Pure Michigan Launches Snow Coverage Map

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Michigan Snow map for Feb 4, 2026 (graphic from Michigan.gov/snow)

from Moody on the Market

Now there’s a Pure Michigan Winter Snow Map to help plan out a winter trip, similar to the Fall Color Map.

Travel Michigan’s Nick Nerbonne says the project was launched at Michigan.org last year. It tracks the winter snow cover throughout the state each day.

"It’s at Michigan.org/Snow, and it shows a combination of forecasting and real-world data and observations and historical data that allows people to discover where the snow is falling so they can plan their winter getaway," Nerbonne said.

• Measurements shown are daily snowfall predictions
• Zoom into reveal more snowfall measurements and city names
• Select a city to display the seven-day forecast.
• Snowfall predictions beyond two weeks are based on climatological normals and should be considered an estimate

The map uses both National Weather Service information and satellite images.

See Michigan Snow Report


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Birding Expo in Detroit, February 14

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birding exhibit (photo from the Outdoor Adventure Center)

from Michgan's Outdoor Adventure Center

While this event is not in West Michigan, it may have enough statewide appeal to draw participants. The 2026 Birding Expo is held at the Outdoor Adventure Center at 1801 Atwater Street, Detroit, Michigan, 48207. Date is Sunday, February 15, 2026, from noon to 3:30 pm. Seniors may register to attend an earlybird session from 10:30 to noon.

Birding is a wonderful way to connect with our natural resources. Come and learn all about it! Exhibitors from various local organizations will be ready to help you get started with a healthy, fun hobby for the new year with information about: Bird identification and behavior.
• Local birding field trip opportunities.
• Feeding birds in your yard.
• Using binoculars.
• Parks and natural areas to visit.
• And much more!

Those age 55 or older can register for the Early Bird Hour, 10:30 a.m.– noon, for a jumpstart to the event. There is a fee. Register at the link below.

Register at Outdoor Adventure Center


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West Michigan Regional Trails Master Plan

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counties in the West Michigan Trails Plan (graphic from West Michigan Trails)

from West Michigan Trails

The draft Master Plan for West Michigan Trails was updated in 2024. West Michigan Trails seeks to enhance the quality of life by advancing a regional trails movement. With a geographic area consisting of 18 counties, running about 170 miles north-south and 50 to 70 miles east-west, it is an ambitious mission. The project area includes 910 miles of existing trails; two of the oldest rail-trails in the state; the longest rail-trail in Michigan; nearly 200 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline; a national forest; hundreds of miles rolling farmland and orchards, 4 state recreation areas, and 13 state parks. Linking these resources with a complete network of trails would result in west Michigan becoming a destination of national significance and establishing a defining quality of life factor for the over two million people who live in the region.

The 142-page document outlines both the history of multi-use trails in this area and goals for standards and connectivity. It emphasises the "big connections that unite communities across the area."

While this plan aims to create a cohesive regional trail network, it does not include all US bike routes or single-track trails such as the Dragon Trail, the North Country Scenic Trail, and the Iron Belle Trail. However, these trails are recognized as important destinations that the regional trail network connects to, enhancing the overall accessibility and experience for trail users. Additionally, the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Route 1 and part of US Bike Route 35 overlap with the regional multi-use trail network, further integrating these prominent routes into the broader system.

Action steps include:
• Identify Priorities
• Allocate Resources
• Support Grant Applications
• Collaborate Effectively
• Monitor Progress:

Although still incomplete, the plan covers aspects of design, advocacy, and eventual development of many connected trails. It can serve as a template for the trail planning process.

See the full West Michigan Trails draft plan


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Fruit Ridge Bridge at I-96 Rebuilt to Connect Trails

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Fruit Ridge Avenue Bridge (photo from MDOT)

from Michigan.gov

After years of determination and collaboration between the community and state government, the newly rebuilt I-96/Fruit Ridge Avenue interchange and pedestrian paths in the city of Walker, northwest of Grand Rapids, Michigan, opened in October of 2025.

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) invested approximately $30 million to rebuild and widen Fruit Ridge Avenue from 3 Mile Road to Northridge Drive. The project replaced the original 1961 Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge over I-96 and rebuilt the interchange to include new nonmotorized paths along Fruit Ridge Avenue and 3 Mile Road, with trail connections on the north and south sides.

"This was the missing piece. This is a key intersection to unlock hundreds of miles of trails," said State Rep. Carol Glanville, 84th District. "Pedestrians now have safer access to the White Pine Trail [to the northeast], the Pioneer Trail and the Standale Trail [both to the south]."

See map of the Standale Trail at the top of which you can just see the I-96 crossing.


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Quiet Adventure Symposium 2026

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Quiet Adventure Symposium logo (from QAS)

from the Quiet Adventure Society

Today is the last day for the most discounted advance ticket price for the annual Quiet Adventure Syposium in East Lansing, Michigan.

through January 31: $10
Feb 1–Feb 26: $12.50
At the door (Feb 28): $15

The event is February 28, 2026, at the Farm Bureau Pavilion at MSU

For QAS 2026, they have selected speakers and demonstrations across a range of topics. Some of the confirmed speakers for 2026 are featured in this video.



Since 1996, the Quiet Adventure Society, a group of unpaid volunteers, has organized and sponsored the Quiet Adventures Symposium (QAS), formerly known as Quiet Water Symposium (QWS), as its primary tool for achieving its mission. The primary source of revenue is from Symposium ticket sales, sponsoring opportunities and exhibitor fees. When funds permit, small grant funds are set aside to share with the outdoor community.

See Quiet Adventure Society


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Nakawema Trailway Project

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Nakwema Trailway (photo from the Facebook page)

from Nakwema Trailway

The vison for the Nakawema (nah-KWAY-mah) Trailway project is to connect the TART trail in Traverse City, Michigan, to Charlevoix.

Nakawema means "where paths connect" in Ojibwe. The non-motorized trailway will join over 25 natural spaces and parks together, creating a year-round asset for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy, today and tomorrow.

Planning is ongoing. Learn more at the link below.

See the Nakwema Trailway Facebook page


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Benton Harbor- St. Joe Trail Open

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concept drawing (graphic from patronicity)

compiled from several sources

Phase 1 of the Lakeshore Trail connecting downtown Benton Harbor and St. Joseph in Berrien County, Michigan, is now open. This 2.5-mile section of the Lakeshore Trail is a paved, multi-use walking and biking trail from the Harbor Shores Trails on Higman Park Road in Benton Charter Township, along M-63, to the Monte Road trailhead of the Lakeview Mountain Bike Trail. It is ADA-compliant with grades below 5% to allow many abilities and skill levels to utilize the trail.

Nature restoration, including the planting of new trees, will be completed before the anticipated official opening of the trail in spring 2026.

The Lakeshore Trail is the first phase of a larger effort to ultimately connect the trail system in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor to the Van Buren State Park Trail in Covert Township, Van Buren County.

Although the trail is open, it is not plowed or groomed.

See maps at Berrien Trails


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Armadillos in Michigan?

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nine-banded armadillos (photo from Bridge Michigan)

from an article in Bridge Michigan

Yes, nine-banded armadillos, dead ones at any rate, have been found in Michigan. Between 1989 and 2022 there have been five confirmed sightings, mostly in the southernmost counties, and all were dead in the road. Two were from Ottawa County and one each from Ionia, Luce, and Saginaw counties. There is also one photo submitted to iNaturalist, supposedly from the UP. This may be a hoax.

Wildlife officials do not agree as to how they got there. Some suggest they were brought into the state and discarded here. Others think that their movement into the state is inevitable, given climate change.

Agreement can't be reached as to whether it would be good or bad to have armadillos here. They burrow and cause structural damage. On the other hand, they eat ants and cockroaches.

Armadillos migrated from Mexico and into southern states in the 1840s. By the 1920s, they were found in Florida in the 1920s. Their distribution has spread northward to Illinois, Ohio and Indiana.

They would not be able to survive Michigan winters like the one we are having this year.

See Armadillo on Wikipedia


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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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