Fall is one of the best times to get involved in the DNR Wildlife Division – and one of the busiest.

In the lead-up to popular hunting seasons, the department hires seasonal employees to work at various locations throughout the state, including DNR field offices, customer service centers and state game areas. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the DNR Wildlife Division, help answer questions from the public or spend some time outdoors, this could be the job for you!

These positions involve duties such as conducting drawings for waterfowl hunting areas, entering database information, assisting the public with questions, as well as chronic wasting disease surveillance.

These jobs are perfect for college students, those looking to reenter the workforce and seniors or retirees interested in getting more involved in the outdoors.

Get more details on these seasonal wildlife job opportunities by visiting Michigan.gov/DNRJobs and looking for the seasonal wildlife positions section. 

The application period is open through Aug. 14.

Questions? Contact Jen Schafer at 517-648-8290.

Every two years, the Michigan Inland Lakes Convention brings together passionate lakefront property owners, lake scientists, policy makers and conservationists to spark new ideas and inspire stewardship of inland lakes. This year’s convention, centered on the theme “Protecting Lakes Today for Tomorrow,” will take place via Zoom Sept. 14-16.

The three-day virtual event will include more than 45 presentations and workshops designed to engage, educate and empower. Participants can choose from a variety of concurrent sessions focused on specific issues such as fisheries management, landscaping near shorelines, lake protection and governance, algal blooms, native freshwater mussels, communications, policy, invasive species, lake restoration and much more. Wednesday and Thursday will also include keynote speakers regionally recognized for their contributions to the field of lake science and conservation. 

Registration is $60 and includes three days of virtual workshops, presentations and networking opportunities. Student registration is $15. A complete agenda is available on the convention website. Sign up today to save your spot!

Registration closes Sept. 11.

Questions? Contact Joe Nohner at 517-599-6825 or Christina Baugher at 517-582-3245.

If you enjoy riding off-road vehicles on Michigan’s forest roads, you can help the DNR shape the 2023 forest road maps. Submit comments by Aug. 31. 

To make sure people know which forest roads are open or closed to public use, the DNR annually updates online maps on April 1 as part of its review process. This annual update helps the DNR keep its forest road inventory accurate and meet requirements outlined in Public Act 288 of 2016.

Comments on forest road maps may be submitted at any time. Feedback received by Aug. 31 will be considered when developing the 2023 maps.

Updates may include decisions to open or close a road to ORV or conventional vehicle traffic, or to update a road’s status. These decisions are typically made to protect damaged natural resources, ensure public safety due to road conditions or fix data errors in maps.

About 11,700 miles of forest roads currently are open to the public. View the status of forest roads and submit comments on an interactive map at Michigan.gov/ForestRoads, or email comments to DNR-RoadInventoryProject@Michigan.gov.

Questions? Contact Jason Caron at 906-235-4361.