The newest episode of the DNR Wildlife Division's "Wildtalk" podcast is now available. The March show covers Michigan’s largest carnivore, the black bear, and does a deep dive on the American woodcock, a peculiar little ground-nesting bird with lots of charisma and some unique physical adaptations.

James Miller, a DNR wildlife biologist based in southwest Michigan, stops by to talk about spring infrastructure projects such as maintenance of the dike systems and water control structures at Maple River State Game Area, habitat work at Allegan State Game Area to support the Karner blue butterfly and prescribed burn planning for several locations.

DNR wildlife biologist Pete Kailing also drops in with an overview of hunting and trapping opportunities, plus a nod to filmdom’s famed mountain man, Jeremiah Johnson.

Visit the "Wildtalk" webpage for the March episode, as well as show notes and links to past episodes. Questions about the podcast? Email DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov.

Jenilee Dean, of Northeast Michigan Forestry, picked up the 2024 Stewardship Forester Award from the Michigan Association of Consulting Foresters, an honor bestowed because of Dean’s exceptional service to customers in reaching their forest management goals.

The Stewardship Forester Award, given at the association’s annual meeting in February, recognizes private sector foresters who serve Michigan’s 400,000 family forest landowners.

Dean studied biology at the University of Michigan and gained forestry experience on the job. She traveled around Michigan and the eastern United States doing seedling surveys and other forest measurements for large government and corporate landowners. A few years ago, she started her own company, Northeast Michigan Forestry LLC.

Dean said she appreciates the flexible schedule that a career in consulting forestry provides. As a business owner, she gets to take her three daughters to the woods with her in the summer. They love spending time outdoors with their mom as she helps landowners take good care of their forests.

Dean has written more than 100 forest management plans over the last 15 years, covering thousands of acres in Alcona, Alpena and Iosco counties. Her clients use their plans to achieve goals like planting trees or harvesting timber to improve wildlife habitat.

“I really enjoy chatting with landowners and hearing about the history of their property and educating them about forestry,” said Dean. “I am beyond blessed to call the forest my office.”

Dean has numerous credentials to document her professional forestry skills and help landowners enroll in various forestry programs. She is a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters, a Michigan Registered Forester, a Technical Service Provider, a Qualified Forester, a DNR timber cruiser and a qualified specialist to identify and treat oak wilt disease. If you own forest land, a consulting forester like Dean can help you manage, protect and enjoy your forest.

Dennis McDougall with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service appreciates Dean’s great work.

“Relationships between foresters and landowners are at the heart of successful private forest management,” he said. “By listening to the landowner’s vision for their property, the forester develops a unique management plan designed to achieve that vision. Foresters like Jenilee help landowners understand and navigate timber markets and government programs to make sound decisions about their land.”

The Forest Stewardship Program is funded by the Forest Service and administered by the DNR. All partners are equal opportunity providers and employers. For more information, contact Mike Smalligan at 517-449-5666.

Suffering football withdrawal and need a little Lions love? Catch the next episode of “Wardens” – the Outdoor Channel's weekly show that tells the story of dedicated DNR conservation officers and other staff members, and the work they do to protect and conserve Michigan's natural resources.

This week's show – here’s a teaser video – airs Friday and takes you behind the scenes of a charity skeet shoot hosted by Detroit Lions favorite Frank Ragnow at the DNR’s Bald Mountain Shooting Range, as well as a CO who handles separate encounters with two hunters in violation on the same road during the firearm deer season opener.

To get the Outdoor Channel, ask your local TV service provider or go to outdoorchannel.com, myoutdoortv.com or Amazon Prime Video, or call 855-44-OUTDOOR. More than 78 episodes of "Wardens" have featured Michigan and tallied over 36 million viewers!

Episodes air on the Outdoor Channel every Friday at 9 p.m. Previous episodes air on FOX UP/WLUC-TV6 every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The show also is available under the title "Wardens of the North" or "Michigan Wardens" on Animal Planet.

Questions? Contact Dave Haupt at 517-420-0819.