Can you help?

DNR seeks public's help monitoring moose

Michigan Department of Natural Resources asks those who live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or those who are just visiting, to share any moose sightings through the Moose Observation Report form, now available online.

The DNR has been monitoring Michigan's moose population since the species’ reintroduction to the state in the 1980s. To estimate the population status of Michigan moose, the DNR conducts aerial surveys across the core moose range in the western Upper Peninsula. When determining the aerial survey sample area, observation reports are important resources that help to identify where resident moose occur.

“Observation reports give insight to where resident moose are being seen in the U.P., allowing us to assess the distribution prior to conducting the aerial survey,” said Chad Stewart, deer, elk and moose management specialist for the DNR. “The survey is an important tool that provides an abundance estimate of moose in Michigan. Using the observation reports helps us tailor our survey to account for any distribution changes that may have occurred over the past couple of years so we can get the most accurate estimate of our moose population.”

Citizen participation is the key to monitoring Michigan’s moose population. Learn more about moose in Michigan or report sightings by visiting mi.gov/moose.

Snowmobile trail closed

DNR temporarily closes snowmobile trail segment in northwestern Chippewa County

Michigan Department of Natural Resources has temporarily closed a 2 ½-mile segment of snowmobile Trail No. 8 in Chippewa County because of unsafe riding conditions. Trail No. 8 is a major east-west trail for snowmobilers in the Upper Peninsula.

 

Warmer temperatures in recent days have caused ice to melt and water to back up near the mouth of the Tahquamenon River. Water has pooled over part of the trail in a lowland area, causing unsafe riding conditions.

The closure is located from about 1.4 miles south of the village of Paradise in northwestern Chippewa County and extends south to the Tahquamenon River.

During the temporary trail closure, snowmobilers still will be able to access businesses in the Paradise area.

“Trail No. 8 will be posted closed along with information signs posted in Paradise and south at the intersection of snowmobile trails 8 and 475 to notify riders of the closure,” said Rob Katona, a recreation specialist with the DNR in Marquette. “This could be a major inconvenience for through traffic with no trail reroute available because of the expansive Tahquamenon River watershed.”

Snowmobilers planning on riding Trail No. 8 through this area should seek an alternate route.

Cold temperatures are forecast for the area within the next few days.

“We are hoping that the trail will refreeze, allowing us to reopen this segment of Trail 8 as early as next week,” Katona said.

Meanwhile, the DNR and the Paradise Area Night Riders – the local trail club – will continue to monitor the situation.

For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, visit the DNR’s Web page at: www.michigan.gov/snowmobiling.

Get your absentee ballot now

 

Absentee ballots now available to
vote in March 8 presidential primary

Absentee ballots are now available for the March 8 presidential primary in Michigan, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced. 

Voting absentee is only allowed in certain circumstances for registered voters in the state, including if you are:

• age 60 years old or older
• unable to vote without assistance at the polls
• expecting to be out of town on election day
• in jail awaiting arraignment or trial
• unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons, or
• appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.

When voters request an absentee ballot or arrive at the polls and fill out their application to vote, they must indicate whether they wish to vote in the Democratic or Republican party primary. They will then receive a ballot listing candidates for that party. Some communities will have additional special local election items on the ballot. Voters who wish only to vote in the special election may request a ballot that does not include presidential candidates.

Download an absentee ballot application

Johnson continues to support secure absentee voting in Michigan, which if passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor would allow registered voters to cast absentee ballots up to 45 days before an election. Voters wanting to vote absentee would have to pick up the ballot at a local clerk’s office and show ID.

For more election resources, please visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at mi.gov/vote.

BINGO rules at Newberry Assisted Living Community

Participants get ready to win BINGO!

Newberry Women’s Club held a special get-together this month. Seven club members assisted residents of Newberry Assisted Living Community with a few rousing rounds of the perennial favorite, BINGO.

Tuesday's winning ladies and gentlemen received quarters as they filled out their cards, crying “BINGO!” when they covered all four corners, had a postage stamp corner or the traditional up and down, side to side or diagonal winner. At the end of game time, six people covered all for... a $1 prize each.

Following the BINGO games, those who participated were treated to various confections baked and donated by the Newberry Women’s Club ladies. There was also soda, water or coffee, served with a smile by club members.

During the social time, several of the residents took time out from their treats to voice a special thanks to those who remembered the assisted living community and shared this time of gaming and merriment.

Enjoy the photographs posted below.

Following the event, club members held their regular monthly meeting, discussing membership issues, updates to the club constitution, state convention requests and answering questions about the information needed for the club’s annual report to the state.

Next month’s meeting, scheduled for Feb. 16, 10 a.m. at Zellar’s, will feature a presentation about Heifer International. Eleanor Lane and Pearl Schnorr will act as hostesses. Please call regrets to these ladies.

As always, all members are encouraged to attend, and to bring a friend!

Marie Nicholson gets ready to call BINGO.

Club secretary, Sandy Caswell sets up treat plates for BINGO players.

Club treasurer, Eleanor Lane leaves a table where she just delivered a plate full of scrumptious cookies.

Residents of Newberry Assisted Living Community discuss the day's BINGO while waiting for treats prepared by the ladies of GFWC Newberry Women's Club.

Not an empty seat was had for the annual BINGO party hosted by the ladies of GFWC Newberry.

DNR conservation officer academy starts Jan. 3

Twenty-four potential new conservation officers will report Sunday, Jan. 3, in Lansing to attend the Department of Natural Resources' conservation officer training academy. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards-sanctioned academy will be led by the DNR's Law Enforcement Division employment and training section.

The 24 recruits will complete a 22-week training academy that includes 14 weeks of basic police training and eight weeks of more specialized conservation officer training. Following graduation, the probationary conservation officers will then complete 18 weeks of field training. During the first two years after field training completion, the conservation officers will complete four additional weeks of specialized training, including search and rescue training and marine, waterfowl, snowmobile and trapping enforcement training.

There are 22 men and two women in Recruit School No. 7. Seven of the new recruits are military veterans and three are previous law enforcement officers. Upon academy graduation, the recruits will range in age from 21 to 45.

DNR conservation officers serve a distinct role in Michigan's law enforcement community. They are certified police officers with the authority to enforce all of Michigan's criminal laws. As conservation officers, they also have unique training in a wide variety of other areas related to the protection of Michigan's citizens and natural resources.

Michigan currently has 213 conservation officers, which doesn’t account for upcoming attrition through retirements.

“Our goal is to establish and maintain appropriate conservation officer coverage for every Michigan county, and this recruit school furthers that goal,” said Gary Hagler, chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “In addition to protecting the state’s natural resources and assisting in rural and urban community policing, conservation officers often serve as first responders.”

Conservation officers routinely conduct lifesaving operations such as ice rescue and search and rescue.

In 2015, conservation officers performed a number of livesaving operations, including a November rescue of a lost hunter in Mackinac County and a lost hunter and deer tracker in Gladwin County, an October rescue of a lost and injured Gladwin County woman, a September lifesaving operation during a Pentwater fire, an August apprehension of an escaped Iosco County prisoner, and a March ice rescue on the Detroit River, among many more.

First Lieutenant Steven Burton, supervisor of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division employment and training section, noted that the DNR is actively recruiting for future recruit schools.

"Men and women interested in a career as a conservation officer should start the process now by taking the Michigan Civil Service exam and completing an online application for a future academy," Burton said.

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more about Michigan conservation officers at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.

TAS admin personnel should investigate this opportunity

Want to learn the finer points of applying for DNR recreation grants? Join DNR grants management staff in January for a workshop that will help make your applications more competitive.  

The statewide workshops, beginning Jan. 12, will cover scoring criteria and how to successfully complete an application.

Frequent comments and questions staff are asked will be worked into the program, as well as tips for getting the greatest number of points possible on your application. Staff will also walk users through the MiRecGrants program to make applying easier for applicants.

Check out the workshop in your area; registration is not necessary. If you have any questions, contact  your grant coordinator, or call 517-284-7268.

Village scores $45K Recreation Passport grant

Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that 33 communities across the state will share $1,348,700 in Recreation Passport grants. Funding for this program is derived from sales of the Recreation Passport, the $11 annual pass that grants residents vehicle entry at state parks and recreation areas throughout Michigan.

This year, Recreation Passport grant applicants sought funding for a broad range of public outdoor recreation projects, including playground development and renovations, dog park improvements, ice-skating rink development, trail and walkway development, park and picnic area improvements and improved access for those with disabilities.

The village of Newberry received grant funding in the amount of $45,000 to make improvements at Atlas Park. According to the DNR, the village project includes development of playground equipment, benches, picnic tables, grills and lighting.

The full list of grant recipients, grant amounts and project descriptions is available on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassportgrants.

Successful applicants clearly demonstrated projects designed to increase public access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities. The selected projects were chosen from a field of 45 grant applications seeking nearly $1.8 million in funding.

“These Recreation Passport grants go a long way in helping local units of government bring quality recreation opportunities to their citizens,” said Steve DeBrabander, DNR grants manager. “We are proud to work with these agencies so that, together, we can create world-class outdoor recreation resources statewide. The recreation industry plays an important role in moving the state’s economy forward by providing vital jobs and tourism in both urban and rural settings.”

Application materials for future Recreation Passport grants will be available by Jan. 1 at www.michigan.gov/dnr-grants. Interested individuals also may call DNR Grants Management at 517-284-7268 or write to:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Grants Management
P.O. Box 30425
Lansing, MI 48909-7925

Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.