If you’re planning a spring break trip to a warmer destination and intend to rent a personal watercraft (such as a Jet Ski) while there, don’t forget to take a copy of your Michigan boating safety certificate.

Safety certificates are proof that you’ve completed a program meant to teach the fundamentals of safety for your chosen activity. Many states require this documentation before allowing you to rent and/or operate a boat or personal watercraft. Misplaced your certificate? No worries — you can request a duplicate.

In Michigan, people born before July 1, 1996, may legally operate a boat without restrictions. Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may legally operate a motorized boat over 6 horsepower only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it in their possession. Anyone born on or after Dec. 31, 1978, must have a boating safety certificate to legally operate a personal watercraft.

If you need a safety certificate, you can take recreational safety education courses online from the comfort of your home and at your own pace. Learn more at Michigan.gov/RecreationalSafety.

Questions? Email DNR-LED-RecSafety@Michigan.gov.

In this month's episode of the award-winning "Wildtalk" podcast, guest host Caleb Eckloff, a wildlife technician who works out of the DNR’s Marquette office, joins show co-host Eric Hilliard for conversation with true U.P. flavor.

Eckloff and Hilliard discuss:

• The Commercial Forest program, in which private landowners who manage their forests for timber production can enroll to reduce their taxes in exchange for opening up their land to hunters, trappers and anglers. Michigan is home to roughly 2.2 million acres of CF-enrolled land; most of that is concentrated in the Upper Peninsula, including Alger, Delta, Marquette and Schoolcraft counties, though Commercial Forest land is found in all 15 U.P. counties.
• The process of setting waterfowl hunting regulations, including the long history of that work, the resulting conservation success stories tied to several species, and the regional, national and international considerations that come with making decisions affecting migratory birds.
• The latest chapter in the U.P. moose-collaring project. Hear from someone who was on the ground for the planning and rollout of the effort to safely capture and collar several dozen moose to gather additional data on moose movement and population trends.

Want to hear more? Visit Michigan.gov/DNRWildtalk for the March episode, as well as show notes and links to past episodes.

Questions about the podcast? Email DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission will meet Wednesday, March 11, in Lansing. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will livestream the meeting.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Michigan Room, first floor, on the Downtown Campus of Lansing Community College, 600 N. Grand Ave., in Lansing.

The day includes an overview of the DNR fiscal year 2027 budget and DNR Forest Resources Division; updates on the proposed sale of Consumers Energy’s 13 hydro dams to Confluence Hydro, deer baiting considerations, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, elk regulations and migratory game bird regulations; presentation of the DNR Wildlife Division annual report; recognitions of former NRC chairman Tom Baird and the Allegan State Game Area Land Project Team; several land transactions; and a legislative update.

See the draft meeting agenda, livestream participation details and upcoming 2026 meeting dates at Michigan.gov/NRC.

For more information about Wednesday's meeting, email NRC@Michigan.gov.

Michiganders know spring is one of the best times for birding! Early-season migrating species are hunkering down to make and raise their families, while other birds are dotting the skies with brilliant colors as they scout for nesting places. 

Whether you're a veteran birding enthusiast or brand new to this popular pastime, you're in good company: A recent Audubon article cites a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report that shows the U.S. is home to an estimated 96 million birders in the United States — more than a third of U.S. adults!

Everyone can take advantage of the DNR's Winged Wednesday texts that provide updates on birds being spotted in state parks, state wildlife areas and other places around the state. A new bird and new park are highlighted each week, an easy encouragement to help birders build meaningful connections to this lifelong pursuit. 

Maia Turek, engagement and innovations specialist for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said more than 5,000 people currently are subscribed to receive the text messages each Wednesday. 

"The program actually started with the intent of getting seniors out of their homes post-COVID for 30 minutes a day to help prevent isolation, which was a secondary pandemic at the time," Turek said. "Now, Winged Wednesday texts are really for anybody who’s interested in finding new places to explore birds doing amazing bird things."

Ready to get started? Text BIRD to 51555 or sign up online for Winged Wednesday weekly text updates. Learn more at Michigan.gov/Birding.

Questions? Contact Maia Turek at 989-225-8573.