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Top News

Donation to Nongame Wildlife Fund Makes a Great Gift Honor friends or loved ones by making a donation to the Michigan Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund in their name - they will receive a beautiful certificate and a Living Resources patch featuring one of Michigan's unique nongame species. Tax-deductible donations help to restore populations of endangered, threatened and rare species and to keep common species common. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/nongamewildlife.

Duck Lake Fire, Luce County, May 25, 2012

DNR Urges Caution as Wildfire Season Returns to Michigan One out of three wildfires in Michigan is caused by someone burning debris who didn't take the proper precautions or get a burn permit. Fire safety is everyone's responsibility, so please be safe and smart when it comes to fires. Get fire-prevention tips and guidelines, obtain a burn permit and more at www.michigan.gov/preventwildfires.

Elk and Bear Applications Now Available! Have you dreamed of hunting one of Michigan's largest mammals? The elk and bear application period is open now through June 1. To increase your chances, you can also apply for the Pure Michigan Hunt - each $4 per application gives you a chance to be one of three winners of a prize package valued over $4,000. Apply now anywhere licenses are sold or online at www.mdnr-elicense.com.

Public meetings to discuss Forest Management Plans The Department of Natural Resources will host public stakeholder meetings to discuss and get important feedback on several aspects of the DNR's draft Regional State Forest Management Plans. To find a meeting near you, or more information about the draft plans, visit www.michigan.gov/regionalforestplans.

Archaeology crew members in action at Colonial Michilimackinac

Apply Now for Summer Positions at State Parks, Visitor Centers, Historic Sites Persons looking for a summer job working in the great outdoors, can apply to become a state worker at one of Michigan's state parks, visitor centers, historic sites, harbors, or boat launches.

The Proud Robin declaring "It's Great to Live in Michigan" is perched atop the Mackinac Straits Bridge.

Michiganology Store Looking for unique one-of-a-kind Michigan documents, photographs and maps? If so you've found the right place Browse our collection and bring home your own piece of Michigan's history.

Balls of brightly colored yarn with crochet hooks crisscrossed through them.

Knitters Needed! Participate in the "yarn bombing" of the Michigan Historical Center and Museum Come to a Stitch Lab or find out more at www.michigan.gov/museum.

DNR helps you find places to fish with Family Friendly Fishing Waters Are you looking for a great place to go fishing that is easy to access, has a high likelihood of catching fish, has various amenities, and is all around family-friendly? Then the Family Friendly Fishing Waters project can help! Just click through to find a map that highlights family-friendly fishing locations throughout the state of Michigan.

Learn about the restructuring of hunting/fishing licenses

The 2013-14 Executive Budget for the DNR includes a proposal to raise the cost of hunting and fishing license fees as part of a plan to improve the state's fish and game habitat and hire additional conservation officers. License fees have not increased since 1997. Learn how this additional investment will aid the DNR in delivering better outdoor recreation experiences to Michigan residents and visitors.

Press Releases

• Free fishing and hunting licenses now available to military members Active-duty military members who enlisted as Michigan residents and have maintained residence status can now obtain annual Michigan fishing or hunting licenses free of charge.

• DNR research vessels take to Great Lakes to learn more about Michigan's fisheries The Department of Natural Resources today announced all four of its research vessels are back on the water, conducting annual surveys of Great Lakes fish populations. The DNR's vessels are critical in the department's mission to conserve, protect and manage the Great Lakes for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations. The surveys are designed to estimate relative abundance, biomass, age and growth, health, diet, survival rates, natural reproduction and movements of fish in the Great Lakes.

• Conservation Education Building dedicated to Harry Whiteley The Harry H. Whiteley Conservation Education Building at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center was officially dedicated on Thursday, May 9, at the regular monthly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission meeting, in Roscommon.