Saugatuck Hoping to Fund a Riverside Park

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cconcept map (map from Saugatuck Township Facebook page) The map is clickable to enlarge

compiled from several sources

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan is working toward protecting 119 acres of ecologically critical forest, wetlands, and the shores of the Kalamazoo River as it flows into Lake Michigan.

In December 2025, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) board recommended the Riverside Park project for a $2.46 million grant to support the Township’s acquisition of the land so it can become a public park—contingent on support from the local community. Eighty percent of the needed support is committed. The conservancy hopes to raise the remainder of the needed funds, and a private donor has agreed to match all gifts.

Over 75% of the land will be preserved and restored as native habitat, but the previously disturbed 25% of the land will be developed for recreational purposes including trails, a boat launch on the river, parking, pavilions and picnic areas, educational buildings, and athletic fields.

The acquisition would help the Conservancy meet one of its three strategic focal areas, preserving a critical migratory corridor and improving Kalamazoo River water quality.

The land is still privately owned and is not open for public use at this time.

See more at Nature Nearby


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Robots Doing Trail Work?

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trail robot (photo from WVU)

complied from several sources

A recent article from Backpacker reports that robots are being developed to do trail maintenance and more. Does this sound too fantastic? It's true.

West Virginia University student Camndon Reed, a robotics engineering and mathematics major from Watertown, Massachusetts, designs autonomous robots that navigate hiking trails.

Reed says, "Hiking trails are our gateways to nature. The U.S. has over 193,500 miles of trails on federal lands alone. More than 58 million Americans hiked in 2021, and it’s growing in popularity. But hiking trails present problems for land managers, conservationists and emergency responders, so we developed a system that can help a robot navigate trail systems on its own.”

He further explains that while most robots are designed for relatively level urban or indoor terrain, hiking trails are many levels of multiple factors more difficult.

“We try to balance three key factors — the unmanned vehicle’s adherence to the trail, its identification of off-trail shortcuts and its avoidance of hazards,” he said. “The eventual goal is to support rural communities with trail maintenance, environmental monitoring and emergency response.”

The trails serve as a laboratory for teaching the machines how to navigate, and they may also be able to help with basic maintenance or monitoring tasks.

Note: online response to the concept has been mostly disdainful.

See article from Backpacker
See article from West Virginia University


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North Country Trail Association Seeks New Executive Director

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NCTA Headquarters mural (photo by jhy)

from the NCTA and board president Jan Stewart

Andrea Ketchmark, Executive Director of the North Country Trail Association, has chosen to step down from her role with the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) on January 15, 2026, having accepted another professional opportunity. Andrea laid a strong foundation for our future.

Andrea says, "After 16 years, it's hard to put into words just what this trail and this community has meant to me. I'll be forever grateful for the experiences I've had, the relationships I've built, my time spent on the trail and advocating for it. We truly have a special resource and an even more special community. I will champion the North Country Trail whenever given the chance."

The NCTA has now posted the application for the position. The role summary of the document states, "The Executive Director provides visionary leadership for the NCTA, guiding its work across eight states through clear direction, strong relationships, and effective execution. The role directly supervises the Director of Trail Operations, the Director of Development and Communications, and the Director of Trail Protection, with a total staff of 13."

See Position Announcement and application


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Ludington State Park Skyline Trail to be Rebuilt

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LSP Skyline Trail from below (photo by jhy)

from the Ludington State Park Facebook page

Winding a half-mile through the treetops at the top of a 100-plus-stair climb, the Skyline Trail at Ludington State Park (Mason County, Michigan) will receive a major upgrade in 2026 thanks to a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Friends of Ludington State Park. This trail is south of the Big Sable River and provides views of the dunes at the south end of the park.

The $3.5 million reconstruction project will ensure the Skyline Trail meets modern safety and construction standards. The Friends are raising 10 percent of the cost, up to a maximum of $350,000, with the DNR using dedicated capital outlay funds to cover the remaining amount.

Additionally, the Friends of Ludington State Park approved an almost $100,000 improvement project to replace the existing concrete stage, add a protective canopy, refresh the seating, and explore tiering the grassy area to create additional seating for this amphitheater built in 1998. This project will occur in the same timeframe as the Skyline Trail replacement to minimize disruption on the south side of the river. Funding includes a $50,000 donation from Pennies from Heaven Foundation, continued support for the summer concert series from Safe Harbor Credit Union, and proceeds from Pure Ludington BRRRewfest 2026, which will directly support the amphitheater improvements.

See Ludington State Park


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"Rock Snot" Found in Michigan

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rock snot (photo by Thorney- Creative Commons)

from Bridge Mi

In the summer of 2015, "rock snot" was found in the Upper Manistee River, which should have been cold and clear trout waters. "Rock snot" is the nickname given to Didymosphenia geminata and also shortened to didymo. It is a diatom that coats rocks and branches with an unpleasant-looking slime. After the 2015 discovery, it bloomed again in 2021.

It has not yet been determined if the organism is native or invasive in Michigan. No one even knows what causes the blooms.

Didymo can temporarily ruin fishing habitat and make recreation unpleasant. Jo Latimore, aquatic ecologist, outreach specialist and director for Michigan State University’s Extension Center for Lakes and Streams, says “We’re worried about it because, even if it was here all along, it sure is acting differently than it was before. Even if it is a native species, it may be an indicator that something is out of whack in these waterways.”

Cells have been found on the Manistee and Jordan Rivers in west Michigan, and also on the Au Sable and St. Mary's Rivers. It reproduces asexually, so a single cell can start a colony.

It is not a hazard to human health, but is unsightly. The stalk can attach to rocks, plants, or other submerged surfaces. When it divides, eventually a mass of branching stalks forms. This slime is primarily polysaccharides and protein, forming complex, multi-layered structures that are resistant to degradation.

See Didymosphenia geminata at Wikipedia


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Cold Weather Probably Won't Reduce Ticks

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deer tick (photo from the US Agricultural Research Service)

from a news article by Michigan Public Radio

Michigan is home to more than 20 species of ticks, but the cold winter probably won't reduce the upcoming summer supply. Jean Tsao is an associate professor of fisheries and wildlife at Michigan State University. She studies ticks.

Tsao says there is plenty of leaf litter, and the heavy snow also insulates the ticks.

Black-legged ticks (deer ticks) are usually the first to emerge. Expect them around mid-March. The moisture level actually affects tick populations more than a cold winter. If the warmer months are dry, ticks tend to hunker down in the litter to stay moist.

A new problem is that the Lone Star tick was identified in Kalamazoo County in 2022. Bites from this tick can trigger a condition that makes the victim allergic to red meat. It appears they are spreading to other parts of the state.

There has been one recorded death from this tick-caused allergy, a man in New Jersey in 2024. Known as alpha-gal syndrome, it causes abdominal distress, hives, or anaphylactic shock. The syndrome produces a reaction to the alpha-gal sugar naturally occurring in mammalian meat.

See Alpha-gal syndrome at Allergy and Asthma Network


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Ludington Makes Campspot Top 12 List

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Big Sable lighthouse at Ludington State Park(photo by jhy)

from Campspot.com

Ludington State Park, Michigan, was in the top 12 camping destinations in the United States, as calculated by Campspot.

To identify the top destinations for Together-Trips in 2026, Campspot used a two-part approach combining real-time search trends with past booking behaviors. They started by identifying the most-searched destinations for 2026 travel across the Campspot platform—places already capturing traveler interest for the year ahead. From there, they evaluated those destinations using three key behavioral filters based on 2025 bookings:
• Group Travel Volume- Cities with a high percentage of bookings that included multiple campsites or 3+ campers, signaling trips designed around togetherness.
• Length Of Stay- Destinations with the most bookings of 3 or more nights, offering campers the time and space to form deeper bonds and spontaneous connections.
• Year-Over-Year Growth- Locations showing the largest increases in either booking volume or average group size, reflecting growing cultural momentum.

The winners in the Midwest Region were Waterville, Minnesota, Eagle River, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan. High occupancy and long‑stay stats propelled Ludington into the rankings. Its expansive Lake Michigan beaches, iconic lighthouse and dune‑lined Ludington State Park make it perfect for multi‑family camping trips.

See an article on the topic in Grand Rapids Magazine


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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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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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Calvin Announces Summer Nature Camps

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Calvin Nature Camp logo (from Calvin University)

from Calvin University

Registration for Summer Nature Camps for kids will open on Friday, January 30. These camps are offered by Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Camp week themes for ages 6-11:
Wet & Wild - wetland ecosystems, aquatic creatures
Time Travel - dinosaurs, mastodons, indigenous land care--explore history at the Preserve
Looking Up - weather & climate
Down to Earth - Rocks, minerals, soil, roots, bugs, microbes, fungi and more.

Middle School Stewards Camp, age 12-14 - hands-on learning, develop leadership and naturalist skills.

Other details:
-Tuesday thru Thursday, 9 AM - 4 PM
-Cost: $175 per camper, per week
-27 spots available for each week
-Camper shirt included
-2 snacks provided; camper brings lunch

The Calvin Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens is a one-of-a-kind oasis in the city of Grand Rapids. The preserve’s 100+ acres of native plants and natural habitats offer boundless opportunities to explore and connect with nature. Come enjoy wandering our trails, enroll in a class or educational program, or just sit and relax. This incredible resource is open to all who wish to join us as we conserve, restore, protect, and appreciate the wonder of creation.

See more at Calvin Ecosystem Preserve


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Holland to Build Bike Park for Kids

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bicycle park concept (photo from Velo Kids)

from a news article at Fox 17 News

The city of Holland, Michigan will open Phase I of a bicycle park for kids in 2026. The park will feature a pump track, which is designed to help young riders develop cycling skills and have fun in the outdoors using muscle power.

Emily Bierma, Communications and Development Manager for Velo Kids says that kids need to have dedicated spaces that encourage physical activity and risk taking. Velo Kids is one of the collaborators on the project.

The park is to be built north of Unity Bridge in Holland. It will be open year round and will be free to use. Bicycles will be available for those who do not have their own. It connects to the existing skate park and Window on the Waterfront without the need to cross any streets.

The city of Holland, Velo Kids, Park Township and the Outdoor Discovery Center are working together to raise money and to design and build the park.

See concept designs or donate at GiveButter


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DALMAC Bike Tours 2026 Announced

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bicycle rider in Michigan (photo from DALMAC)

from DALMAC

2026 is the 55th Dick Allen Lansing to MACkinaw (DALMAC) Bicycle Tour! The DALMAC is Michigan’s annual, fully supported, epic end-of-summer bicycle camping tour. Routes wind northward from Michigan State University on country roads and through quaint small towns, ending in historic and beautiful Mackinaw City.

DALMAC is one of the oldest, lowest cost, all-volunteer-run bicycling tours in the country, celebrating its 55th year in 2026. DALMAC is about the fun of bicycling and sharing the roads! DALMAC originated in 1971 when former state Rep. Dick Allen challenged his friends, colleagues, and constituents to “ride all the way to the bridge” to prove that bikes and cars could share Michigan roads safely. DALMAC seeks to develop an awareness of bicyclists and their needs among the citizens of Michigan, to promote bicycling as a healthy means of transportation and recreation, and to encourage wider use of bicycles. DALMAC is organized and staffed by volunteers of the Lansing-based Tri-County Bicycle Association (TCBA)

Registration will open for the 2026 event on February 14.

From Lansing to the Bridge is basically up the middle of the state, but there is an east and west choice. This year's routes are:
• 5-Day West – 325 Miles
• 5-Day East – 286/312 Miles
• 5 Day Gravel – 306/333 Miles
• 4-Day West – 322/402 Miles
• 3-Day East – 169/195 Miles
• 2-Day East – 104/130 Miles
• 2-Day Trail – 84 Miles

Full maps, amenities (there are many), and requirements can be found at the web site.

See DALMAC


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Buckhorn Dam to be Removed in 2026

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Buckhorn Dam (photo from the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly)

compiled from several sources.

In Mecosta County, in the village of Paris, Michigan, the deteriorating Buckhorn Dam near the mouth of Buckhorn Creek will be removed in 2026. The Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA) has announced that funding for restoration of Buckhorn Creek has reached the goal of raising $2.26 million. This amount covers all aspects of the project from pre-planning to completion.

The White Pine multi-use trail passes over the dam, and this will be replaced with an 80-foot bridge. The bridge must be built to standards that will support heavy trail maintenance equipment and emergency vehicles.

Removal of the dam will reconnect the creek with the Muskegon River and restore fish passage up the creek. For years, the DNR has stocked brown and rainbow trout a short way downstream from this point on the Muskegon River. This will allow fish to find cool water refuge in summer months.

The White Pine Trail in that section will be detoured to streets during this process.

The project has taken five years to bring to fruition. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Mecosta County Park Commission, and the Friends of the White Pine Trail have collaborated. The dam was originally built to create a mill pond. MRWA director Paul Haan says the pond supplied ice to the nearby fish hatchery. Now the dam is badly deteriorated.

The 2.4 miles of Buckhorn Creek’s cold-water resources will be reconnected to the Muskegon River. The project is expected to be completed by November 2026.

See an article in the Lake County Star


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MDARD Requests Feedback on New Invasive Species Listings

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Japanese Barberry (photo by jhy)

a news release of Michigan DNR

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is inviting Michigan stakeholders to provide comments on proposed additions to the invasive plant species regulated in the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA)(1994) Part 413. MDARD is proposing these additions based on rigorous, scientific Weed Risk Assessments that indicated six invasive plant species could harm Michigan’s environmental, economic, and/or human health. Preventing the spread of invasive species is important to help safeguard the quality of Michigan ecosystems, the strength of Michigan’s economy, and the health of people in Michigan.

A Weed Risk Assessment is available for each of the proposed species:
• Common buckthorn
• Glossy buckthorn
• Callery pear [Bradford pear]
• Japanese barberry
• Water hyacinth
• Water lettuce

If the proposed species are added to the NREPA Part 413 Restricted and Prohibited lists, then it will be illegal to introduce, import, transplant, sell, or intentionally possess them in Michigan. However, a person isn’t considered to be in violation of the rules if they unknowingly have invasive species established on their lands or in waterways.

Please use the online survey to provide comments on the proposed additions to the Restricted and Prohibited lists by 11:59 pm EST on Monday, February 9, 2026. Your input is important and will help ensure that any regulatory changes are well-informed and appropriate. After the public comment period, MDARD will review all feedback and determine if any changes need to be made to this proposal. All changes will be presented to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.

To read more detail about each plant, please follow the link above and find links to a document on each species.

Take the Survey


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Elberta Acquires 16 Acres Lake Frontage for New Park

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concept drawing of the new park (graphic from Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy)

compiled from several sources

The village of Elberta, Michigan, is working to restore the former ferry terminal, train yards, and coal and fuel storage area of Ann Arbor Railroad into a public park and nature preserve. Train service was discontinued in the 1950s and the cross-lake ferry ceased operations in 1982.

The 35-acre property was purchased in 2024 by the Grand Traverse Regional Lake Conservancy from developers who failed to follow through on commercial plans for the site. About half of that land will be incorporated in the new plan. Lake Michigan frontage is 578 feet inside the breakwater, and an additional 3,100 feet of frontage is situated on Betsie Bay.

The purchase is being made by the city with $5.5 million from the Conservancy's donation and $5.3 million coming from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The village of Elberta applied for this grant in March 2025.

Site remediation will take place from the contamination of the industrial use. Fuels have been stored on the property since the 1890s.

Nine of the sixteen acres will be developed as the new park. The design is still under consideration, and public input will be critical. But it is expected the park will use "habitat-sensitive design" and include parking and restrooms, a paved fishing trail, and a bike trail. The village envisions a Betsie Valley Trailway connection between Frankfort and Elberta beach.

See an article from MLive


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Do You Need a WAG Bag?

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instructional video- how to use a WAG bag

compiled from multiple sources

For years the recommended method of dealing with human solid waste in the backcountry has been to bury it in a "cathole." However, this method is not suitable in some situations, particularly rocky terrain and deserts. Michigan doesn't have much of either of those, so why should we care?

WAG stands for Waste Alleviation and Gelling. It is basically a double bag that comes packaged with toilet paper, a germicical wipe, and a NASA-developed powder that gels human solid waste and makes it inert and deodorizes it. One bag is large enough to spread between rocks or branches and easily "do your business." You then add the gel, wrap it all up in the smaller, puncture-resistant outer bag, and dispose of it when returning to civilization. Some sources say you can dispose of it in any trash can. Others list recommended drop-off sites. There is debate as to whether the bags will eventually break down in landfills.

Because of a huge increase in backcountry visits, many places in the U.S. West now require their use. Some national parks are providing them free to hikers. The requirement is usually to have one WAG bag per person per day. Mt. Everest (and other peaks) climbers are now required to use them.

On Mt. Whitney, they have been a requirement since 2006.

Some studies show that burying waste doesn't really break it down well. And human waste is likely to contain food-additive chemicals and medicines that can spread to the environment. Pathogens can remain active for over a year.

Is there a place for WAG bags in eastern forests? Probably. Burying waste in the winter if the snow is deep can be problematic. There are environments even in the East that are best characterized as "rocky."

Maybe keeping one in the day pack during the winter would be a sensible idea. Also in the non-frozen seasons for those locations where you just can't find a place to dig a hole (roots, rocks, water too close like in wetland areas).

Cost per set runs about $3.

See a good article on the topic from Atlas and Boots


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Hope in the Story from Mentor Marsh

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seed heads of Phragmites australis (photo by from a video by the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative)

based on a story from Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative



All too often, you may have seen stands of tall tan grass dominating marshes and crowding out all other plants. Perhaps you wondered if this was a healthy ecosystem, and if something should be done.

If what you have noticed is Phragmites australis (frag-MY-teez) it's a biological disaster. Not many places are working on solutions. But the city of Mentor, Ohio, near Clevland has set an example that could be followed elsewhere.

Mentor Marsh, located in north-eastern Ohio is a success story at removal of the invasive and aggressive Phragmites grass. It forms dense mono-cultures, out-competing native plants.

The marsh covers approximately 800 acres. Beginning in the 1960s, the dumping of waste from a nearby salt production facility increased the salt levels in a tributary stream. Since Phragmites will tolerate salt water, it moved in, quickly displacing native vegetation in Black Brook Creek which flows into the marsh, a former channel of the Grand River.

Phragmites grows so densely packed that the dead stalks become a fire hazard. Since the 1980's there have been twelve major fires at the site, threatening nearby homes. The most recent fire, in 2013, destroyed the boardwalk by which people could access the marsh. When that was rebuilt, workers cleared Phragmites from a ten-foot buffer on each side of the pathway. Native plants quickly returned to this space.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History manages the marsh. In collaboration with Lake County Soil and Water Conservation district, plans were drawn up to restore the entire site. Over subsequent years, an approved herbicide was both sprayed on the plants, and hand applied. Spraying gives better results with more even application, preventing localized high dosages. Low dosages protected sensitive wildlife. After the plants were dead, marsh buggies were used to reach all areas and remove the Phragmites.

Over 200 million native-plant seeds were then introduced, both by helicopter and by hand.

Biodiversity has returned, both of plants and wildlife. Ongoing monitoring will assure that the Phragmites does not return.

There is a native Phragmites that is not aggressive, but it's seldom found anymore since P. australis has spread throughout the United States.

Watch a 2-minute video of the transformation of Mentor Marsh:




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