July 1-7 is Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in Michigan.

The highlight of the week is the fifth annual AIS Landing Blitz, an outreach event held June 30-July 8 at more than 80 boat launches around the state. Landing Blitz volunteers will demonstrate how boaters can help prevent the spread of invasive species.

For more information about Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, the Landing Blitz and how boaters and others can help protect Michigan’s land and water resources against the threat of invasive species, visit michigan.gov/invasives.

We’ll be celebrating the wonders of Michigan mammals with a week of fun, educational family programs in more than 40 state parks. Michigan Mammals Week, July 9-15, will feature mammal hikes, animal-tracking programs, games and much more. This year, some programs will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the reintroduction of elk into Michigan.

Find a Michigan Mammals Week program near you.

Throughout the summer, state parks host a variety of nature programs featuring each location’s rich and varied natural resources. You can find current information about these programs at michigan.gov/natureprograms. 

Registration is now open for the Michigan Iron Industry Museum's popular Iron Ore Heritage Trail bike tours. Offered July 13, 20, and 27, the tours take cyclists on an approximately five-hour, 16-mile journey to explore historic sites and discover stories of the Marquette Iron Range.

Tours begin and end in Negaunee at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum, site of the Carp River Forge, where iron mined on the Marquette Range was first forged in the 1840s. Led by museum historian Troy Henderson, the tour pedals to the Jackson Mine, and then continues into Ishpeming, making several stops along the way, including Old Towne Negaunee and the site of the Pioneer Furnace.

Details and registration information are available on the Michigan Iron Industry Museum webpage at michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.

Experience “up north, downtown” at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit, with a variety of fun programs for the whole family in July.

Join us for a hike or outdoor games, find out more about Michigan mammals and birds of prey, and much more. Help us celebrate the OAC’s third birthday July 21, and learn about plants and pollinators July 8 or about how you can help monarch butterflies July 22.

And don’t miss our Wild Game Night – including introductory archery instruction, a wild game cooking demonstration and delicious appetizer tasting – July 27.

Check out the Outdoor Adventure Center events calendar for a full schedule.

Before peanuts, Cracker Jacks, mega-stadiums and million-dollar player salaries, there was the polite game of “base ball.” Popular in the mid-19th century, it was a gentleman’s sport with no mitts, no sliding and absolutely no swearing. "Base ball" evolved into today's modern baseball, but the old-style game has a dedicated following.

At Cambridge Junction Historic State Park in Brooklyn, the Walker Tavern Wheels have been playing vintage base ball for nearly a decade. They are hosting a special day-long invitational Saturday, July 14, with the Saginaw Old Golds, Detroit Early Risers and Canton Cornshuckers. Fans and curious spectators are invited to enjoy some – or all – of the tournament.

For more information on the Walker Tavern Wheels, see their home game schedule on the Michigan History Center’s Cambridge Junction Historic State Park webpage. 

While you're visiting, check out other nearby outdoor destinations. Cambridge Junction and two other state parks are within just 5 miles of each other. Watch our video and learn about all three state parks in the heart of the Irish Hills. 

Do you know kids who love to go fishing but hate waiting to see if their mom, dad or another adult wants to go? Kids can plan the next fishing trip themselves by gathering the gear, finding a place to fish and asking an adult to go with them. 

One easy way to locate a spot nearby is searching through the Family Friendly Fishing Waters webpage. 

Families also can learn how to fish with the Hook, Line and Sinker program offered around the state.

Or start planning now to head out Saturday, Aug. 4 – the second annual Take an Adult Fishing Day in Michigan. 

Learn the ins and outs of photographing birds with an upcoming workshop at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park’s Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center in Muskegon Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18 and 19.

Taught by Tom Haxby, an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer from Michigan, this class will cover effective use of equipment, photography techniques and an introduction of raw processing. Saturday afternoon will be spent in the park, practicing skills, and there will be an optional Sunday-morning session for those wanting more one-on-one help.

Cost is $125, which includes lunch Saturday and all workshop materials. Register for the workshop.

This class is part of the Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Skills Academy.