In a move to improve convenience and enhance public safety, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has added more counties to its Internet-based burning permit system. Individuals can now receive year-long open burning permits in the following counties: Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Goodhue, Itasca, Kanabec, LeSueur, Pine, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Waseca...

For the second year, a coalition of conservation groups and agencies have joined forces to make bird migration safer by making Minneapolis and St. Paul a bit darker, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)...

Tower Area Fisheries staff has drafted revised individual lake management plans for 25 lakes in the region. The plans are part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual look at individual fisheries lake management plans for several lakes in each management area. Lake management plans describe the past, present, and future conditions of the lake. The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake in the next five to 15 years...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has completed the 2008-2012 State Comprehensive Outdoor recreation Plan (SCORP). The plan gives decision-makers and managers a focused set of priorities and suggested actions to guide them as they make decisions about outdoor recreation...

In the first year of a new venison donation program, Minnesota hunters donated 1,977 deer, creating the opportunity for 97 food shelves located throughout Minnesota to distribute 78,000 pounds of venison...

Anglers are reminded that ice shanties placed upon waters in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula should have been removed by March 1st. In all areas of the state, a shanty must be removed if ice conditions become unsafe, regardless of the date. The new 2008 fishing licenses went on sale March 1st. Copies of the 2008 Michigan Fishing Guide and the Inland Trout and Salmon Guide are now available where licenses are sold...

The Mason Tract, a 4,700-acre special management area in southeast Crawford County, is undergoing some timber cutting as a part of the area's management plan, said Department of Natural Resources officials...

The Michigan Forest Visitor Center at Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling has scheduled programs this spring aimed at maple syrup making, trout fly-tying and Earth Day...

The Department of Natural Resources reminds people to "GO-Get Outdoors" and make reservations now for their summer camping or boating getaway. Many good campsites and boat slips remain available for the 2008 summer season...

Snow continues to blanket most of Wisconsin, but additional snowfall in the last week has been limited and conditions in southeast and west central parts of the state have deteriorated, with some locations reporting a couple of inches or less of snow. However, snow depths continue to range from one to two feet in many locations. Snowmobile trails are now...