Department of Natural Resources

A band of painter's tape around a tree trunk is used to trap some later instar spongy moth caterpillars, showing their distinctive red and blue dot pattern.

Experts predict fewer spongy moths on Michigan trees this summer

Taylor Bowie

Experts are forecasting a decrease in spongy moths in Michigan.The invasive species is known for eating tree leaves throughout the spring and early summer, especially oak trees.

Proposed regulations for nuisance animals would tighten the definition of when animals could be killed without a permit and then adds cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, red squirrels, ground squirrels –sometimes called chipmunks, opossums, weasels, muskrats, and beavers to the list.

Environment & Climate Change

Michigan DNR proposes adding rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks and others to lethal nuisance regulations

Lester Graham

The proposal would allow landowners to kill year-round in unlimited numbers animals that are about to damage property without first getting a permit.

Vast forests keep Lake Superior's water quality high. But other Great Lakes are on the tipping point because of agriculture and urban sprawl.

Environment & Climate Change

Forest to MI Faucet: Using trees to keep water sources pristine

Lester Graham

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is pairing conservation groups with drinking water treatment plant operators to see how source water can be protected by planting trees.

Environment & Climate Change

Firearm deer hunting season begins Tuesday

Steve Carmody

This year, hunters will be expected to report their kill online.

Many people with color blindness would have difficult seeing this northern cardinal in the forest.

Environment & Climate Change

425,000 people in Michigan may have a hard time seeing this bird; that could change

Lester Graham

People with colorblindness often cannot distinguish colors such as red and green. That can change the experience of seeing fall leaves, or a northern cardinal in the trees. And it's prompted some changes at a couple of state parks.

Like the mailed survey, the online survey will ask if the deer had antlers or not. The online survey will then go on to ask about the antlerless deer. Was it an adult doe, a button buck, a spike buck or an adult buck that has already shed its antlers for the year.

Environment & Climate Change

Deer hunters now required to report deer kills online

Lester Graham

The Department of Natural Resources is now requiring hunters to report through an online survey each deer they take.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says it's still looking for people to fill summer jobs. The department is upping its starting pay to $15 an hour.

Environment & Climate Change

Michigan DNR raising pay to lure seasonal parks workers

Scott Pohl

Jobs in state parks will pay $15 per hour.

DNR personnel at the spawning location at the Pine Street access site on the Muskegon River below the Croton Dam.

Environment & Climate Change

State crews expect to collect 24 million walleye eggs from Muskegon River to preserve population

Lester Graham

The Department of Natural Resources will collect the eggs to grow fish that will stock other rivers and lakes.

An invasive species of moth that's been spreading in Michigan is getting a new name from the Entomological Society of America.

Environment & Climate Change

Invasive moth species gets new name

Emma Ruberg

The invasive species will now be called "spongy moths," instead of the former name which included a derogatory term referring to Romani people.

A view from a trail in the Craig Lake State Park.

Environment & Climate Change

Michigan plans to make trail system easier to use and better connected to municipal and federal trails

Lester Graham

A ten year plan outlines the Department of Natural Resources' goals for its expansive trail system. Since the pandemic, many more people are hiking, biking, or riding on the trails.