From food trucks to face painting to fishing games, there will something for the entire family at a public open house for the new Michigan Department of Natural Resources Customer Service Center in Newberry from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14.

The 10,000-square-foot building, located at 5666 M-123, is the state’s first mass timber structure built with Michigan wood.

The open house will be a mostly outdoor event with stations, booths and interactive displays from the DNR and other groups and organizations. Check out a mock campsite and learn how to set up a tent. Learn about animal tracks, skulls and furs. Get a photo with Smokey Bear. Visit with representatives from the local conservation district, police and fire departments, an invasive species management group and more.

Visitors can also come inside and check out the lobby and the Superior Room to see the mass timber beams and interior structure. A historical exhibit will be on display in the Superior Room.

In addition to staff members from the DNR’s various divisions – including Law Enforcement, Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife – there will be representatives from:

• Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
• Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
• Muskallonge Lake State Park.
• Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District.
• Three Shores CISMA (invasive species group).
• Newberry Fire Department.
• Luce County Sherriff.
• Michigan State Police.

There’s a coloring contest open to all ages; the colored pages will be on display during the event. Print the page from this PDF and return it to the Newberry DNR office by Aug. 8 to be entered into a random drawing to win one of five birdhouses.