Petoskey's Camp Daggett Still Recovering from 2025 Ice Storm

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Camp Daggett Frog Pond damage (photo from Camp Daggett)

mostly from Camp Daggett Facebook page

Camp Daggett, in Petoskey, Michigan, has been offering outdoor adventures for children and families since 1925. The 2025 ice storm caused catastrophic damage to the facility.

The camp regularly hosts day camps, overnight camping and wilderness adventures. They serve more than 1,100 campers, nearly half from Charlevoix and Emmet Counties, along with countless school and community groups throughout the year.

In 2024, they expanded the Adventure Center offerings by partnering with Harbor Springs–based nonprofit TOPO Nexus to bring hands-on STEAM programming to campus. The Frog Pond is the heart of this program and is used daily by summer campers and year-round for adventure education and school groups. But the storm had significant impact across the campus, including cabin roofs, a totaled vehicle, and extensive damage to the Frog Pond. Fallen trees covered the pond, and the surrounding boardwalk and benches were damaged, limiting access to one of their most important learning spaces.

Camp Daggett has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation Emergency Response Fund to support critical recovery efforts.

Through STEAM programming, campers engage in meaningful, hands-on learning that often extends beyond camp and into their homes, sparking curiosity and family conversations.

See Camp Daggett


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Chikaming Preserve in Berrien County

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Chikaming Nature Preserve (photo from Chikaming Open Lands)

from a news article at Moody on the Market

Chikaming Township in Berrien County, Michigan, has recently purchased a total of 87 acres to be conbined into a nature preserve. The area is a mix of former agricultural land, forest, and wetland. Over 200 donors contributed to make the acquisition possible.

Chikaming Open Lands (COL) Director Ryan Postema states that over the winter a plan will be developed to create trails and a parking area to make the land more accessible to the public. “This property is desirable. It’s a high-profile location along Three Oaks Road between Sawyer and Three Oaks. And so it’ll be a really great asset to the community," he said. He hopes there will be guided hikes, educational and service opportunities available within a year.

Since its founding in 1999, COL has protected nearly 2,500 acres across Berrien County. Chikaming Open Lands is the local land conservancy dedicated to preserving the open spaces and natural rural character of southwest Berrien County. Their mission is to "protect and restore native plant and animal habitat in the area, improve water quality in our rivers, streams and in Lake Michigan, and permanently preserve ecologically significant forests, prairies and wetlands, as well as prime farmland and other open spaces in this community."



See Chickaming Open Lands


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Johnson Park Bike Path Extension

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concept map (graphic from Kent County Parks)- click to enlarge

from the West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance

Johnson Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan is soon to have an expanded mountain bike trail. Dan Frayer, president of West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance states he's "confident this is going the be the best trail in all of West Michigan." The existing trail of six miles will be expanded to eight miles. It will be professionally built by Spectrum Trail Design with rock drops, rollers, and dirt jumps. It will have the largest vertical drop (130 feet) of any trail in the WMMBA system.

Johnson Park is a 224-acre property located in the City of Walker. It was established in 1928 and it is one of the oldest parks in the Kent County Park System. Johnson Park is known for its 1930s enclosed shelter, the 1 mile plus scenic drive (now pedestrian pathway) that winds through the park, its proximity to the Grand River and Millennium Park, and the open recreation it provides. Positioned in the urban core of the County, Johnson Park serves a diverse range of residents and visitors.

Fundraising for the project is about half completed, and work is already begun.

Watch video of riding the trail


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Trail Spotlight- Alpena Bi-Path

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Alpena Bi-Path (photo by from city of Alpena)

from the City of Alpena

Approximately 18.5 miles long, this paved path travels in a main loop around the City of Alpena. Several of Alpena’s scenic city parks and beaches along the Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron can be accessed via connector spurs and streets from the main trail. Parking, dining, shopping, and sightseeing is available at several sites along the path. With almost no elevation changes, this is an excellent trail for all users for a beautiful tour of the city by foot, rollerblade, or bike.

Many civic attractions are linked together by the trail, including the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary, Water Works Park and Bayview Parks. Parks and other amenities are conveniently spaced along the trail. There are also good opportunities for loop rides on local roads that come into or across the bi-path.

In 2007, the City began expansion of the Bi-Path into the northern part of town to connect parks, schools and other attractions and add several additional miles of trail. Two extensions were completed in the fall of 2007: The first runs from North Riverfront Park along Fletcher Street to the NOAA Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The second runs along the Thunder Bay River from Ninth Avenue to the Bi-Path at Fletcher Street and includes a bridge to Rotary Park. The trail also includes a link to the unpaved Alpena to Hillman trail.

Horses and snowmobiles are not allowed.

See map at Top of Michigan Trail Council


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Stay Off Ice Shelves

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ice shelf safety graphic

complied from several sources

On Wednesday of this week a person fell through the Lake Michigan ice shelf near South Haven, Michigan. They were able to pull themselves out of the water. Stories like this one do not usually end as well.

When the shore is frozen, it is nearly impossible to tell where land ends and the water begins. Wind and wave action create pockets within the ice shelf making it unstable. As seen in the graphic, shafts in the shelf can make it impossible to get out without help.

Emergency personnel are endangered as well when effecting a rescue. Although this example was not shelf ice, the drownings on Round Lake earlier this winter in Mason County demonstrate the problem. Emergency teams could not get to the scene for hours as they also kept breaking through the ice.

Do not let pets venture on the ice either. A dog was rescued this week from ice on the Detroit River. Animals do not have some sixth sense that will keep them safe. Dogs, deer, etc, routinely drown from breaking through ice.

As beautiful as the winter shoreline may be, stay off!

The Coast Guard says, "No ice is safe ice."

See news story about person falling through ice shelf at TV 13


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Grand Rapids Renewal Will Be More Pedestrian Friendly

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concept drawing of renewal area (from Grand Rapids)

compiled from several sources

Division Avenue, north of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan will be rebuilt to be less car-centric and more user friendly for pedestrians and non-motorized travel. It will include vibrant greenspaces and hillside access.

The cost is projected to be $4.3 million, coming from the state. Six communities were selcted for a Michigan Talent Partnership Program placemaking grant by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The Division and Ionia Avenue improvements will start at the Belknap Park area and run south to the highway. Monroe Avenue south of Leonard Street down to I-196 is included. The stairway from Fairbanks Street to Division Avenue will be repaired and pedestrian crossings throughout the area improved.

This area of Grand Rapids was selected because of a high concentration of young residents.

The other five cities awarded grants are Lansing, Mt. Pleasant, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Houghton.

See Crain's Grand Rapids Business (subscription required to read full article)


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Great Backyard Bird Count 2026

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yellow-headed blackbird (photo by jhy)

from Great Backyard Bird Count

The global 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count will be February 13-16. Spend time in your favorite places watching birds—then tell us about them! In as little as 15 minutes notice the birds around you. Identify them, count them, and submit your counts to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. If you already use eBird or Merlin, your submissions over the 4 days count toward GBBC.

Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.
     Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.
     Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 13–16, 2026.
     Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings

Beginners are encouraged to use apps to help with identification.

The 2025 Backyard Bird Count results have been labeled "unbelievable." At a time when the world feels fractured, we demonstrated that we can and will come together for the birds. Collectively, we found 8,078 species of the world’s known species, that is 158 more than in 2024. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world were birding during those four days in February. Our whole is more powerful than the sum of the parts.

See more on how to participate at Great Backyard Bird Count


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League of Michigan Bicyclists Shifts Gears

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bicyclists (photo from LMB)

from League of Michigan Bicyclists

We’re evolving how we show up for Michigan’s cycling community in 2026, shifting from hosting a few flagship multi-day tours to supporting many events, races, and local gatherings across the state.

Some familiar LMB events will pause, others will continue, and you’ll start seeing LMB in more places than ever, bringing advocacy, education, and community connection directly to where riders already are. For everyone who’s ridden with us, volunteered, cheered from the sidelines, or built summer traditions around our tours, thank you. Those memories matter. And we're beyond excited to continue creating new ones and ride with you in this next era!

In 2026, LMB will pause our traditional multi-day tours and large-scale ride events — including MUP, Shoreline, Sunrise, and MMBA skills clinics. Instead, we’re taking our energy, expertise, and people power in a new direction: supporting, amplifying, and showing up for those that already make Michigan’s cycling culture so strong. This means building partnerships with organizations that promote and operate quality cycling events around the state. LMB will also focus on hosting select education-focused programs designed to support safer riding, stronger advocacy, and community learning across Michigan.

By pivoting our model, LMB will be able to:
• Be more visible and involved at races, rides and tours, festivals, bikepacking weekends, and community events statewide.
• Bring advocacy and safety education directly to where people already ride.
• Support organizers, clubs, and partners who make Michigan’s cycling scene thrive. Strengthen our core mission: safer roads, better trails, and a stronger voice for all cyclists.

LMB will still host a select number of our own events in 2026, with a renewed focus on education, safety, and celebrating the people and progress shaping Michigan’s cycling future. These events will highlight cycling law, policy, and best practices and spotlight the communities, advocates, and supporters helping move the needle statewide.

See LMB Events


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Grand Rapids Nature Day

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Nature Day (photo from city of Grand Rapids)

compiled from several sources

Attend Grand Rapids Downtown Market on Saturday, February 25, 2026, and bring the kids. It's Nature Day, an annual event where Michigan wildlife organizations bring animals for people to interact with.

Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids Area Bee Club, Grand Rapids Public Library, Humane Society of West Michigan, N&N Exotic Reptiles Rescue, West Michigan Wildlife, John Ball Zoo, Casa La Parrot, Grand Rapids Public Museum, and more will participate. See the critters up close, learn about animal artifacts, and enjoy Greenhouse activities—then enjoy some lunch from the Market Hall.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., visit the Grand Rapids Downtown Market’s greenhouse event space to enjoy up-close interactions with several wildlife animal ambassadors from various nearby partners. In addition to live animals, there will be things like pelts and bones to feel and observe. The event is free. Grand Rapids Downtown Market is located at 435 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, Michigan

See Nature Day


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California Attempts to Quantify Monetary Value of Urban Trees

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curban trail with adjacent greenery (photo by xjhy)

primarily from UC Santa Cruz's Center for Coastal Climate Resilience

With the primary goal of setting values on natural features for insurance purposes, the University of Californa Santa Cruz has been working to quantify how urban trees benefit humans and municipalities themselves. Storms are an insurable risk, and stakeholders need to estimate the cost to restore urban green spaces to determine an insurable value.

Three values were calculated and they are "likely underestimated," states Heather Tallis, co-author of the report.

California's 173.2 million urban trees represent a $181 billion asset, generating $8 billion in services per year. For comparison, the combined financial value of California's highway infrastructure, buildings and other depreciable property in 2023 totaled $143.4 billion.

A study of 5 million Northern California residents found that those living in the greenest areas paid $374 less per year in adjusted health care costs, compared to those living in areas with fewer trees.

Planting, caring for and maintaining urban and community forests contributed $12.9 billion to California's economy in 2021, supporting 78,560 jobs.

Other benefits which have been identified, but not yet quantified include improved educational outcomes for elementary students with access to green space, and faster recovery times for patients who can even see greenery from windows.

In Michigan, two organizations which support planting trees are Releaf Michigan and the Arbor Day Foundation where you can get 10 trees/shrubs suitable for your climate zone for a minimal donation.

See a longer article on this topic at Phys.org


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Hartwick Pines Visitor Center Reopens

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renovated Hartwick Pines Visitor Center (photo from Hartwick Pines)

compiled from various sources

Hartwick Pines Visitor Center, Crawford County, Michigan, is reopening this weekend, January 17-18. Phase 1 of the renovation is complete, and normal winter hours will resume. The Visitor Center will be open Saturdays & Sundays, 10am-4pm through April 30. The center will close again in May to finalize these improvements. Visitors can still access the park using the lower parking lot, with additional parking available at the Logging Museum and day-use area.

The restrooms are open on the weekends and snowshoes are available to borrow.

Phase 1 included major renovations like a new roof, exterior paint, accessible doors, and new carpeting. The former auditorium has been converted into a larger classroom space to better support all our workshop and activity needs. Phase 2 will begin soon, focusing on updates to the exhibit area and displays.

These improvements, among others, are supported by a proposed $3.25 million in federal relief funding from Gov. Whitmer's Building Michigan Together Plan- the American Rescue Plan Act.

Hartwick Pines State Park, located in Grayling, is named for its 49 acres of majestic, old-growth pine forest - some of the last remaining in the state. One of the largest state parks in the Lower Peninsula, Hartwick Pines features rolling hills overlooking the valley of the East Branch of the AuSable River, a handful of spring-fed lakes and unique timber lands.

The 9,335-acre park is home to a modern campground, two undeveloped boating access sites, a rustic cabin, picnic areas and 21 miles of trails, including the accessible, 1.25-mile, paved Old Growth Forest Trail. The park is a destination for hiking, paddling, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing and birding.

The American Rescue Plan Act funded numerous upgrade and maintenance projects in Michigan over the past two years.

See Hartwick Pinces State Park


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Pine River Guided Winter Rafting

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Pine River raft trip (photo from Pine River Paddlesports)

from Pine Rive Paddlesports

GOTC News will not often promote commercial outdoor pursuits that don't have some other component (education, competition, etc), but this seems like such a unique opportunity, it will be mentioned.

Pine Rive Paddlesports is offering guided winter rafting trips.

Are you ready for an all new way to experience the Pine? We are now offering guided winter rafting trips! Rafts are extremely stable, thus making them the perfect craft to use in the winter. You don’t have to worry about getting wet – the only water in the boat should be from the occasional paddle splash and snow coming down!

The trips take place from Walker Bridge to Lincoln Bridge on the Pine. In a raft, this stretch of river takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes – long enough to soak in the scenery, but not long enough to freeze! While the trips are guided, we are giving everyone their choice of either having the guide in the raft with them or canoeing alongside them.

At the end of your rafting trip, you get the option of either receiving a ride from us back to the starting point where your vehicles are waiting, or of hiking the beautiful Silver Creek Pathway back to your cars. The Silver Creek Pathway runs on both sides of the river – one side is a 1.7 mile hike while the other is about 2.4 miles. It is a gorgeous, riverside trail with beautiful overlooks on the river. If you choose to hike, we will happily take back to your vehicles any thermoses, extra layers of clothing, etc, that you do not want with you on your hike. If some of your group wants to hike and some wants to ride back, we are happy to accommodate that as well.

We offer rafting trips 7 days a week, twice a day. We generally launch the first trip at 10:00 AM and the second trip at 1:00 PM. Since the trips are guided, reservations are required.

See Pine River Paddlesports for times and rates


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