michigan.gov/turkey.

The DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners are kicking off a year-long celebration of the Migratory Bird Treaty’s 100th anniversary throughout 2016. The treaty is the cornerstone of efforts to conserve birds that migrate across international borders.

Migratory birds connect people with nature and provide environmental and ecological benefits, including pollination, seed dispersal and rodent control. Migratory birds also play a key role in the economy by offering recreational opportunities that create jobs and generate billions of dollars in revenue.

The centennial celebration will include monthly featured bird stories sent to DNR Wildlife email subscribers, celebration events and an educational program.