DNR Get Involved: input on state forests, free camping for volunteering, more

Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 10/03/2019 08:40 AM EDT

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DNR Get Involved - October 2019

panoramic view of forest in peak fall color

Here are a few ways to get involved in taking care of Michigan’s natural resources this month. For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers. 

Offer feedback on forest management plans at open house events

truck picking up cut logs

The DNR plans prescribed burns, timber harvests and tree thinning to help keep Michigan’s 4 million acres of state forest land healthy and to provide wildlife habitat.

Plans for management activities are finalized two years in advance after public input is gathered in the regional management unit. This fall, recommendations for 2021 are being presented at open houses across northern Michigan. People can talk to foresters, wildlife biologists and other DNR professionals regarding plans within the management units.

Open houses coming up during October include:

  • Crystal Falls Management Unit: 3-6 p.m. CDT Oct. 3, at the Crystal Falls Field Office, 1420 U.S. 2 West, Crystal Falls.
  • Grayling Management Unit: 12:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 8, at the Grayling Field Office, 1955 Hartwick Pines Road, Grayling.
  • Newberry Management Unit: 3-6 p.m. Oct. 15, at the Newberry Field Office, 5666 M-123 South, Newberry.

See a full open house schedule.

About a month after each open house, a public compartment review meeting also will take place. That’s where foresters present their final decisions on management activities. Upcoming compartment review meetings include:

  • Gwinn Management Unit: 9:30 a.m. Oct. 9 at Northern Michigan University’s University Center, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette.
  • Shingleton Management Unit: 9 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Shingleton Field Office, E1234 M-28, Shingleton.
  • Crystal Falls Management Unit: 8 a.m. CDT Oct. 17 at the Crystal Falls Field Office, 1420 U.S. 2 West, Crystal Falls.
  • Grayling Management Unit: 9 a.m. Oct. 21 at the Grayling Field Office, 1955 Hartwick Pines Road, Grayling.
  • Newberry Management Unit: 9 a.m. Oct. 29 at the Newberry Correctional Facility training room, 3001 Newberry Ave., Newberry.

See a full compartment review schedule.

For more information, including a link to the interactive forest map showing details of all forest management activities, visit the public input section of the DNR’s Michigan.gov/Forestry webpage.

Volunteer at Mears State Park Oct. 5, camp free

Come help the staff at Mears State Park in Pentwater prepare the park for the off-season – remove benches and tables, put up snow fence, paint park buildings and other activities – during Fall Volunteer Weekend Oct. 5-6. Free camping is offered to volunteers who help out Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hunters, help Michigan families in need

If you’re a hunter, consider donating to Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger to help feed families in your community. Each donated deer provides more than 125 meals. To donate a deer, find a participating processor near you, or you can make a monetary donation when you purchase your license.