 Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service Everything you need to know about cutting your own tree i the NationaL Forest
Cadillac, MICH., - Christmas tree permits have been available to purchase online through Recreation.gov since October 12, 2023. Details about designated cutting areas, dates, and types of trees that may be cut may be found on the Huron-Manistee National Forests Christmas Tree Permit webpage. Permits can also be purchased from our district offices between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, until December 22, 2023. “Venturing into a local national forest to find that special tree is an experience that creates treasured family memories and stories,” said USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “It is through these experiences that people establish important connections to the forest that can lead to a lifetime of adventures and instill a commitment to stewardship.” To purchase a Christmas tree permit, visit Recreation.gov and search for Huron-Manistee National Forests Christmas Tree Permits. It is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Visitors will also need to set up or log in to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction. Permits are $5 per tree with a maximum purchase of five trees per household. There is a $2.50 reservation fee applied at checkout. "For many families, bringing home a Christmas tree from Huron-Manistee National Forests is a cherished tradition carried on for generations by over 500 people annually," said Deputy Forest Supervisor Sierra Dawkins. “For families creating new traditions, a trip to the national forests to cut their own Christmas tree may be a thrilling experience as they discover the joy of hiking through the forest in search of the perfect holiday centerpiece.” Dawkins also stated that fourth graders with Every Kid Outdoors passes are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit and can apply by entering the pass or voucher number when purchasing a permit. Kids of all ages can download, color, and decorate their tree with a Christmas tree ornament coloring page for a fun, handmade addition to their tree. “Cutting a Christmas tree also improves forest health, helping to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. Removing these trees in designated areas helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide food for wildlife.” said Dawkins adding that forest health experts identify areas that benefit from thinning trees that tend to be the perfect size for Christmas trees.
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 Article by Donna Iverson Gardens offer many gifts in addition to food. In Georgia O’Keefe’s case, the garden grew her art. A new children’s picture book, called Gifts from Georgia’s Garden, tells the story. It offers a unique insight into the work of this artist/ gardener. The book’s subtitle is “How Georgia O’Keefe Nourished Her Art.” About 80 years ago in New Mexico, O’Keefe decided to grow a garden and paint what she grew. She grew flowers and began making oversized paintings of them. Her favorites were daffodils, irises, lilacs, poppies and hollyhocks. She said she wanted people to really look closely at the flowers. It was these oversized paintings that made her a famous artist, worldwide. O’Keefe also grew vegetables, including lettuce, leeks, chilis, carrots, leeks and chard. Garden herbs included parsley and lovage. Harvesting the vegetables, she prepared simple soups and salads for her friends. For dinner dishes, she offered tomato soufflés and chili enchiladas. While art was her main focus, it was the interplay between her garden and her painting that fueled her creativity. Born in 1887 and raised on a Wisconsin farm, O’Keefe declared at age 8 that she would become an artist. But it wasn’t until the 1940s when she moved to New Mexico and planted her garden, that her artistic career brought her national recognition. As early as 1945, she was practicing such gardening techniques as composting, companion planting, and water conservation. The book published this year was written by Lisa Robinson of Boston and illustrated by Hadley Hooper, who lives in Denver. If you are interested in gardening and or art, this is a wonderful book to share with children. And even adults will learn a lot about O’Keefe from this lovely picture book. You can likely find it in the children’s department of your local library, in the biography section.  Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette, aerial view- Photo by Steve Jessmore  An Eastern White Pine towers over the McDuffie Nature Preserve- Photo by Steve Jessmore Campaign Complete: Land Conservancy of West Michigan has reached McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve fundraising goal BITELY, Mich. (November 12, 2024) -- Thanks to a generous capstone gift from the Richard Hansen Foundation, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan has reached its fundraising goal for the new McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve in Bitely, Michigan. The campaign ends just as construction on the preserve’s trail system nears completion. “The close of 2024 brings with it some exciting milestones for McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve,” said Executive Director Kim Karn. “We are grateful to everyone who showed their support for the protection and ongoing care of this land, and especially to Richard Hansen and the Richard Hansen Foundation for bringing us over the finish line.” McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve protects 300 acres of hardwood forest and wetlands along the shores of the Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette River and McDuffee Creek. These high quality, cold-water rivers nurture trout, turtles and aquatic invertebrates. Porcupines, bobcats, black bears and wild turkeys are known to roam the preserve’s forests, and ruffed grouse can be heard drumming their wings among the aspens. Under the Land Conservancy’s ownership, the land is permanently protected and managed as a nature preserve. The preserve is open to the public for exploration at no cost. Over 200 donors showed their support for the permanent protection of the land and its transformation into a publicly accessible nature preserve. Nearly $700,000 was raised to fund the acquisition, protection, and ongoing care of the preserve. The project was funded in part by the Carls Foundation, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, Ducks Unlimited, the Fremont Area Community Foundation, the Richard Hansen Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The purchase was also made possible with support from a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant, a donation of the property value by the landowner, several donors, and a loan from the Land Conservancy’s own Land Acquisition Fund. The Land Acquisition Fund was created by generous benefactors to help the organization act quickly to take advantage of opportunities to protect natural land. The Land Conservancy held a fundraiser to pay back its Land Acquisition Fund, cover the costs of establishing public access features and create a fund to support the maintenance and restoration of the property in the future. McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve is the largest of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s 20 nature preserves. Thanks to the help of many volunteers, four miles of trail are being outfitted with boardwalks to keep feet dry and protect sensitive habitat while visitors traverse wetland areas. A bridge will be installed over the Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette River. The trails and amenities are slated to be completed in December 2024. Land Conservancy volunteers have helped remove invasive species, clean up debris from old hunting blinds, build trails and install boardwalks. “Volunteers have made McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve a welcoming place for visitors to explore,” said Conservation Director Justin Heslinga. “We are grateful for their hard work and look forward to continuing to collaborate with volunteers as we restore and care for the land.” The Land Conservancy of West Michigan is working to restore a degraded part of the land to oak savanna habitat, which will connect with similar restoration efforts happening on neighboring U.S. Forest Service land. This rare habitat type supports diverse communities of plants, wildlife, birds and insects, including the Federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The preserve offers explorers a variety of recreation opportunities. Visitors can hike the trails to witness views of the land’s lush forests and sparkling rivers, as well as sightings of birds and wildlife. Anglers are welcome to fish in McDuffee Creek and the Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette River. Beginning this year, archery hunters can hunt deer on the property through the Michigan DNR’s Hunting Access Program. Rules and regulations apply. Learn more about McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve and plan your visit on the Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s website. Make a donation to support the Land Conservancy’s efforts to permanently protect natural land here.  Sign kiosk at McDuffie Nature Preserve |
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