March ice storm left damage at many Northern Michigan parks. How to help with cleanup

Yahoo

22-04-2025

Michiganders who would like to volunteer to help clean up ice storm damage at state parks and campgrounds can sign up online, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said on April 15.
"We've have many people expressing interest in volunteering to help with cleanup efforts in state parks, campgrounds and trails following the historic ice storm that tore through northern Michigan," state officials said in a Facebook post. "If you're interested, we ask that you fill out this short form to be notified when volunteer efforts begin."
The historic ice storm left thousands of residents cold and with no power, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Severe ice storms the weekend of March 28-30 caused widespread damage throughout northern Michigan, leading Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a 12-county disaster area, including Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.
More: Utilities shift crews to restoring internet service after Northern Michigan ice storm
State officials ask that people avoid interfering with current emergency efforts without the DNR's explicit permission.
Here's what to know about volunteer opportunities.
The form asks for identifying information including name, mobile number, email and if you are affiliated with an organization.
It also asks for physical work load, special skill sets and where residents prefer to volunteer. The volunteer locations include:
Motorized trail
State park
Nonmotorized trail
State forest campground
In addition, the form asks whether you have special skills, equipment or certifications you would like to commit to the effort, and asks people to outline those specialties.
More: Drone video shows ice storm's devastation in Pigeon River Country State Forest
According to state officials, the road to recovery for state lands will be long as the Department of Natural Resources Forest Resources Division (FRD) is currently assessing damage to state forests and property.
Many DNR state parks, trails and facilities remain closed for damage assessment and cleanup, with fallen trees and power lines blocking access. For updated closures, visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.
While a state of emergency signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provides resources to aid response and recovery efforts now, officials say they are in the early stages of identifying key issues to address in the long and short term including:
Spring 2025 tree planting: Access to many planting sites remains blocked, impacting reforestation efforts. Clearing roads to these areas is a priority.
Timber sales and salvage operations: FRD is evaluating how the storm affected active timber sale contracts and upcoming sales. Modifications may be needed to facilitate salvage operations and manage timber market conditions.
Forest management planning: The storm's impact on forest inventory and health will require reassessment over time. While immediate management will continue under existing plans, adjustments may be made as data becomes available.
Wildfire risks and fire response: FRD is providing leadership and resources to the incident management team in lower northern Michigan, supporting road clearing. Next steps include supporting road clearing for planting crews and addressing potential increased fire risks due to post-storm debris.
Long-term forest health and productivity: Salvage efforts will focus on maintaining healthy and resilient forests. FRD is consulting with silviculturists experienced in large-scale ice storm recovery to guide future management decisions.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: After Northern Michigan ice storm, DNR seeks volunteers for park cleanup