Looking for a chance to hone your teaching skills? Sign up for the DNR Academy of Natural Resources this summer. It's a chance to spend a week with biologists, foresters, conservation officers and other natural resource professionals and learn new ways to bring that expertise and knowledge to the classroom. The summer of 2024 looks like another popular year. 

“One session is already full, and all the others are close, so register soon,” said Kevin Frailey, DNR’s Education Services manager and creator of the program. “ANR is very popular with both formal and nonformal educators who want to learn how we manage their resources and how to bring elements of that back to the classroom or other venues like nature centers or zoos.”

ANR Classic (July 7-12)

Hosted at the DNR's Ralph A. MacMullan Center on Higgins Lake, ANR Classic is available for up to 60 educators in three courses. The cost is only $295 for five nights' lodging and 15 meals. Safari Club International – Novi has donated more than $100,000 to teachers’ scholarships for the past dozen years to keep the cost low.

Forests, Fields and Fins gives educators an opportunity to be a conservation officer for a day as well as a wildlife biologist, forester and fisheries biologist. Each day, participants learn how these professionals protect, enhance and manage our natural resources. 

Into the WILD is an outdoor education experience including archery, paddle sports, survival and land navigation.

“A new twist in 2024 will allow educators to test themselves on a final 'survival’ mission which will include locating an injured hiker, monitoring their injuries, building a fire and much more,” said Tom Kelly, who teaches a majority of the course.  

ANR North (Aug. 4-9)

Head to the Ford Center in the western Upper Peninsula. “Our northern program is like grad school” said Frailey. “Smaller, more field work and even more focus on a natural resource.”

The Forest Frenzy course gives an amazing overview of trees, forests and management. Tree identification and cruising timber are part of the program, along with other field trips unique to the U.P.  ANR North is only $350 with the scholarship. 

To find information on scholarships, the program and registration, visit Michigan.gov/ANR. 

Questions? Contact Kevin Frailey at 517-231-9046.

Want to experience Michigan’s natural and cultural resources this month? Here’s just a sampling – see the full events calendar at Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar. 

Fish, ride off-road, visit state parks for free  

Twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premier outdoor activities, Michigan fishing, for free! During the summer Free Fishing Weekend, June 8-9, all fishing license fees are waived for residents and out-of-state visitors fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations still apply. 

The summer Free Fishing Weekend is held in conjunction with "Three Free" weekend, when you can also ride off-road trails and visit state parks and DNR-managed boating access sites free of charge. All weekend long, a Recreation Passport will not be required for vehicle entry into state parks and boating access sites, and residents and visitors can legally ride Michigan's 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails and routes and the state’s six scramble areas without an ORV license or trail permit. All other ORV rules and laws still apply. 

Learn more this fun-filled weekend at Michigan.gov/FreeFishing.

Try fly fishing, wilderness survival 

This month’s Outdoor Skills Academy schedule features the June 22-23 Fly Fishing Clinic – a class for beginners including demonstrations and instruction for various fly casts and instruction in fly selection based on target species – and the June 28-30 Bushcraft, Survival and Wild Edibles Clinic. This unique, three-day class will teach the basics of what you need to survive in the event you find yourself stranded outdoors. You’ll learn to navigate with tools like a map and compass, as well as some wilderness first aid, ones you can gather to eat and which plants to avoid, how to safely start a fire without matches, how to shoot a bow and much more. 

Both classes will take place at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac, and both will be offered again in July. Find a full list of upcoming classes at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills. 

Enjoy outdoor reading, root beer, music and more – with a Michigan history flavor 

 The Michigan History Center’s sites will offer some fun ways to get a taste of state history while getting outdoors this month. During Reading and Root Beer Floats, June 12 at the Mann House in Jackson County, you can read a book in the shade on the lawn of this Victorian-era home and get a free root beer float. Enjoy an evening concert with musician Bob Bransky – who performs a mix of early American, folk, acoustic rock/pop, gospel and original compositions with vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica and Appalachian dulcimer – June 13 at Cambridge Junction Historic State Park in Lenawee County. 

Sundays through September, check out the farmers market at Cambridge Junction, with vendors selling products including produce, plants, baked goods and, of course, Walker Tavern Root Beer. While there, explore the park and historic buildings. 

Keep an eye on the Michigan History Center events calendar for other upcoming programs. 

Explore the outdoors and more with the Outdoor Adventure Center 

 The June calendar at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is packed with ways for everyone from preschoolers to retirees to connect with Michigan’s natural and cultural resources. Check out the OAC activity schedule for a full list – including fishing, archery and birding programs, nature exploration for kids, experiences for seniors, outdoor games and more.  

A few highlights include a Juneteenth walking tour, exploring Detroit’s Underground Railroad history, June 6; Yoga and Mindfulness in Nature, at Belle Isle Perk June 18 and Milliken State Park June 27; and the chance to make a pollinator hotel to help native pollinator species around your home during the June 28 Grown-up Gatherings event.

Plant trees with MUCC On the Ground  

Join Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ On the Ground volunteer program in partnership with the DNR to plant trees in Luce County’s Newberry Forest Management Unit. Volunteers are needed Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A mix of red oaks and apple trees will be planted and fenced to improve availability of food for wildlife including white-tailed deer and upland game birds. The Silver Creek Birding Trail runs along the project site, for volunteers who want to check it out after the planting. Lunch, a volunteer T-shirt and insect head nets will be provided to all registered volunteers. 

Get more details and register for the Newberry tree planting event.

Tell us about state forests

Prescribed burns, timber harvests and other activities are carefully planned to keep Michigan’s nearly 4 million acres of state forest thriving. Plans for these activities are currently being made for 2026, but public input is welcome now. Find out what activities are planned and how to offer your input at Michigan.gov/ForestInput. You can submit online comments during designated 30-day periods or attend an open house or compartment review meeting, where plans are finalized. See all scheduled comment periods, open houses and compartment review meetings for the 2024 season. 

For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.