By Donna Iverson This spring, I plan to become a guerrilla gardener. I’ve dabbled in guerrilla gardening before. But this year, I plan to get more serious about it. What is guerrilla gardening? Basically, it is growing food or flowers in neglected public spaces. Like abandoned city lots. Or along public pathways, like old railroad lines. Or maybe a neglected area in your neighborhood. My role model for guerrilla gardening is Miss Rumphius. She is a fictional character created by Barbara Conney. The children’s picture book tells the tale of an older woman who roams her neighborhood planting lupine seeds. Her aim is to make the world a better place. Of course, the most famous American guerrilla gardener is Johnny Appleseed. He planted Ohio with apple seeds during the early 1800s. He also owned acres of apple orchards. My aim like Miss Rumphius is just to throw out a few plant seeds (native species) in abandoned neglected areas on my walks. Most likely, I will stick with annuals like zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, and larkspur. Although the native lupine, which is a perennial, is also tempting. Guerrilla gardening began in the 1960s in Berkeley, California (where else). Anti-war demonstrators planted trees on some empty property owned by the University of California. Today it is a public park. Guerrilla gardeners have various motives for their actions. Some want to beautify their neighborhoods. Others, like me, enjoy seeding urban areas with native plants to help pollinators which are threatened with extinction. Another motivation is to provide fresh veggies for those who live in food deserts. And like earlier guerrilla gardeners, some are motivated to protest land-use practices. Guerrilla gardeners whose motives were to provide free food have often evolved into community gardeners. Taking over vacant lots, they have transformed these neglected spaces with garden beds that grow fresh veggies. Near me, there are three community gardens. Two of these lots are owned by nearby churches and one by the City of Muskegon. This country is not the only one to sprout guerrilla gardeners. Guerrilla gardening is popular in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, South Korea and the UK. Organized guerrilla groups often come up with plans to transform neglected spaces. Some are as organized as community gardeners. Others may throw what are called seed bombs in blighted lots in the middle of the night. Others prefer to carry flower seeds in their pockets and just sprinkle a few where weeds predominate. ..along back roads or pathways. Final note: guerrilla gardeners should respect private property as it is illegal to sow seeds without permission.
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Land use update would affect state park-managed nonmotorized trails open to bicycles
Operation of Class 1 electric bicycles on state park-managed nonmotorized trails open to bicycles would expand under a proposed Michigan Department of Natural Resources land use change that could go into effect as early as this spring. Under current Michigan law, only Class 1 e-bikes – e-bikes that are pedal-assisted and can go up to 20 miles per hour – are allowed on improved surface trails, which are trails that are paved or consist of gravel or asphalt. Current law also allows for local entities to expand or further regulate e-bike usage in their respective communities. The proposed DNR land use change would expand allowable e-bike use to include Class 1 e-bikes on natural surface, nonmotorized trails on state park-managed land open to bicycles. In addition, the proposed change would allow operation of Class 2 e-bikes, which are throttle- and pedal-assisted and can travel up to 20 miles per hour, on both linear paved trails and state park-managed natural surface trails for mobility purposes as long as a cyclist had applied for and received a permit to do so. Currently, Class 2 e-bikes are allowed with a permit only on nonmotorized, natural surface trails (such as mountain bike trails). This expansion would not apply on wildlife or state forest land trails that are open to bicycles. Also, Class 3 e-bikes, which are pedal-assisted and have a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour, would remain prohibited on any state-managed land under the new policy. The 3,000 miles of nonmotorized state park-managed trails open to bicycles that would be affected by this proposed change may be viewed on the DNR’s interactive nonmotorized trail map. If the proposed change is approved, signage indicating allowable e-bike use would be placed at trailheads. “This change would make trails more accessible for people who may not have the physical ability to ride a traditional bike,” said Tim Novak, the DNR’s state trails coordinator. “This would include individuals living with disabilities, older adults and really anyone who wishes to experience some assistance as they ride a bicycle. Class 1 e-bikes require pedaling, providing a great health benefit to riders.” E-bike use in Michigan – and beyondAs e-bike use grows across the country, with many states approving areas for their use, the Michigan DNR’s decision to expand use on specific state-managed trails involved many months of research and discussion by DNR staff and trail user groups. “The DNR’s decision to move forward with this proposed land use change wasn’t based on a desire to be trendy, but rather on providing individuals with more recreation options while also being conscientious of our state’s natural and cultural resources,” said Nicole Hunt, regulatory unit manager with the DNR. Considering federal government recognition of e-bike use also was part of the process, Hunt said. “The federal government, recognizing the benefit of e-bikes for trail recreation, updated its federal grant funding regulations for nonmotorized, natural surface trail development to no longer prohibit use of e-bikes on trails developed with federal funds,” she said. The DNR also researched how other states are allowing e-bike usage. “We have benchmarked other states and local trail systems that allow e-bikes on natural surface, nonmotorized trails, and what we found was there haven’t been issues with conflicts or injuries or unnecessary wear and tear on our natural resources which would cause any reservation in expanding e-bike use,” Novak said. The Arkansas state park system stood out as it has a vast number of trails, including mountain biking trails, and has allowed e-bikes for years with no issues, Hunt said. DNR seeking public input A public survey about the proposed land use change is open through March 31, and results will be shared during the April 11 Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting. The proposed policy change will go before DNR Director Scott Bowen for action at the commission's May meeting, with any approved change going into effect immediately thereafter. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission, a seven-member public body whose members are appointed by the governor, conducts monthly, public meetings in locations throughout Michigan and has a portion of the meeting dedicated to items under the purview of the DNR's director. The April 11 meeting takes place at Lansing Community College, 600 North Grand Ave. in Lansing. The e-bike survey may be accessed directly at research.net/r/DNR-E-BIKE. “We look forward to receiving this important public feedback about this proposed policy change,” Novak said. “We are sharing this survey widely in hopes of receiving input from as many people and perspectives as possible.” Learn more about what qualifies as an e-bike in Michigan, the current e-bike policy on state-managed park land and survey details at Michigan.gov/DNR/Ebikes. Article and photo by Donna Iverson “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom stays these couriers from the completion of their tasks.” This decades old motto of the post office could also be said of a few farmer’s market vendors who offer their veggies outdoors throughout the winter. “We’re here from 0 degrees to 90,” said Jon Visser, of Crisp Country Acres. The Visser family keeps the farm stand at the Muskegon Farmers Market open all winter, every winter, no matter the weather. “We think it’s what our customers want,” Visser said. Our goal is to provide fresh homegrown vegetables harvested within a day or two of sale, he added. In March, those fresh vegetables include Potatoes, Beets, Carrots, Onions, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Kale, Parsnips, Turnips, Rutabagas, Radishes, Apples, and Frozen Blueberries. There were some pussy willow branches too. The Visser farm is located on 120th Ave in Holland. Another vendor who can be found outside all winter at the Muskegon Farmers Market is Kathy’s Produce of Ravenna. While, inside the market barn and out of the cold are many other food vendors, I prefer to shop with the farmers who brave the elements. For more info check out crispcountryacres.com. Both vendors are on Facebook. A free training on Prescribed Burns for habitat restoration will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 10am – 3pm. The program will be held at Brooks Township Hall, 490 Quarterline St, Newaygo 49337. Lunch, examples of prescribed fire equipment, and a field trip to local Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary are included. Stuart Goldman of the Michigan Nature Association will lead the program. Stuart is MNA’s Conservation Coordinator for lower Western Michigan, and manages the habitats and volunteers for the MNA’s Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary, Newaygo Prairie Sanctuary, and Brooks Township’s Coolbough Natural Areas in Newaygo County. “This training is for private landowners who need controlled fire for habitats and wildfire prevention, and for native habitat stewards and volunteers,” stated Stuart. “It will cover why controlled burns are needed to improve the health of native ecosystems and their species. We will stress the safety aspects of controlled burns, as well as when and how they should be used.” A second training will be held outdoors in early spring at Big Bluestem Farm, a native plant nursery near Bitely, MI. A controlled burn demonstration is planned for this next phase of training. “The Newaygo Region really needs a team of knowledgeable prescribed burn volunteers,” explained Katie Clark of NCEC. “This will be a great start in helping to inform landowners and community members on the importance of controlled fire on public and private lands, and in creating a volunteer Prescribed Burn Team for our area.” The Newaygo Region is home to native habitats such as oak savannas and the unique dry sand prairies. These are “fire-dependent ecosystems'', which means, according to the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council, that without the presence of fire they can disappear. Some fire-dependent ecosystems need to be burned every few years, while others need a burn only every decade. “We are eager to co-host this important first Prescribed Burn program,” states Sally Wagoner, Chair of the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition. “We invite anyone who has a need for prescribed burns on their property, who would like to volunteer for future controlled fires, or who are just interested in our local native plants and habitats to join us.” Registration is needed and can be accessed by going to NCEC’s Facebook site under “Events''. Registration can also be requested by emailing [email protected]. More information can be found at www.nc-ec.org, and questions can be directed to NCEC at 231-519-3419. The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition is a non-profit, volunteer run organization dedicated to supporting the beauty and sustainability of the Newaygo County Environment. Volunteer opportunities are available surrounding the focus areas of Youth Environmental Allies, 3R-Reduce-Reuse-Recycling, LOBO: Love Our Beautiful Outdoors, and Healthy Habitats. If interested, contact [email protected]. Beginning Friday, March 1, sport fishing guides operating in Michigan will need an inland guide license to take clients on guided trips on inland lakes, rivers or streams. The license is required for anyone guiding on any water except the Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters and bodies of water with a surface area of less than 5 acres. Great Lakes connecting waters refers to specific bodies of water in Michigan that connect the Great Lakes: the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River (beginning at the Fort Gratiot Light), Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River (beginning at the imaginary line extending due south of the Windmill Point Light, Wayne County, and ending at the imaginary east/west line drawn through the most southerly point of Celeron Island). An inland sport fishing guide can get a license by completing the following steps:
The resident license fee is $150, and a nonresident license fee is $300. The inland sport fishing guide license is valid for three years after the date it is issued. Captains who possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard-issued captain’s license will receive a license fee waiver. “This is a new statutory requirement for inland fishing guides, and DNR staff have been working to determine the best way to implement it for everyone’s ease of use,” said Brandon Kieft, assistant chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “As with any new regulatory requirement, it will take time to adjust to it. Our main focus during the early stages of this new program is to make sure that everyone who wants to operate as an inland fishing guide is aware of the need for this license.” License requirements To be eligible for a sport fishing guide license, an applicant must:
If you have questions about the DNR inland pilot’s license, contact the DNR Law Enforcement Division representative at your nearest DNR Customer Service Center. Mandatory reporting Beginning April 1, 2024, all licensed inland sport fishing guides must file an electronic report of their monthly catch activity for all trips that occurred on all waters except the Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters, and lakes or ponds with a surface area of less than 5 acres. Details about the reporting requirements are available on the inland fishing guides webpage. Guides who have questions regarding submitting monthly catch activity reports or how to obtain an inland sport fishing guide license can contact Kendra Kozlauskos at 231-330-2845 or [email protected]. This new program is in addition to the existing requirements for the Great Lakes charter boat program. Visit the Great Lakes charter boat program webpage for more information. |
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