Join Mann House, one of the 12 museums and historic sites of the DNR's Michigan History Center, for its annual Women's History Conference Thursday, Sept. 8, in the village of Concord, located in Jackson County.

Each year, the conference takes a deep dive into a topic that connects with the lives of sisters Mary Ida and Jessie Mann: independent, self-sufficient, forward-thinking women of the 19th and 20th centuries.

This year’s conference, "Glory Halleluiah: Women Shaping Faith," focuses on the role of faith in the lives of the Mann sisters and other women in their small rural community. The daylong conference includes keynote speaker Elona Street-Stewart, co-moderator, 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America; histories of Concord’s local churches, with a focus on the role of women members; and tours of Concord’s historic churches.

Tickets are $40 each, and registration closes Sept. 2. For more info, contact Michigan History Center historian Laurie Perkins at 517-930-3806.

September is International Underground Railroad Month – that means it’s time for the fifth annual Heritage Gathering in Lansing.

The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission and the DNR’s Michigan History Center have put the finishing touches on the 2022 Heritage Gathering, including a daylong, in-person conference and a series of short, virtual programs throughout the month of September.

The in-person conference takes place at the Michigan History Center in downtown Lansing Saturday, Sept. 17, and features national speakers – like author Anna-Lisa Cox – and discussions on black farming settlements, the significance of the year 1862, Underground Railroad tourism and researching at the Archives of Michigan.

The virtual programs take place via Zoom at 7 p.m. Sept. 1, 8 and 22, with each program offering a unique discussion from descendants of freedom-seekers. Tickets for the in-person conference are $12 and include lunch; the virtual programs are free, but registration is required.

Get all the Heritage Gathering event details, including registration links, at Michigan.gov/FreedomTrail.

Fall is on the way – that means youth and archery deer hunting, trapping and waterfowl seasons are quickly approaching. Don’t wait for opening day; register now for a hunter safety education course or a field day.

These courses are available in either a traditional classroom setting, online or take-home program. The online and take-home programs are great for busy hunters who want to learn, but need a flexible schedule to complete the course at their own pace, followed by a single-session field day.

“We encourage interested hunters to check the website daily, as new classes continue to be added,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, DNR recreational safety, education and enforcement officer. “Keep in mind that the closest class or field day might be located outside your county or postal code.”

Participants completing the online or take-home program must preregister for a field day.

Interested in sharing your hunting knowledge? Consider becoming a volunteer hunter education instructor.

Learn more about hunter safety education and volunteering as a hunter education instructor or search for classes at Michigan.gov/RecreationalSafety.

End the summer boating season in style by wearing your life jacket! This is the last weekend conservation officers will pass out McDonald's frozen beverage vouchers to youth boaters spotted wearing their life jacket.

“Partnering with McDonald’s of Michigan is a fun way to bring attention to the importance of wearing a life jacket,” said Lt. Tom Wanless, state boating law administrator. “Wearing a life jacket is the easiest way to be prepared for an boating accident.”

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that during 2021, drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities, and that 83% of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Boating safety is more than wearing a life jacket. Always check your boat before going out on the water, leave a float plan with someone staying on shore, ride with an operator who has an approved boater safety certificate and boat sober.

For more tips, visit the boating safety page. Get your boating safety certificate, check closures and find boat launches at Michigan.gov/Boating.

Questions? Contact Katie Gervasi at 517-290-0679

For many, the term “riding” soon will take on a whole new meaning at Silver Lake State Park.

This fall marks the first official shoreline riding season, when horseback riders will have the unique opportunity to ride the Lake Michigan shoreline at one of Michigan’s most unique state parks.

Silver Lake State Park is best known for its popular 450-acre off-road vehicle area in Oceana County. Each summer, thousands of motorcycles, quads, four-wheelers and other ORVs descend on this popular destination – which also happens to be the only sand dune riding opportunity east of the Mississippi River.

The shoreline riding season runs Nov. 1-30, and registration is open now. The registration fee is $10 per horse per day, and 100 slots are available each day.

For the past three years, the DNR has been working hand in hand with the Michigan Horse Council and Equine Trails Subcommittee to explore shoreline riding opportunities along Michigan's Great Lakes. A two-week pilot, held last fall at the park, helped the DNR determine that a seasonal riding opportunity was feasible and of interest to horseback riders.

“Just as the ORV season ends Oct. 31, shoreline horseback riding season kicks off,” said Jody Johnston, Silver Lake State Park manager. “This is such an incredible opportunity to expand outdoor recreation at Silver Lake.”

A predetermined riding route has been established. Horses are not allowed in the dunes.

Visit Michigan.gov/Equestrian to find the registration link, learn more about the shoreline riding program and find other horseback riding information.

For more information, contact Jody Johnston at 231-721-5858.

A friendly reminder to off-road vehicle operators to keep it safe while riding this holiday weekend and into the colder seasons.

“Conservation officers see an increase in riders during holidays and on the weekends. Please keep the extra traffic in mind when you’re taking a turn and going over a hill,” said the DNR's Cpl. Mike Hearn. “ORV accidents often happen when people get caught up in the moment of riding and keep increasing their speed, aren’t familiar with the terrain or their machines capabilities, or take a turn, hill or jump too fast without knowing what’s on the other side.”

Speed and rider inexperience are the primary contributing factors for ORV accidents, serious injuries and death. Make sure to Ride Right and keep these tips in mind:

• Ride on the right side of the trail.
• Keep lights on when riding.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Ride sober.
• Understand and operate within the limits of your ORV and your own capabilities and experience.

For more ORV safety and trail etiquette information, go to Michigan.gov/RideRight. Find places to ride, rules and regulations, ORV events and more at Michigan.gov/ORVinfo. Questions? Email Cpl. Mike Hearn.