A national exhibit on water is likely to create waves of interest across Michigan now through spring 2019. The Smithsonian’s Water/Ways exhibit, highlighting ways that water intersects with our environment, history, economy and culture, will make stops in six communities. 

The Michigan Water Heritage Project will travel with Water/Ways, adding a Great Lakes focus and sparking conversations about why healthy waters matter. 

The exhibits opened Saturday at the Beaver Island Historical Society, where they'll be hosted through Aug. 5. 

“It's really special to be able to host the Michigan premiere of these exhibits in a community located in the heart of the Great Lakes,” said Lori Taylor-Blitz, director of the Beaver Island Historical Society.  

Other hosting locations include:

• Raven Hill Discovery Center, East Jordan, Aug. 11-Sept. 23.
• Artworks, Big Rapids, Sept. 29-Nov. 11.
• Alcona Public Library, Harrisville, Nov. 17-Dec. 30.
• Niles Public Library, Niles, Jan. 5-Feb. 17.
• Shiawassee Arts Center, Owosso, Feb. 23-April 7. 

The Smithsonian exhibit is supported by the Office of the Great Lakes in partnership with the Michigan Humanities Council, Cranbrook Institute of Science and Michigan State University. The Michigan Water Heritage Project is funded by a grant from the Erb Family Foundation.

Learn more about the exhibits by contacting Rachel Coale with Office of the Great Lakes, 517-290-4295.

In case you missed it, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently approved $1.25 million over five years for the DNR to provide up to 75 percent of funding needed for improvements to partner shooting ranges throughout Michigan. The funds will be used to improve, expand or develop archery and firearm range facilities. 

"With more than 1.2 million target shooters in the state, and continued growth among the women and youth sectors, it's the perfect time to look at ways to enhance our shooting range offerings," said Lori Burford, DNR shooting range specialist. 

Read the full story or contact Lori Burford for more information, 989-600-9114.

Technology often gets a bad rap, but social media growth over the last several years has provided the DNR with plenty of new ways to share, in real time, natural resources programming and outdoor recreation opportunities – especially with nearly 400,000 followers across DNR social channels including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   

A recent Facebook Live video effort in early June, for example, took viewers on board the research vessel Channel Cat for a sturgeon tagging survey on the St. Clair River. 

It was a great opportunity for people to see what fisheries crews do and to hear how the survey helps biologists and managers better understand fish populations and trends. The video was popular with followers and had strong engagement.  

Instagram is another way the DNR connects with people who are out exploring Michigan's great outdoors (like this photo, above, shared by one of our followers @evergreenfitnessgirl). Through this channel we're able to give glimpses inside fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, lush forests and other places, while our followers can quickly capture their own memories and observations, and tag us @michigandnr so other people can enjoy those snapshots, too.

If you want the latest DNR news, Twitter could be your best bet. We put out all kinds of information on this feed, including public meetings, prescribed burns, program and event updates, wildlife and fisheries findings, closures at trails and boating facilities, and more.

Want to learn more? Contact DNR social media coordinator Tyler Czarnopis at czarnopist@michigan.gov.

As the July 4th holiday nears, DNR conservation officers will focus on keeping boaters safe through heightened awareness and enforcement of “boating under the influence” laws.

It’s part of the Operation Dry Water campaign, June 29-July 1, in coordination with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partners. The annual campaign starts before the holiday weekend, when more boaters take to the water and alcohol use increases. 

“The best way to safely enjoy a day on the water is to avoid alcohol,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, Michigan’s boating law administrator. “Using alcohol impairs reaction time, balance and judgment. Please don’t put yourself and others at risk. Be smart and stay sober when boating.”

In Michigan, a person operating a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or having a blood alcohol content of .08 grams or more, can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $500, community service and up to 93 days in jail. It also can result in loss of boating privileges for at least one year.

If a person is killed or injured due to a driver operating a boat while under the influence, the driver could be charged with a felony, punishable by fines up to $10,000 and up to 15 years in prison.