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.
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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 buzz@nc-ec.org. 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 buzz@nc-ec.org. 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 DNR-Fish-Charter@Michigan.gov. 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. Photo and article by Donna Iverson March 1 is astrological spring. After an unseasonably warm February, and the same predicted for March, my thoughts are turning to spring greens. A recent walk through my community garden revealed some veggies still showing green leaves. Specifically, members of the Brassica or Cruciferous family have survived our mild winter. In particular, leaves of a broccoli plant and some arugula, or rocket were available for the taking. They may taste a little bitter but are also refreshing and delicious. Dandelions haven’t sprouted yet. But this spring, I plan to harvest a few young leaves and add them to my salads. Other wild spring greens that are edible and nutritious are chickweed, lambs quarters, purslane, wild garlic and mustard. These can be foraged almost anywhere, including urban areas. Usually as April approaches, I prepare my raised bed to plant lettuce. This year, I may do it in March. Fellow community gardeners always warn me that I plant too early. But so far, my lettuce sprouts have survived cold spring temperatures. And I am the first to harvest spring greens for salads. As I prefer the taste of foraged greens, I recently purchased a seed packet of Lettuce Mesclun. My thinking was this garden variety lettuce would most closely resemble its wild cousins. According to Wikipedia, mesclun is a “mix of assorted small young salad greens that originated in France.” The traditional mix includes arugula, leafy lettuces and endive, but might also include baby spinach, collards, chard, and radicchio. My packet of mesclun, which seems to be an American version, includes the following lettuces: Buttercrunch, Red Salad Bowl, Parris Island, Red Sales, and Rouge O’Hiver. These baby lettuces are described as providing a variety of shapes, textures, and colors with a mild flavor. All can be harvested in a few weeks and can be grown indoors as well. Lettuce seeds need light to sprout, so sprinkle them atop some pear pellets or potting soil and place them near a sunny window. They can be transplanted to the yard or garden very soon. As for me, I am eager to get my “hands in the dirt.” It’s been a long winter despite the mild temperatures. But that’s another story. The birds are back in town on Feb. 24, 2024 from 10 a.m. to noon
NEWAYGO, Mich. – The Newaygo Tractor Supply will host a backyard poultry event on Feb. 24, 2024, providing customers with the opportunity to learn how to care for and manage an at-home flock. "The popularity of raising backyard poultry continues to grow year after year," said Mindy Leal, manager of the Newaygo Tractor Supply store. "Many people love the convenience of getting fresh eggs right from their own backyard, but don't know where to start. Our goal is to ensure that anyone who's interested in raising a backyard flock has the resources and information needed to do so." The poultry event, which runs from 10 a.m. until noon, will feature a number of expert event partners to provide customers with guidance. When it comes to raising backyard poultry, Tractor Supply is a one-stop shop, with starter kits, feeders, bedding, heat bulbs and lamps, coops, more. And for the poultry enthusiast, an expanded selection of poultry products is available on TractorSupply.com. This event is open to the public and will take place at 91 W. Pine Lake Dr. For more information, please contact the Newaygo Tractor Supply at 231-652-6030. Photo from Jeremy Arndt - Heavenly3lues fb site From the folks at the Center for Hope and Healing Join us for an evening of peaceful relaxing music otherwise know as a “Sound Journey”. Experience deep relaxation amidst an immersive soundscape provided by the soothing resonance of the handpan combined with didgeridoo, gong, guitar, analog synthesizers and more. A Sound Journey is a multi-instrumental experience that will induce physical, mental and emotional relaxation; cultivating a deep sense of calm and inner peace. The musician and composer, Jeremy Arndt from Pentwater, has been fusing the mindfulness based practices of yoga and meditation with his music for over a decade both as a solo artist, and as the co-founder of Settle Into Stillness. Since 2009, he has traveled the globe, with music as his guide, studying different musical traditions and finding a consistent thread of inspiration for his own music. His journeys have taken him to performance stages around the world, in 28 countries and 5 continents. He has shared over 1,000 performances and has collaborated with artists from around the world. His music currently has over 8 million streams on Spotify. The performance will be held March 7, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Center for Hope and Healing, 601. N. Evergreen, White Cloud. The cost is $35 per person. Please pre-register using the QR code or contact Beth Keloneva, bkeloneva@gmail.com Note: Older children are welcome to this experience, but they must respect the environment and be able to lay 90 minutes peacefully. Come celebrate over 12 years of leading Sound Journeys worldwide! STEAM, Storytime, and More at Fremont Library
The Fremont Area District Library is planning to host many fun and educational events in February for the whole family. These events are, as always, free. The Winter Reading Challenge for all ages continues through March 1st. Children can sign up in the Children’s Department and teens and adults can sign up at the Reference Desk. Each age group will get a reading log with a challenge to complete, and when finished, you can bring it in for a prize. Teens will also be entered into raffle drawings for each book read and both teens and children will be included in a grand prize drawing when finished. Winter Reading is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Fremont Area District Library. Children’s Events Toddler Storytime, for babies and toddlers up to age 3, is held weekly on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., and Family Storytime for children up to age 5 is held weekly on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. A special Snowman Saturday Storytime, for children up to age 5 will be on February 10th at 11:00 a.m. in the Community Room in partnership with the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce. We’ll be showing the Children’s Afternoon Movie Wish (PG; 95 min) on Thursday, February 22nd at 4:00 p.m. Snacks will be served, and all are welcome. Tinkering Tuesdays continues this month. You bring the imagination, and we'll provide everything you need! Simple building and art concepts for kids to construct on their own or in a group. Finished creations will be put on display for a week. REGISTRATION REQUIRED - For ages 6-9 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sign up your child two weeks before each activity, until filled, by calling 231-924-3480 or seeing the front desk. See dates below. Limit of 15 children each week. February 6th: Free play February 13th: Artsplace at the library February 20th: Learn to write your name in braille February 27th: Mini lid banjos Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead also continues this month. This includes the same concepts as Tinkering Tuesdays, but for ages 10-12. REGISTRATION REQUIRED - 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sign up your child two weeks before each activity, until filled, by calling 231-924-3480 or seeing the front desk. See dates below. Limit of 15 children each week. February 7th: Free play February 15th: Artsplace at the library February 21st: Learn to write your name in braille February 28th: Mini lid banjos Even More Events! Fit for Life Exercise is on Mondays and Wednesdays weekly through March 27th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. This is a low-impact exercise class perfect for all adults and levels of fitness. Junk Journaling for ages 10 and up will take place on Thursday, February 8th anytime between 6:00-8:00 p.m. This is a scrapbooking and journal hybrid. Use up what you have and supplement with found, recycled, repurposed and thrifted items. Materials provided. We’ll show the movie Love Again (PG-13; 104 min) for our Movie Monday on February 12th at 2:00 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Silent Book Club: Come as you are and read what you want, with no interaction necessary! The first and last minutes can be social if you'd like--the rest of the time is silent reading. Gather by the South fireplace on Sunday, February 11th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The Wednesday Readers Book Group will meet on Monday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Tempest by Beverly Jenkins. The Non-Fiction Book Discussion will meet on Monday, February 19th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama. The Daytime Book Group will meet on Wednesday, February 28th to discuss Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. Books for all of these groups are available at the library’s front desk ahead of the meeting if you’d like to check out a copy and join the groups. UFO Club (NEW!): UFO stands for UnFinished Object. Bring a project to work on while you socialize with other crafters. Gather by the south tables along the parking lot on Sunday, February 25th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for this drop-in event. Tween Book Club (NEW!): Calling all magnificent Middle Schoolers! This new Tween Book Club, for 6th-8th graders will be munching on free delicious pizza and snacks in the teen area of the library while discussing books. On February 27th from 3:30-5:00, we’ll be discussing our first book, The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. Books are available to check out at the library's front desk. For more info call 231-928-0256 or email tbonk@fremontlibrary.net. New students always welcome. For more information about any of these events, please contact the library at 231-924-3480 or visit www.fremontlibrary.net. Regulation amendment for select rivers takes effect this spring
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission recently adopted regulation changes to establish a daily possession limit of one (1) rainbow trout 20 inches or greater year-round on select rivers, effective April 1, 2024. The amendment will be a new component of the current daily possession limit regulation covering Type 3 and Type 4 waters where five (5) fish, but no more than three (3) trout 15 inches or greater with only one (1) rainbow trout 20 inches or greater are allowed. The selected rivers are listed below by type regulation category. Where a confluence is mentioned, that simply means the point where two flowing bodies of water join together. Type 3 waters
Type 4 waters
The new fishing regulations came in response to public comment to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in support of lower bag limits for steelhead to increase catch and release opportunities in certain rivers that support natural reproduction of steelhead. The regulation changes will be reflected in the 2024 fishing regulations booklet, which will be available at Michigan.gov/DNRRegs in March 2024, and on the Michigan DNR Hunt and Fish app April 1, 2024 Free event open to first 30 registrants
In 1996, the Kropscott family donated an 80 acre farmstead to Newaygo Conservation District with the agreement that the site would be kept in agriculture and be used to teach and model environmental education. Today, Kropscott Farm Environmental Center contains the Stephen F Wessling Observatory, nature trails, education labs and classrooms, as well as pasture land and an agroforestry project. KFEC hosts farm visits from all 5 Newaygo County public schools and seasonal community social events. The farm’s winter 2024 workshop will take place Sunday, January 14 from 1:00 - 4:00pm. This winter’s event will be open to the first 30 registrants as opposed to the open house format KFEC has used in the past. Guests will participate in learning to build a fire, making “food art” to take home, s’mores at the fire ring, free grilled hot dogs and hot chocolate, examination of the mineral composition of rocks, and a forest hike (perhaps with snowshoes!). Registration is free and open to the first 30 community members ages 6 and up who register online. Kids younger than 6 are welcome without registration as long as they’re with a registered adult. Just scan the QR code or go to our Facebook page for a link to the sign-up website. |
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