Michigan’s long tradition of deer hunting and wildlife management can come to your classroom this fall. DNR’s Wildlife Division has prepared an education packet that teaches across the curriculum and highlights the whitetail deer. Teachers can sign up online before November 10, 2016. Go to online registration to fill out the form.

The recent state conference of the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) recognized several Michigan educators, including two Michigan DNR employees. The annual event, which was held at the Kellogg Biological Station near Battle Creek, awarded the following honors:

The Michigan DNR will celebrate its 10th year of the Academy of Natural Resources (ANR), July 9-14, 2017 at the DNR Conference Center on Higgins Lake. Three courses will be offered, including DNR’s core class, Forests, Fields and Fins. In addition, back by popular demand, is WEE Ones, which focuses an entire week on early elementary education and connections to nature. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will also bring its Michigan-based MEECS materials to the Academy. This is your only opportunity to be certified in all seven environmental lesson plan guides including Climate Change, Energy Resources, Water Quality and several other themes and topics. For more information or to register, go to DNR - 2017 Academy of Natural Resources.

Wheels to Woods, which last year granted more than $33,000 in field trip transportation grants, is taking applications for the 2016/17 school year. Last year, more than 7,000 Michigan students participating in 93 field trips benefited from this program, sponsored by the Michigan DNR, Michigan Tree Farm Committee, United States Forest Service, American Forest Foundation, Society of American Foresters and a bevy of other contributors. For more information go to School Forests.

Downtown Traverse City has been abuzz for the past several weeks as hundreds of school children traveled to the area for educational field trips connected to the natural phenomena of the salmon spawning run. DNR fisheries and education staff taught students and teachers the incredible life cycle of the Chinook and Coho salmon that made their way up the Boardman River from Grand Traverse Bay. The Boardman River Weir, located right in downtown Traverse City, is a tremendous place to watch this spectacle each year. The DNR also places education staff at the Manistee Weir for the schools that schedule tours there. The ultimate field trip! Mark your calendars for next fall. For more information, contact Ed Shaw at shawe@michigan.gov.