DNR program helps urban youths better their future

By LAURA BOHANNON
Capital News Service
LANSING — Michigan has plenty of scenic publically owned land, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is using its summer youth program to expose urban youth to parks and other recreational outdoor activities. The DNR hopes the program will give kids from urban areas who aren’t typically exposed to outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping and fishing the chance to experience  those options, develop new hobbies and explore career opportunities, Director Keith Creagh said. He also said the DNR is focused on bringing some aspects of parks to urban areas to help diversify their user base. Creagh also said the program brings kids to state parks and works to better the urban areas where they’re from, like cleaning up the Flint River. The DNR tracks the success of these programs by tracking its participants, looking to see if participants have gone on to pursue a college degree or a job, Creagh said.

Tough winter good for some endangered species

By LACEE SHEPARD
Capital News Service
LANSING – Heavy snowfall is proving to be helpful for some of Michigan’s endangered species. Karner blue butterflies are federally listed endangered insects that are taking advantage of the protection the heavy snow brings, said Chris Hoving, an adaptation specialist with the DNR in Lansing. “Karner blue butterflies do best when there’s continual deep snow through the whole winter,” he said.  “That’s what we’ve had this winter for the first time in decades. It’s excellent weather for blue butterflies.”

The Karner blue butterfly has been found in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and in western Michigan. In Michigan it used to be common from Lake County to Allegan County, but the butterfly sightings have dropped 50 percent to 90 percent every year for the past four years, said Hoving.

Early warning program battles frog bit, other invasive species

By LACEE SHEPARD
Capital News Service
LANSING – A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) early warning program is preventing the invasive species frog bit from destroying native aquatic plants. “Essentially, frog bit is an invasive plant that’s come into Michigan from Canadian waterways,” said Holly Vaughn, a DNR wildlife outreach technician. “It’s roughly the size of a quarter or half dollar, it looks like a mini- water lily but forms really dense mats of leaves on the surface of the water and ends up choking out native species of plants.”
An invasive species  is one that comes from another ecosystem and can harm native plants and animals  There are more than 200 invasive plants and animals in Michigan that could have been controlled or prevented had the program started earlier, said Susan Tangora, invasive species coordinator for the DNR Wildlife Division. The Early Detection Rapid Response Program, which received $970,000 over three years from the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,  is one of the most cost-efficient ways to prevent the spread of invasive species, Tangora said. To control them, they need to be caught quickly.

Wild swine numbers drop – or do they?

By LACEE SHEPARD
Capital News Service
LANSING – Wild pigs in Michigan are still pests. The number of feral swine significantly decreased according to Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports but at least one interest group says the numbers are wrong. The report shows three counties — Mecosta, Midland and Saginaw — had the highest numbers of feral swine in 2012. In 2012, there were five sightings and 16 killings of wild swine in Mecosta County. So far this year, the number dropped to no sightings and only six killings.

More trails, more water access recommended in public lands report

By MATTHEW HALL
Capital News Service
LANSING – More public access to forests, lakes and trails are among the goals the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has in store for public lands. A department report details a strategy for increasing recreation, protection for natural resources and economic growth, said Donna Stine, the policy coordinator for the agency. One component is more trails for horse enthusiasts, especially in Southeast Michigan. “We have a large equestrian community and they do like to use our trails,” Stine said. “We have trails in Northern Michigan and some in Southern Michigan, primarily at state parks, but there is a lot of community interest in creating more of them.”
The report calls for connecting and extending 10 existing trails in Macomb, Oakland and Livingston counties.