Our thanks to NMCN site content contributor Marc Smith and our friends over at the Great Lakes office of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for passing on this link. While the nation continues to ratchet up the gun rights debate and the battle lines appear to be drawn now on the wolf management issue here […]
January 27, 2013
Comments Off on DNR Fisheries Plan Makes Compelling Case for Sustainable Funding
Following up on our post from January 13, 2013, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Division has released its draft five-year Strategic Plan (click here: DNRfisheriesStrategicPlan2013), which is open for public comment until February 10, 2013. As was discussed in our January 13th post, a central theme contained in the draft is the […]
January 21, 2013
Comments Off on Extended Weather Pattern Mixed News for Northern Michigan Forests, Waters and Wildlife
As in the past, we will resist raising the issue of potential reasons for warming temperature trends only to say that regardless of cause, the current trends represent a mixed bag of results for the health of northern Michigan’s forests, waters and wildlife. In a recent article appearing in the Petoskey News by Morgan Sherburne, […]
January 13, 2013
Comments Off on State Fisheries Plan Released – We’re Beginning to $ense a Pattern
The 5-year strategic plan for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division has been released for review and public comment. Since this coincides with the public input periods for the State Forest Management Plan, Comprehensive State Trail Plan, and the completion of the “Blue Ribbon” Parks Plan, we have noticed a recurring theme. As […]
January 10, 2013
Comments Off on NRC Hears Wolf Status Update – Wolf Season Structure Could Be Proposed By Early Summer
Post Courtesy of Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) A presentation during the January meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission outlined a process that could produce recommendations by early summer for a potential wolf season. Public Act 520 of 2012 (Senate Bill 1350) designated wolves as a game species in Michigan when it was signed […]
January 6, 2013
Comments Off on State Trail Plan Comments Sought…and Needed
For those of you who had been wondering what would be required to turn Michigan into the “Trail State,” look no further than the 150+ page draft of the Michigan Comprehensive Trail Plan which has been released for comment. Governor Snyder’s stated goal of making Michigan the “Trail State” was once again referenced in his […]
January 4, 2013
Comments Off on MCCC Bill Seeks to Blend the Old with the New
In a very welcome demonstration of bipartisan support, Governor Snyder recently signed SB-1261-1265 (Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps) into law. As described in a recent blog provided by MUCC’s Drew YoungeDyke, the legislation attempts to improve upon the existing MCCC program by dovetailing it with key provisions of the 2011 Volunteer Bill. The concept behind this […]
December 16, 2012
Comments Off on Let Your Voice Be Heard – DNR Seeks Input on Regional Forest Management Plans
The DNR Forest Resources Division is seeking public comment and input on three draft plans which will serve as the overall guide for the next ten years of forestry compartment planning. The public comment period ends on January 2, 2013 so now is the time to provide your input. For those who feel that such […]
December 13, 2012
Comments Off on NW Michigan Survey Results Support Expanded Deer Antler Point Restrictions
The survey results were announced at Thursday’s December Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting for the possible expansion of antler point restrictions (APR) in the northwest Michigan area. It may be recalled that in 2011, a proposal was submitted to consider establishing a three-point APR in 12 counties in the northwest Lower Peninsula (Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, […]
December 13, 2012
Comments Off on State Legislature Approves Wolf Bill
In an action which is expected to be signed into law by the Governor’s office, a bill designating the wolf as a game animal in Michigan has now cleared its final legislative hurdle. In addition to being added to Michigan’s list of game species, the bill authorizes the Michigan Natural Resources Commission to study and give […]
Northern Michigan Conservation Network 
January 31, 2013
Comments Off on NWF Asian Carp Timeline Map Speaks Volumes