Summer and fall blend together come September – this month just may be the most perfect time to get outside! – and one way to make the most of the ideal weather is to treat yourself to time in the woods.
With nearly 4 million acres of state forest, not to mention 103 state parks and numerous locally operated recreation areas, there's no shortage of places to recenter and relax in Michigan's forests.
"From Belle Isle in downtown Detroit to old-growth hemlock trees in the Porcupine Mountains, Michigan has a place where anyone can get into the forest and just enjoy it," said Lawrence Law, forester with the DNR's Urban and Community Forestry Program. "A lot of the time we are rushing to do things and we have to be somewhere, and that's not what it's like to be in the forest."
Spending time in the woods — what some refer to as "forest bathing" — is simple: find a spot and hang out to listen, smell and feel the forest. Be sure to look up and enjoy the structure of the leaves and branches, and look to the ground to see what's happening on the forest floor. A few other ideas:
- Collect leaves that have fallen off trees; see how many different types you can find.
- Listen and watch for birds. You often hear them before you see them.
- Go on a wildlife scavenger hunt using a nature checklist you create or find online.
- Look and listen for frogs and insects; the trees are full of them this time of year! You can spot some insects by the damage they do. For example, a downed tree that has delicate, curving "galleries" on the surface of its wood could be an ash tree killed by the emerald ash borer, an invasive wood-boring beetle.
No matter where you go or how you choose to enjoy the woods, remember to follow "leave no trace" principles, which include carrying out all trash and recyclables, taking steps to prevent the spread of invasive species and staying on designated trails. Other reminders:
- Stacked rocks might look cool for your Instagram photo, but disturbing rocks on the forest floor removes habitat for insects and small animals.
- Don't carve anything onto a tree, as that leaves a permanent scar.
"In our forests, we can be good observers, but we also need to be good stewards so that everyone can enjoy them," Law said.