Educators of all types will head to Eastern Michigan University, in Ypsilanti, next month for the state’s premier environmental education conference. It takes place Oct. 1-3, a full weekend of workshops, field trips and breakout classes aimed at inspiring teachers, Scout leaders, and staff and volunteers from zoos and nature centers to consider creative, new ways of connecting with students and visitors.

DNR-inspired sessions include:

• A field trip to Waterloo Recreation Area, the Lower Peninsula’s largest state park.
• A Project Wild workshop to train teachers on using wildlife management concepts in the classroom.
• An opportunity to explore virtual learning, built around the DNR’s successful Nature at School program.

Hosted by the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education, the conference is still accepting registrations. Learn more at MAEOE.com.

Questions? Contact Kevin Frailey at 517-974-7941.

With deer hunting seasons getting underway around the state next month, many hunters are setting up tree stands now, during Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month.

When using a tree stand or an elevated platform during a hunt, keep these tips in mind:

• Wear a full-body harness that is properly attached above your head.
• Always maintain three points of contact when climbing up to or down from the stand.
• Ensure your tree stand is securely attached and stable before using it.

Watch this short video about tree stand safety for more good ideas.

Tree stands placed on public land must have the owner’s name, address, and Michigan driver’s license number or DNR sportcard number placed on them –information that should be legible from the ground. Tree stands left unoccupied on public land may be used by anyone. 

During every hunt, make safety your top priority. Need a refresher? The DNR's hunter education program teaches tree stand safety, firearm handling, first aid and other important skills. Visit Michigan.gov/HunterEducation to locate a hunter safety course in your area. 

Questions? Contact Lt. Tom Wanless at WanlessT@Michigan.gov.

Enjoy Michigan's abundant small game hunting opportunities this fall, all with your base license.  

Spend some time in the woods searching for gray and fox squirrels and maybe scout out a spot for deer hunting later this fall. Squirrel (fox and gray), rabbit, hare and ruffed grouse hunting all open Sept. 15.

New this year, woodcock season also begins Sept. 15. In addition to your small game license, you'll need to have a free woodcock stamp, which includes your Harvest Information Program registration.

More information on small game hunting opportunities in Michigan can be found at Michigan.gov/SmallGame. Check the 2021 Hunting Digest, available at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests, for season dates, bag limits and other regulations.

For a place to hunt, check out Michigan.gov/MIHunt. MI-HUNT is an interactive map that shows lands open to public hunting throughout the state. Michigan's grouse enhanced management sites (GEMS) sites are great places for grouse and other small game hunting. Learn about these premier bird hunting locations at Michigan.gov/GEMS.

Fall turkey hunting also starts Sept. 15, and even if you didn't enter the drawing for a limited-quota license, you still could snag a turkey tag. Leftover fall turkey licenses will be sold until quotas are met, and hunters may purchase up to one license a day. Hunters may harvest one turkey per license. Check leftover turkey license availability and find additional fall turkey hunting information at Michigan.gov/Turkey.

Still need to get your 2021 base license? Buy online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or anywhere DNR licenses are sold.

Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.

Several fisheries orders, a land use order regarding beach access, introduction of DNR Wildlife Division Chief Jared Duquette and several land transactions are just some of the agenda items for the next meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 16.

The meeting will start at 9 a.m. at the MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 4125 Beaumont Road, in Lansing. (Please note that masks are required indoors for all people entering MSU facilities. For more information, visit MSU.edu/Together-We-Will.)

See the meeting's full draft agenda at Michigan.gov/NRC. For more information or to request time to speak at the meeting, contact Su Schrauger at 517-284-6237 or NRC@Michigan.gov.