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Here are a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.
PHOTOS: Larger, high-res versions of many of the photos used in this email — Tawas Point aerial, Tawas Point Lighthouse, Future Historians, forest hike and elk — are available in the DNR's online photo collection. Others (Maybury State Park campout, dirt bike rider and DNR volunteer) are available in this folder.
Did you know that the Tawas Point Lighthouse you see today in Iosco County isn’t the original? Built in 1853, the first lighthouse quickly became ineffective when a natural process called accretion — the gradual increase in land area through the accumulation of sediment, soil or other material — extended the point so far out that by the 1870s the structure was more than a mile inland!
To keep up with increased shipping traffic in Tawas Bay, the United States Lighthouse Board broke ground on a new lighthouse in the spring of 1876. Construction was completed that November, and the new lighthouse shined its first light from its new location on the peninsula the following spring.
Now, 150 years later, you’re invited to join the Michigan History Center, the DNR and Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park for a two-day anniversary kickoff celebration, Aug. 7-8. The fun starts noon-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7 — National Lighthouse Day — with yard games, lighthouse crafts, story time with Iosco-Arenac District Library staff and visits with partner organizations. Enjoy snacks and pick up some lighthouse merchandise provided by the friends group. Plus, admission is waived for the day, so you can check out this iconic lighthouse at no cost.
The celebration continues Saturday, Aug. 8, with a free Lee Murdock concert, 7-9 p.m. Bring your picnic blankets, snacks and chairs to listen to the acclaimed Great Lakes musician and enjoy an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling. Drawing inspiration from a boundless collection of Great Lakes history, songs and legends, Murdock brings the Great Lakes’ rich heritage to life through music. Please note: Admission to the lighthouse on Saturday is $5 for adults 18 and up, $2 for youth ages 6-17, and free for those age 5 and under.
Remember, too, that a valid Recreation Passport is needed for vehicle entry to Tawas Point State Park.
Questions? Contact Don La Barre, Tawas Point Lighthouse historian, at 989-590-1554.
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Summer will be gone before we know it, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get outdoors, soak up some sun, sleep under the stars and enjoy Michigan's wealth of natural and cultural resources.
Looking for something to do? Here are a few highlights coming up next month; check out the full slate of outdoor fun at Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar.
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State parks
Michigan’s 103 state parks offer something for everyone, including a variety of unique events. In August, you can:
- Celebrate Saginaw Bay’s conservation heritage with family-friendly activities like a Smokey Bear bounce house, touch-a-truck, building wood duck boxes and duck calling during the Saginaw Bay Waterfowl and Outdoor Festival, Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 1-2, at Bay City State Park in Bay County.
- Experience one of the country’s top-ranked art fairs, the Belle Isle Park Art Fair, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 6-7, in Detroit.
- Explore the beauty and science of dunes on a guided, 90-minute dune interpretation walk at Muskegon State Park in Muskegon County, Fridays, Aug. 7 and 21.
- Enjoy a mini wellness retreat, featuring yoga, forest bathing and meditation, at Port Crescent State Park in Huron County Wednesday, Aug. 12.
- See the Perseid meteor shower during a Star Party at Port Crescent State Park in Huron County Friday, Aug. 14, or Dark Sky Night at Negwegon State Park in Alcona County Saturday, Aug. 15.
- Take part in a Lighthouse Adaptive Kayak Clinic, allowing those of all abilities to try kayaking with the use of adaptive equipment, at Interlochen State Park in Grand Traverse County, Wednesday, Aug. 19.
- Join us Saturday, Aug. 29, at Belle Isle Park in Detroit as we officially try to break the world record for the largest rubber band ball in the world!
Michigan History Center
Many of the Michigan History Center’s 12 museums and historic sites offer fun and educational summer programs. The August calendar includes:
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Battery D Civil War Artillery Encampment at Fort Wilkins in Keweenaw County, Friday-Sunday, July 31-Aug. 2, with artillery demonstrations, small arms drills, period cooking, soldiers’ pastimes and civilian impersonations.
- Future Historians Program at Fort Wilkins in Keweenaw County, Tuesday-Friday, Aug. 4-7 and Aug. 11-14. Leave the present behind and join the historic site’s Future Historians youth as costumed interpreters from the summer of 1870.
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Outdoor Adventure Center
If you’ll be in the Detroit area in August, the Outdoor Adventure Center activity schedule is filled with fun and learning for all ages, including programs especially for seniors, birding, fishing, picnics with dolls and teddy bears, and more. Don’t miss:
Mark your calendars: Residents and out-of-state visitors can legally ride Michigan's 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails, routes and six scramble areas on two back-to-back days, Aug. 15-16, without an ORV license or trail permit.
Free ORV Weekend is a great opportunity to explore the state's designated ORV trails and routes, but remember that all other ORV rules and laws still apply, and the Recreation Passport is required where applicable. You also must provide your own ORV.
Typically, there’s an entrance fee at Holly Oaks ORV Park in Oakland County (although no Recreation Passport requirement), but the fee will be waived for the weekend.
As always, when you enjoy Michigan's outdoors, do your part to help prevent the spread of invasive species by cleaning mud and plant material from your ORV, trailer and gear.
Find places to ride, rules and regulations, ORV events and more at Michigan.gov/ORVinfo. Before you go, review safety and trail etiquette information at Michigan.gov/RideRight and ride home safe to your family and friends.
Heading to Silver Lake ORV Area this summer and fall? Be sure to watch this safe-riding video featuring this special spot that offers a unique and thrilling ride different from traditional ORV trails. This quick video shares critical safety tips you need to know before you navigate the 450-acre scramble area.
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Like what you see?
Consider purchasing an ORV license or trail permit for the season. Fees generated through the sale of ORV licenses and trail permits are reinvested back into the ORV system. These important funds help pay for trail brushing, signage, maintenance, bridge and culvert construction, maintenance of trailhead amenities and other expenditures.
Questions? Contact Jessica Roehrs at 517-331-3790.
Throughout the year, the DNR offers opportunities to help take care of Michigan’s natural and cultural resources. Following are a few ways next month to lend a hand at the places and outdoor spaces you love.
For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.
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Help state parks thrive
The DNR’s Volunteer Stewardship Program provides year-round opportunities to protect and restore high-quality, native ecosystems in state parks. You can make a difference by helping remove invasive plant species threatening those ecosystems — essential work that ensures our state parks thrive for generations.
Volunteer stewardship workdays coming up in August include:
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Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County; persons with disabilities-friendly workday), Saturday, Aug. 1, noon-2 p.m.
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Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County): Sunday, Aug. 2, 10 a.m.-noon.
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Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County): Saturday, Aug. 8, 9-11:30 a.m.
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Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County): Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.-noon.
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Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County): Sunday, Aug. 9, 9-11:30 a.m.
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P.J. Hoffmaster State Park (Muskegon County): Saturday, Aug.15, 10 a.m.-noon.
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Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County): Sunday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-noon.
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Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County): Sunday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-noon.
Tell us what you think about your state forests
Become a conservation steward
Registration is open, through Aug. 9, for the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program, an educational program for adult learners offered by Michigan State University Extension and collaboratively planned with many diverse partner organizations. The program is geared toward those who are enthusiastic about learning science-based ecosystem management principles, getting involved in on-the-ground stewardship efforts, sharing their knowledge and experiences with the public, and empowering others to get engaged in improving their local area.
This year’s program will run from the week of Aug. 24 through the week of Oct. 19, with regional cohorts in the following counties: Berrien; Macomb; Marquette; Muskegon; Osceola, Lake and Mecosta; and Wayne.
From helping campers and studying fish from the depths of Lake Superior to preventing wildfires and connecting people with Michigan's outdoors, the DNR relies on professionals with diverse skills to care for our state's natural resources.
If you or someone you know is a high school or college student interested in a career in natural resources, consider registering for Career Exploration Day, noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit. Participants will meet DNR staff as well as representatives from other agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
You’ll explore the OAC’s exhibits and learn what a career in natural resources is really like from those currently working in the field. You’ll also have time to visit booths, ask questions, discover different career paths and understand the necessary education and experience those jobs require. Preregistration is required, and the cost is $5 per person.
Questions? Contact the Outdoor Adventure Center by email at DNR-OAC@Michigan.gov or call 844-622-6367.
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Napping in the hammock, diving into the latest beach read, tubing down a lazy river — all of these are wonderful ways to spend a summer day. If you’re interested in something a bit more lively, though, the DNR’s Outdoor Skills Academy and Becoming an Outdoors Woman classes and clinics may be just the ticket!
Both the OSA and BOW offer programs covering a variety of topics and a range of experience levels. You’ll enjoy expert instruction, a supportive environment and hands-on learning whether you’re scouting a site, identifying mushrooms, flushing out birds, sighting a gun or discovering many other outdoor skills, tips and tricks.
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See what’s coming up in August and book your spot:
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Bear Hunting Clinic, Aug. 2: This immersive clinic in the scenic and rugged landscapes of Cadillac will give you the essential knowledge and skills for a successful, ethical bear hunt.
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Elk Hunting Clinic, Aug. 9: Come to the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac and learn how to hunt Michigan elk on your own or better understand what to expect if hunting with a guide.
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Beyond BOW Hunter Safety, Aug. 15-16: You can register for either or both sessions — hunter education field day (9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15) or bow hunter education field day (10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16). Classes will be held at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit.
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Wild Mushroom Clinic with Great Lakes Treats, Aug. 16: Join Michigan instructors Jill and Aaron, wild foods experts from Great Lakes Treats, at Cadillac's Mitchell State Park for an immersive, fast-paced and information-packed wild mushroom clinic.
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Beyond BOW Fabulous Fungi and Foraging, Aug. 26: Head to the Gillette Visitor Center in Muskegon and learn about the uses of foraged finds, take a walk in the woods to see what’s in season, and sample some of the provided goods.
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Family Fungi and Foraging, Aug. 29: Join a certified foraging expert at the Gillette Visitor Center to learn all about the basics of safe foraging practices.
Check the calendar for September and October offerings, including a waterfowl hunting clinic, a trapping clinic and a Women on Target instructional shooting clinic.
Questions? For more on the Outdoor Skills Academy, contact Ed Shaw at 231-429-8809. For more on the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, email DNRBOW@Michigan.gov.
 See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Brooke Ley, for the Michigan DNR, at Grand Haven State Park in Ottawa County.)
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