Support America the Beautiful Act Today

graphic from American Hiking Society

from the American Hiking Society

BREAKING NEWS and ACTION ALERT!

With the support of 63 million hikers across the country, American Hiking Society applauds the unanimous passage of the America the Beautiful Act (S.1547) by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The leadership of Sen, Daines, Sen. King, Ranking Member Heinrich, and Chairman Lee Chairman to come together in a bipartisan way exemplifies how public lands and the outdoors unify us all.

The original Great America Outdoors Act has been a massive success, generating $4.5 billion in economic impact and restoring 1,500 critical projects. The America the Beautiful Act will expand on that victory — upgrading visitor recreation experiences, funding projects in every corner of the country, and driving economic growth in communities nationwide.

There is no better way to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary this year than by investing in the public lands that unite us all.

TAKE ACTION! Hikers need to make their voice heard by sending a message to urge the Senate and House of Representatives to get this to the President's desk and signed into law by July 4.”

— Tyler Ray, Senior Director for Programs and Advocacy, American Hiking Society

Send a message


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Oak Savannah Research by Grand Valley

prescribed burn (photo from the Land Conservancy of West Michigan)

from Land Conservancy of West Michigan

Grand Valley State University students in Michigan under Professor Priscilla Nyamai have been studying two sites on Land Conservancy of West Michigan nature preserves. Their research is being conducted to determine the best ways to restore Oak Savannah ecosystems.

Oak savannas are open-canopy habitats with larger but fewer trees and shrubs. More sunlight reaches the ground and the plant community on the ground is diverse. Many such areas were common in Michigan, but a century of fire suppression has resulted in denser forests and a change in the ecosystem.

GVSU has been doing research at Bradford Dickinson White and Brower Lake nature preserves to restore oak savannahs. They are comparing prescribed burns with mechanical thinning. Both result in more open areas, and the students are researching which method results in the best savannah ecosystem.

So far their results indicate that treatment by any method takes time to produce the desired results, and seeding the sites with desirable plant materials is often needed.

This collaboration of a college with a land manager is yeilding valuable information for successful future restoration projects.

Ecosystem responses to ecological restoration treatments of prescribed fire and tree girdling reveal mixed outcomes in two degraded oak savanna communities in West Michigan, USA is available, and the abstract can be read at no cost.


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Report Lily Leaf Beetles to MSU

lily leaf beetle (photo from MSU)

from an article at Click on Detroit

The lily leaf beetle, also called scarlet leaf beetle, was introduced into North America around 1940. By 1992 it had spread across New England, and was confirmed in Michigan in 2016.

It attacks plants in the Lilium and Frittilaria families which include oriental lilies, frittilaria, hosta and a few other plants in the Lily family including Solomon's Seal and possibly Swamp Milkweed. However, day lilies are not at risk. The beetle larvae can completely devastate a plant.

Adults burrow into the soil near their host plants and wait until the next year to emerge and lay eggs.

There is now a significant population in southeast Michigan. Michigan State University Extension is seeking reports of sightings to determine where the insects have spread.

MSU is looking into a biological control program used by the University of Rhode Island that introduces a parasitic insect that targets the larvae of lily leaf beetles.

Any sightings of this insect should be reported, preferably with pictures of plant damage to MSU. See link below. Individual beetles can be killed by dropping into soapy water.



Report Lily Leaf Beetle to the Midwest Invasive Species Network


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Lake Michigan Claims Two More Lives

Lake Michigan beach at Ludington (photo by jhy)

a news release of Bridge Michigan

Two young men drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend. A Grand Rapids man died trying to rescue an Illinois man off a pier in the Pigeon Lake channel in Ottawa County, according to the Grand Rapids man’s father.

Lake Michigan is consistently the deadliest of the Great Lakes. It claimed 36 lives last year — including at least five in Michigan — according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. The next deadliest, Lake Erie, killed 19 people.

Before the drownings over the weekend, Lake Michigan had killed eight people — including one in Michigan — this year, twice as many as the next-deadliest, Lake Ontario.

A number of drownings in recent years prompted South Haven to bring back lifeguards this year for the first time in a quarter-century. Lifeguards there just saved the mayor’s husband who had a medical emergency on the beach.


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

More about Alpha-Gal Syndrome

lone star tick ((photo by James Gathany, Public Health Image Library, public domain)

from The Daily Mining Gazette

The meat allergy potentially caused by the bite of the Lone Star tick is on the rise. Here's more information.

Alpha-gal syndrome is not caused by a bacteria or a virus. It is an allergic response of the human immune system to the alpha-gal -- short for galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose -- sugar molecule

If this sugar is ingested, it is harmless. In fact, the molecule is present in the meat of most mammals, but not primates or humans.

The problem is that it's present in the saliva of certain ticks, notably the Lone Star tick which has been making its way northward, and has been found in southern Michigan. When one of these ticks pierces human skin, an allergic response is triggered. Symptoms can increase over time.

After a person develops the antibodies, eating red meat (and occasionally dairy products) can cause hives, diarrhea and itchiness. Seafood and poultry do not trigger the response. Depending on the severity of the reaction, this can be life-threatening.

Although the usual "treatment" is to simply avoid red meat, the FDA approved a drug in 2024 that can reduce the symptoms of the reaction. Also, there is a genetically-modified pork on the market that does not contain alpha-gal. Currently, about 450,000 Americans have the syndrome.

See more at Wikipedia


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Thurston Park in Antrim County to Get Facelift

family fishing at Thurston Park (photo credit uncertain)

from Central Lake

The village of Central Lake in Antrim County, Michigan, is working to transform Thurston Park to make it accessible for all. Paddle Antrim, the Village of Central Lake, and Central Lake Lions are working together to enhance the park, a centerpiece of the community. These improvements will create safe, accessible pathways, connecting all visitors to the park's amenities.

The park is already an access point on the 100-mile Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Enhancing water trail access will strengthen the community's economic vitality, drawing visitors who support the small businesses that make up Central Lake's vibrant downtown. This is economic impact rooted in access, community, and stewardship.

Improvements underway include:
• A universally accessible canoe/kayak launch
• A boat wash station for protecting our lakes from invasive species
• Kayak/Canoe/SUP Rack
• Updated parking with ADA spaces and a loading/unloading zone near the kayak/canoe launch.
• Safe, accessible sidewalks through the park, connecting to downtown, the kayak launch and nearby courtesy docks, and to the pavilion and restrooms.
• Universally accessible picnic tables, bench, and drinking fountain.
• Universally accessible restrooms - including an adult changing station.
• Accessible parking spaces near the pavilion

Donations are being accepted.

See the full article and site plan at PatronCity


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Land Conservancy to Host Paddle on Pere Marquette River

paddling the Pere Marquette (photo by jhy)

a news release of Land Conservancy of West Michigan

Over the past 50 years, LCWM has worked with private landowners, community organizations and governmental bodies to permanently protect and care for the land. From planting native species to applying prescribed fire, LCWM has been committed to our land from day one, with conservation work that bridges its past, present and future.

Today, that work spans 165 properties across eight counties, totaling over 13,000 acres. Among them are beloved Michigan destinations such as Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, Upper Macatawa Natural Area and North Ottawa Dunes. Key to the success of these projects is a spirit of collaboration between multiple organizations, funders and the communities where these parks are established.

On June 6, The Land Conservancy of West Michigan (LCWM) celebrated its 50th anniversary with over 60 community members participating in bike rides exploring the "Eastern Glacial Corridor,” an ecologically unique region in Kent County, followed by a community celebration. The ride marked the second event of a three-part outdoor Exploration series honoring LCWM's conservation legacy and its ongoing mission to protect ecologically vital land across West Michigan.

“The second event of our Explorathon series exemplified our strategy of connecting people to nature and building a community of conservationists,” said Kim Karn, executive director of LCWM. “It was truly inspiring to celebrate the healthy habitats and protected lands along these trails with our community, and it is always exciting to see familiar faces return from previous events. We look forward to the next event in the series—a guided paddle on the Pere Marquette River later this summer.”

The final Explorathon event on Aug. 29 is set to include a guided paddle along the Pere Marquette River.

Register for the August 29 Paddle


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Indiana Dunes State Park Works to Reopen Trails

Indiana Dunes map (graphic from Indiana Dunes State Park)

from Indiana Dunes State Park

Although this is located in Indiana, it's just barely not southwest Michigan. Due to the storms of the past week, it would probably be a good idea to check before visiting any park in southwest Michigan with plans to hike a particular trail.

Indiana Dunes State Park staff worked to clear nearly 20 trees in the park on Friday. At this time, all roads and trails are open with the exception of one stretch on Trail 2 (see photo). This location is impassable and unsafe. We are asking guests to cooperate by refraining from hiking this section until our crews have cleared the debris. We expect to complete this by the end of the day Monday, June 15th

See Indiana Dunes


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Grand Rapids Extending Riverwalk

Riverwalk construction (photo by Matt Witkos)

from Fox 17

Grand Rapids, Michigan, officials say the primary goal of the Riverwalk is to build a connection throughout the community. This new section will complete trail from Riverside Park to Fulton Street providing non-motorized connections between many businesses, recreation and entertainment venues.

The original plan was for the trail to be partially completed this spring, but the timeline is now pushed to autumn. Custom playground equipment is on order, and an all-season pavilion is being added.

The trail will also serve as a flood buffer from the Grand River.

A future project could connect the trail to the new Acrisure Amphitheater. This would be a part of the proposed Three Towers downtown development.

See more about the Grand Rapids Riverwalk


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Ottaway Crossing Footbridge is Open

ribbon cutting on Ottaway bridge (photo from Grand Traverse Conservation District)

from the Grand Traverse Conservation District

The Ottaway Crossing Footbridge in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, is now open.

Spanning 160 feet across the Boardman-Ottaway River at the former Sabin Dam site, the bridge provides a vital connection between miles of popular recreational trails within the Natural Education Reserve and the broader regional trail network.

The footbridge connects the Boardman River Nature Center with the 24-mile Boardman/Ottaway River Trail, to a larger loop featuring the: Boardman Lake Loop Trail, the North Country Trail, the Vasa Pathway, and Brown Bridge Quiet Area Trails

Named Ottaway Crossing in recognition of the river’s original name and the region’s Indigenous heritage, the bridge represents an important milestone in the ongoing restoration of the Natural Education Reserve. It complements years of restoration work, including riverbank stabilization, habitat improvements, and the planting of thousands of native trees and shrubs, helping transform the property into one of Northern Michigan’s premier outdoor destinations. This project would not have been possible without the generosity, partnership, and dedication of countless supporters, funders, volunteers, and community partners. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life and joined us in celebrating the bridge’s opening.

You are invited to visit the Natural Education Reserve, explore the trails on both sides of the Boardman-Ottaway River, and experience the new Ottaway Crossing for yourself.

See Grand Traverse Conservation District


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

FDA Expands Sunscreen Ingredient List

chemical structure of bemotrizinol (graphic by ChemDoc 2010)

compiled from several sources

For the first time in 20 years the list of ingredients allowed in sunscreen products in the United States has been expanded. Bemotrizinol has been sucessfully used in Europe, Australia, and part of Asia for many years. By the end of 2026, consumers in the US will be able to find products with this chemical.

All previously approved products here are effective against only UVA or UVB rays. Sunscreens typically contain a mixture of chemicals that will block both. UVA causes wrinkles and aging of the skin while UVB causes sunburn. However, bemotrizinol blocks across the UV spectrum.

Bemotrizinol shows low levels of absorption through the skin which has been a concern with some other sunscreen ingredients, although there has been no clear determination whether this causes harm. For example, oxybenzone, a currently approved chemical has been detected in blood at 515 times the FDA’s threshold of concern after a single weekend of application. It is also highly photostable, breaking down much more slowly than other products.

It has been approved in Europe for the past 26 years.

See an article from NBC


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Nunica Junction Ribbon Cutting June 16

poster from Friends of the North Bank Trail

from Friends of the North Bank Trail

The Friends of the North Bank Trail are folks dedicated to developing a non-motorized rail trail from Grand Haven/Spring Lake to Grand Rapids. They invite the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 16, 2026 at 4:00 pm. This is in Nunica, Michigan at 16980 N. Main St, at the North Bank Trail Junction Trailhead. There will be brief remarks by various people.

In 2025, the Friends group provided a $250,000 grant to Crockery Township to assist in funding the restoration of two railroad trestles over Crockery Creek. The grant was made possible through private donations from generous donors that have supported the North Bank Trail for many years. These two historic trestles one mile east of Nunica were once part of the Grand Trunk Railroad line that ran from Grand Haven to Detroit.

The trestles have been improved to allow pedestrian and bicycle access over the creek offering wonderful views of the flowing water and surrounding forest. The pathway to the trestles will remain a natural surface at this time.

See North Bank Trail


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Superior Maximus: Live Dive

freshwater hydra (photo from Inspired Planet Productions)

from watching the video

Just a few days ago, the Superior Maximus: Live expedition had weather conditions which allowed the team to send a tethered robot to the deepest place in Lake Superior- in all the Great Lakes. It is 1300 feet below the surface of Lake Superior, and had not been visited for 40 years when a small research submersible traveled to the depths. The site is about 35 miles north of Munising, Michigan.

The video is not edited, but is recorded in real time, so what you see is what they saw. A few kinds of fish and other wildlife were found. At those depths, there are no plant materials because of the lack of light.

Although this was not like seeing a tropical reef, it's fascinating because so little is known about life at the depths where the temperature hovers just above freezing, and the pressure is about 40 times what it is at the surface.

Other expeditions have been recorded and can be found at the Hidden Depths channel on YouTube.

See Superior Maximus: Live


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Plainfield Charter Township's Strategy for Trail Funding

Plainfield Township trails (graphic from Plainfield Charter Township)

from Plainfield Charter Township

Non-motorized trails in Plainfield Charter Township, Kent County, Michigan have been funded since 2016 by a tax millage. This includes the Jericho Trail, Rockford Trail, South Rogue River Trail, Jupiter Trail, Township Hall Connector, and the Rogue River Meadows Connector to the White Pine Trail. These trails give residents safe, convenient ways to walk, bike, and explore close to home. In the past ten years this millage has resulted in $6.4 million spent on trails.

This August, Plainfield Charter Township voters will be asked to decide whether to renew the Non-Motorized Public Trails and Recreation Areas Millage—the same millage that helped create these nearly nine miles of paved trails connecting the community.

The proposal keeps the millage at its current rate. There is no increase in the amount taxpayers would pay. The renewal would help protect and maintain the trails the community has already built together.

See more at Plainfield Charter Township


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Teamwork Reopens Manistee River Loop Trail

Spirit of the Woods volunteers (photo by Berny Barnes)

from the Manistee News Advocate

Heavy flooding this spring closed the Manistee River Side of the popular Manistee River Trail/ North Country Trail loop. This 23-mile loop is heavily hiked, being a perfect length for weekend backpackers. The MRT is on the east side of the Manistee River, while the NCT section is on the west.

Both sides were affected by many downed trees from a snowy winter and spring wind storms.

Forest Service staff worked hard to reroute severely damaged portions of the MRT side while Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association volunteers removed the obstacles on the NCT side. The complete loop is now open.

Read the full article at the link above.


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Method May Be Effective against Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed trying to grow through hardware cloth (photo from Japanese Knotweed Solutions, Ltd.)

from Vermont Invasives

Vermont Invasives suggests a non-chemical way to kill small stands of Japanese Knotweed, Fallopia japonica. Japanese Knotweed aggresively forms dense mats of vegetation that crowds out any other plant, stealing nutrients and diversity. (the editor of GOTC calls it the "Kudzu of the north.")

If you don't have acres of knotweed to eradicate, this method has proved effective in Great Britain.

Buy hardware cloth (metal mesh) with half-inch squares. In early spring, clear off the dead stalks and detritus from previous years. Lay the hardware cloth over the growth area and stake it down firmly.

As the new shoots push up through the metal mesh, they will grow and soon be girdled and die. The plant will attempt to send up new shoots. Same result. Eventually, the carbohydrate stores in the rhizomes will be depleted and the plant will die.

Total control can still take multiple years, and you have to make sure new shoots don't escape the sides of the mesh, but it is a low-risk, and safe method of treatment.


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Brown Bridge Quiet Area to Expand

Brown Bridge Quiet Area (photo from GTRLC)

from Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

We are delighted to share exciting news that has been years in the making: Last week, the City of Traverse City officially closed on the acquisition of 528 acres adjacent to the Brown Bridge Quiet Area.

The conservation value of this property is extraordinary, with high-quality dry-mesic forest and riparian wetlands that provide critical habitat for rare and state-threatened species, including the Trumpeter Swan, Bald Eagle, Common Loon, Osprey, and Red-shouldered Hawk. It safeguards water quality within the Boardman/Ottaway River watershed, expands passive outdoor recreation, and provides future trail connections.

Traverse City voters overwhelmingly supported using the Brown Bridge Trust Fund to support the project, and the city was awarded a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant in 2023. After navigating the appropriations process, we're excited to say the finish line has finally been crossed, and it was worth every step. None of this would have been possible without the residents of Traverse City, who have shown time and again their commitment to protecting the places that make this region extraordinary — and without supporters like you, whose dedication to conservation makes this work possible.

While the property is now publicly owned, additional work must occur before the site can safely support regular public access. Stay tuned for updates on the City of Traverse City website.

See GTRLC Active Projects


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Mason County Multi-Use Trail Seeking Input

map of the proposed route (from MCMUT)

from Ludington Economic Development

Mason County, Michigan, has recently revived their county-wide trail plan. Priorities would be to connect Ludington State Park with downtown, downtown to Consumers Pumped Storage property, then on to Pentwater, and finally from Ludington to Scottville. This concept has been broken into these four segments.

The first section likely to be completed combines part of “Segment 1” (Ludington State Park to Downtown Ludington) with a section of “Segment 2” (Downtown Ludington to Mason County Campground), making a fundable section that connects two recreation assets (parks) and largely follows existing US Bike Routes. There are features to this segment that could be attractive to granting agencies.

Norm Cox of Greenway Collaborative has created a survey to solicit the community’s input on this first trail section. Feedback from this survey can help with grant writing in the fall to support funding of this initial section.

This all-ages-and-abilities route will enhance US Bicycle Routes 35 and 20. Please take a look at the Draft Plan for more details and then complete a brief Survey to share your thoughts and help shape the final plan.

Read the Draft Plan

Take the Survey


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Get Your Tickets for the Preserve Pedal

Preserve Pedal poster (from Land Conservancy of West Michigan)

a news release of Land Conservancy of West Michigan

As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we are hosting the Explorathon: a three-event series highlighting connected, protected natural lands and the impact of collaboration in conservation in West Michigan. The second installment in the series, the Preserve Pedal, is this weekend!

Cyclists will ride across Eastern Kent County’s rolling hills and along the Grand and Flat Rivers, with opportunities to stop at parks and preserves and learn about the importance of protecting places where biodiversity can thrive.

Get your tickets for the Explorathon: Preserve Pedal on June 6, 2026!

Thank you to our sponsors, Grand Rapids Chair, Tim & Jane Stoepker, and Loose Spokes Bicycle Shop for helping make this event possible!

When: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 7:30 a.m.

Where: Bike begins at the Wittenbach Wege Center in Lowell, Michigan Choose Your Route

We will offer three different routes: a 7-mile, 25-mile, and 50-mile ride with stops to highlight parks, preserves, and the partnerships that make keeping nature nearby possible.

Ride on your own or join a group ride and bike in community! Choose from four different guided and paced groups.

This is a non-competitive, self-guided ride. Check in at any time during the registration hours and ride at your own pace. If you’re interested in riding with community and receiving some extra naturalist interpretation along the way, join a group ride! Learn more when you purchase your tickets. Tickets are required to attend.

Learn more and buy your tickets on our website


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Alpena County Nature Preserve Nearing Fundraising Goal

Potter's Point (photo by Sarah Harding Real Estate)

from Up North Live

Chris Engle, the communication associate for Huron Pines, says they are attempting to protect 41 acres on the Lake Huron shore. The parcel includes Potter's Point and Misery Bay.

This is located just south of the city of Alpena, Michigan.

$1.1 million have been raised to date, but they need $1.5 million to make the purchase and protect the land.

The property will become a nature preserve with walking and paddling opportunities, accessible to everyone. They hope to complete the fundraising by the end of this summer, and then there will be some preparations that will need to happen before it will be open for public use.

See Huron Pines


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Hiker Rescued from Whaleback Natural Area

rescue in operation (photo from Leland Township Fire & Rescue)

from WOOD TV

A hiker who suffered a medical emergency in the Whaleback Natural Area on Tuesday was located and extraced by Leland Township Fire and Rescue.

Whaleback Natural Area is in the Leelanau Peninsula north of Traverse City, Michigan.

The hikers exact location was pinpointed, and the rescue crew was able to travel directly to the site. However, a hand carry for extraction was required over difficult terrain. The rescue took over 90 minutes.

Cell and radio coverage was spotty, but the crew was able to summon help to carry the person to a waiting ambulance. The hiker was transported to Munson Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.

Leland Township Fire and Rescue thanks friends and neighbors for their help!

See Whaleback Natural Area


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

ID that Engorged Tick

engorged ticks (graphic from Michigan Health Department)

partially from American Lyme Disease Foundation

If you discover a tick on you that has already feasted, it's always a good plan to save the tick in a zip-seal plastic bag so you can take it to your doctor.

This chart may help you identify which type of tick has bitten you.

After tick removal, monitor the bite site over the next few weeks for any signs of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses, such as a rash or fever. Not all ticks carry disease, and not all tick bites will result in disease. However, if you have concerns or symptoms develop, consult with a healthcare provider. They may advise you based on the type of tick, your geographical area, the duration of attachment, and the local prevalence of tick-borne illnesses.


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Extra- Special Free Karner Butterfly Tour Sunday!

graphic from Bigelow Creek Nature Preserve

a news release of Bigelow Creek Nature Preserve

Witness the Magic of the First Flight of Karner Blue Butterflies, a federally endangered species who calls our Oak Savannahs home.

From 10 am - 1 pm on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Bigelow Creek Nature Preserve in Newaygo, Michigan, which is normally closed to the public, will be hosting free tours to see the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly and its habitat.

Join us at Bigelow Creek Nature Sanctuary, MNA's newest property in Newaygo County, for a guided Karner Blue Butterfly flight tour. Walk the land with local naturalists, learn how this endangered butterfly depends on native habitats, and see firsthand what careful stewardship looks like on the ground.

Your registration supports the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition’s work to protect and restore native ecosystems across our county. This small-group tour offers time for questions, quiet observation, and connecting with the land we share.

You must sign up in advance.

Register for a ticket


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Clearing the Pine for Paddlers

clearing the Pine River (still extracted from video by Hoxeyville Outfitters and Pine River Paddlesports)

compiled from several sources

The Pine River has some of the fastest navigable water in Michigan and two Northern Michigan outfitters, Pine River Paddlesports Center and Hoxeyville Outfitters, spend time each spring clearing downed trees from the waterway.

But this year, they added a new strategy. In addition to cutting from shore or from a canoe, they are repelling from a rope suspended above the river down to chainsaw large trees. The spring flooding in Michigan has left a larger than usual amount of debris, and the outfitters expect the work will continue all summer.

The goal is to make the river as safe as possible for paddlers. They state that personal safety as they do the clearing is a priority, and the work is potentially dangerous. However, they don't want users to be surprised by a sudden obstacle when they round a bend in the river.

Owners, Jacob Miltner and Rylie Gates, say they have decades of combined experience doing work like this. Each year they clear about 45 miles of the Pine River. Except for the repelling, the two businesses do this work every spring. Few people have known what they do to keep the river clear.

They carefully plan how to approach each obstruction. This is not something the average person should try.

See the full video at 9 and 10 News


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

North Country Trail Association Introduces New Executive Director

Kate Hagner (photo from the NCTA)

a news release of the North Country Trail Association

Editor's note- With nearly 1200 miles of North Country Trail located in Michigan, about half in the Lower Peninsula, NCT news is definitely Get Off The Couch news.

The NCTA welcomes Kate Hagner, the North Country Trail Association’s new Executive Director. Mid-June, she will begin leading the Association from her home in Vermont.

Kate comes from nearly 20 years of service with the Student Conservation Association. Most recently, she was the Senior Director for Enterprise Operations, providing organizational leadership and aligning systems, processes, and teams to support strategic growth, program effectiveness, and mission impact. She led in other management and director roles for 12 years prior. Kate holds a B.A. in English from Smith College and an M.A. in English and Writing from the University of Texas.

“I’ve lived in Minnesota, upstate New York, and now Vermont – places all connected to the geography of this trail,” said Kate. “Meaningful outdoor experiences do not need to happen only in iconic destinations. I love that the North Country Trail is close to where so many people already live and work. Because of the NCTA, [the trail] is a thread connecting people, place, and time. As Executive Director, I will work to strengthen that thread – to protect it, expand it, and invite more people to see themselves as part of it.”

“I am confident that under Kate’s leadership, the NCTA will continue to thrive, strengthen partnerships, and build momentum toward the forever trail,” said Jan Ulferts Stewart, NCTA Board President.

Cheryl Kreindler will remain Interim Executive Director until Kate is fully onboarded.

You may post a welcome message to Kate at Kudoboard


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

See the Depths of Lake Superior, Live

Lake Superior Dive poster

from Great Lakes Now

We suggest to stay ON the couch for this event! However, you'll be able to watch an exploration of the depths of Lake Superior on June 6, 2026.

Join a livestreamed expedition to the deepest point in the Great Lakes! Explore a hidden underwater world from your own screen and have your questions answered LIVE.

More than 1,300 feet beneath the surface of Lake Superior lies the deepest point of the Great Lakes. It’s so deep that no light reaches it, and it has not been visited in 40 years.

Great Lakes Now is teaming up with freshwater explorers Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick to send a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to the bottom of Lake Superior. High resolution cameras will broadcast the descent in real-time and document the environment in unprecedented detail.

What We’re Hoping to See:
• The kiyi, a rare deepwater fish that is believed to live only in Lake Superior
• Alien looking deepwater sculpin
• Forests of colorful hydra
• The deepwater-adapted siscowet lake trout

The date and time of this livestream are subject to change due to weather conditions. Sign up for the Great Lakes Now newsletter to get reminders and updates delivered directly to your inbox: Great Lakes Now


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Students Restoring Scottville Nature Center

pond at Ed Malkowski Nature Center (photo by jhy)

from an article in the Ludington Daily News

The Ed Malkowski Nature Center in Scottville, Michigan, is a very small area with a pond and short path that was created a number of years ago by students from the Mason County Central Schools. Malkowski is a former principal.

Teacher Jacob Boone has been taking 8th-graders to the area to clean up the trails and begin to remove some of the invasive species. Some native plantings are being added.

A mini grant from the Mason County Youth Advisory Council has made the project possible. The trail is currently cleared. Some additional repairs will be done to the bridge over the small creek.

Boone says, "I'm trying to teach kids to respect the gift of nature... Helping to improve it is a great way to do that." The teacher stated that they even found trash cans thrown in the pond when they began work.

There is not a set end goal. Boone would like to keep improving the area by using it as an outdoor classroom and teaching resource. The trail is open to the public and the access is just south of the Johnson Road entrance to the school complex.

See Ed Malkowski Nature Path


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Brower Lake Nature Preserve Celebrates 50 Years

wild lupine in bloom (photo from Land Conservancy of West Michigan)

from Land Conservancy of West Michigan

At Brower Lake Nature Preserve in Kent County, Michigan, purple lupine is in bloom where less than ten years ago stood a monoculture of one non-native tree species: Scotch pine.

At this preserve, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan has been working to restore native oak barrens and oak-hickory forest habitat through selective forest thinning and prescribed fire. Year after year, as we watch habitat become more established, we see more biodiversity in the understory of this woodland. Each new blade and blossom is a heartening confirmation that we are heading in the right direction.

The path we are on is a long one, and we will need to keep showing up to keep our promise of protecting these places in perpetuity. As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary this year, we are taking a moment to appreciate how far we've come. Do yourself a favor: Take a walk at Brower Lake Nature Preserve and take it all in.

See Brower Lake Nature Preserve


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Man Arrested in Connection to Duncan Bay Nature Preserve Fire

Duncan Bay Nature Preserve fire (photo by Erik Galloway)

from Up North Live

The Duncan Bay Nature Preserve near Cheboygan, Michigan, burned Friday evening. The fire is 100% contained. The exact cause of the fire has not been released, but a 29-year-old man was taken into custody on Saturday.

Multiple fire departments battled the blaze, and aircraft were also used to drop water.

The Little Traverse Conservancy which manages the preserve says, "Thankfully no one was hurt and we understand a suspect has been detained. The trails and beach are accessible and we will be working to repair damages.”

UPDATE, May 27, 2026 Sean Huddleston, 29 was charged with arson, malicious destruction of property, and two counts of malicious destruction of a building. He is accused of intentionlly setting the fire which burned 40 acres in the preserve. He is being held on $1 million bond.

See Cheboygan Daily Tribune
And see Up North Live


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

M-20 Opens Over Lewis Farms Tunnel

M-20 Tunnel (photo from Oceana County Road Commission)

from Oceana County Press

While the actual tunnel will not be open for use for several more weeks, M-20 that passes over the pedestrian tunnel to Lewis Farms in Oceana County, Michigan, has reopened.

In addition to the tunnel, a right turn lane on M 20 for eastbound traffic to access 68th Avenue has been added. The road is widened, and a portion of 68th Avenue has been paved.

Although it appears complete, the tunnel is not yet open for pedestrian and tram use because the contractors are waiting for various electrical materials. A central divider fence separates foot traffic from the trams which will transport people from a parking area to Lewis Farms

See Pedestrian Tunnel Under Construction in Oceana County


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Rogue River Road Non-motorized Bridge Installed

Rogue River Road pedestrian bridge being installed (photo from Plainfield Township)

from M-Live

On Thursday, May 14, the final 175-foot section of the South Rogue River Trail in Kent County, Michigan, was lowered into place by cranes. This 10-foot-wide prefabricated steel bridge will parallel the Rogue River Road bridge.

The $800,000 bridge is the largest portion of the $2.2 million project aimed at connecting trails from Lake Michigan to mid-Michigan. This full segment is about two miles in length from the White Pine Trail to the Rogue River.

The South Rogue River Trail is part of the larger, multi-county project to expand the Grand River Greenway. This section is expected to open in a few weeks

See South Rogue River Trail Construction


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Red Cedar Water Trail Opens

paddlers on the Red Cedar River (photo from Bridge Michigan)

compiled from several sources

The Red Cedar River Water Trail connects Williamston, Michigan, to the Grand River in Lansing. The trail is about 23 miles long and passes through farms, forests, suburban areas, and recreational lands.

The upstream end of the trail is at Williamston in McCormack Park, and the final takeout is at River Street Park/ Sweeney's Landing on the Grand River. Some sections have rapids, and others are calm enough to allow a single put-in where paddlers can easily travel both upstream and downstream.

The designation comes as the result of efforts by the Rotary Club and the City of Williamston.

See a map of the route and public launch sites


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

DNR to Host Kirtland's Warbler Tours

Kirtland's warbler (photo from MI DNR)

a news release of Michigan DNR

Want to learn more about one of North America’s rarest songbirds? The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting two free tours of the Kirtland’s warbler and its jack pine habitat this spring in Grayling.

The outings will take place from 7-10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, and again on Saturday, June 13. The events start and end at the DNR’s Grayling (Michigan) field office, 1955 Hartwick Pines Road.

The tours will start with a short presentation detailing the Kirtland’s warbler history, past and current conservation status, and future management strategies. Once nearly extinct, the gray and yellow Kirtland’s warbler remains a state-threatened species, with about 95% of the bird’s world population nesting in northern Michigan.

Tour participants will then make a short drive to tour the jack pine habitat and observe the Kirtland's warbler. This involves a walk of about half a mile on a trail road. Bring sturdy footwear, binoculars, water and bug spray.

The events will take place rain or shine.

RSVP to DNR wildlife biologist Tim Riley at rileyt6@michigan.gov or (989) 370-7313.


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Nature Activity Books for Kids

graphic from Leave No Trace

from Leave No Trace

America’s 250th anniversary is a chance to look back at what we’ve built together — and commit to protecting it for the next 250 years. Leave No Trace has partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to launch a national campaign focused on caring for public lands, from local parks to national forests and open spaces across the country.

We’ve created free resources for young people, families, educators, and outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate, learn, and take action. Watch the campaign video, then explore and download youth activity booklets, posters, and social assets to share the message in your community.

There are two different workbooks that can be downloaded, free, at the link below.

See Leave No Trace


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Grand Rapids Students Take to the River

Grand Rapids student canoeists (still from a video by Spectrum News)

from Spectum News

For the eighth year, Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Schools has been giving students a chance to experience paddling on the Grand River. More than 900 young people have canoed this week, most for the first time in their lives.

The kids also rotate through manning land stations where they may monitor invasive plants, study native plants, test water quality and learn invertebrate counting, or even try boat building.

The land stations are operated by community partners who volunteer their time. This year's partners include Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., John Ball Zoo, the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, Camp Newaygo, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Environmental Health Bureau, and the City's sustainability and water departments.

Educators agree that this is a real opportunity for outdoor education. "Kids...can connect directly with the natural resources that surround our community and better understand their importance," stated School Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby. Teachers are enthusiastic and hope the program will continue


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Hantavirus Poses Greater Risk to Hikers than on Cruise Ships

deer mouse (photo from Maryland Biodiversity Project)

from Gear Junkie

While hantavirus is in the news of late because of severe illness on a cruise ship, it's really a greater risk to campers and hikers. The disease is caused almost exclusively from contact with the waste products, urine and feces, of rodents. Infection can come from particles entering wounds, or by breathing aerosols or dust.

Most cases in the US are transmitted by deer mice, but most rodents carry some strain of hantavirus. Although the death rate is high from the disease the CDC has tracked only about 30 cases per year for the past 30 years. Voles, shrews, bats, pigs, and cattle have all been noted to sometimes carry a hantavirus. In truth, the risk of contacting the virus is high, but simple cleanliness reduces the risk significantly.

94% of cases in the US have occurred west of the Mississippi.

Campers often use huts, shelters, outhouses, and register boxes where evidence of rodent occupation is obvious. There are simple things you can do to reduce your chances of contracting hantavirus:
• try to sleep elsewhere if you encounter mouse droppings or nests
• store your food in rodent-proof containers
• wear gloves and mask if cleaning areas where you find droppings or nests, and disinfect the areas.

See Hantavirus on Wikipedia


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Michilimackinac State Park Renovation Planned

park entrance (photo from the park website)

compiled from several sources

The 15-acre park between Colonial Michilimackinac and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse along the Lake Huron shoreline at the base of the Mackinac Bridge, Michilimackinac State Park, will be updated. This is Michigan's second-oldest state park, established in 1909.

The project is being described as a $3.5 million revamp. It will involve extensive updating, including landscaping, increased accessiblility, a pavilion for special events, a boardwalk along the Lake Huron shore for viewing the Mackinac Bridge, and a wedding venue pergola are planned. Irrigation will be installed. Interpretive panels will also be added.

The park is bounded on the west by Colonial Michilimackinc Fort, and the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse is on the eastern edge.

No timeline for the work has been established, but fundraising has begun

See Michilimackinac State Park


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

National Trails Day to be Fee Free in National Forests

Fee Free National Trails Day (photo from USFS)

a news release of US Forest Service

The U.S. Forest Service announced an additional 2026 recreation fee-free day on Saturday, June 6, in celebration of National Trail sDay, providing no cost use of all standard amenity recreation sites on national forests and grasslands.

"For National Trails Day in 2025, Forest Service trail managers, partners, and volunteers hosted 80 events, including 54 stewardship projects, engaging with more than 3,100 volunteers who maintained 173 miles of trail,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “We hope those who love Forest Service trails will join us at the trailhead on June 6, whether it’s volunteering to build new trails, pick up trash near a trailhead, participating in a nature walk, or taking advantage of the fee-free day benefits.”

Find a local National Trails Day event and join the nationwide movement.

See National Trails Day Events at American Hiking Society


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Manistee River Trail Re-Opens

working to open the Manistee River Trail (photo by Jaylene Marsh, USFS)

a news release of Manistee National Forest

The Forest Service has completed its evaluation and installed a few reroutes to the Manistee River Trail to protect natural resources.

Hikers are reminded to exercise caution around bluff edges and are asked to use established trail reroutes to protect natural resources.

Staff from the Cadillac/Manistee Ranger district worked together over three weeks to get the trail open for the busy recreational season picking up now.

After a few weeks of work, they were able to assess trailtread, remove trees blocking trails and establish some reroutes and puncheon to protect natural resources along the route.

Feedback is welcome to the Huron-Manistee NFs inbox. Email us at sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov. pictures, locations and a short narrative of what we are looking, and your thoughts.

Exercise extreme caution. Saturated soils have weakened the structural integrity of riverbanks while fast-flowing water undercut the bank's base, losing strength and creating the potential for collapse. High-velocity water and rapid water level drops created intense pressure, caused rapid erosion, sloughed off banks, creating landslides, formed "blowouts," new channels, and heavy sand deposits (drifts) in unexpected areas. Unpredictable conditions like these are unsafe and should be avoided at all costs.

Silt deposits in draining flood plains which can appear stable, can still be saturated soils not supporting weight, and subsequently can push water out, creating a vacuum that pulls you down and can entrap you.

See full report


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Become an Adventure Scientist to Save Trees

Butternuts (photo from University of Connecticut)

from Adventure Scientists

Help Protect Forest Health With Your outdoor adventures. Trees may be common, but healthy trees are becoming increasingly rare.

Healthy, diverse forests support wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and provide a refuge for you to hike, bike, and explore. But forests across the United States are under increasing stress from disease and a changing climate, quietly reducing forest resilience.

Finding healthy, resistant trees now is critical for future forests and can only happen at scale with outdoor volunteers like you.

Join Adventure Scientists to help guide reforestation efforts and protect your forests for generations to come.

People from a select number of states can participate to help save trees, and Michigan is on the list for both American Beech, Fagus grandifolia, and Butternut, Juglans cinerea. Opportunities include helping to locate healthy trees, recording data on tree health, aid in sampling efforts and more.

See Adventure Scientists for more details


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch