Celebrate American Wetlands Month by exploring Michigan’s wetlands

May is American Wetlands Month – a month to appreciate and enjoy the wonders of wetlands. The Department of Natural Resources encourages Michigan residents to get out and enjoy some of the outstanding wetlands the state has to offer. Try visiting one of Michigan’s Wetland Wonders for a day of hiking, birding, kayaking or fishing.

Michigan's Wetland Wonders are the seven premier managed waterfowl hunt areas in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County), Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County).

These areas, scattered across the southern Lower Peninsula, were created in the 1960s to provide exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities, and still are managed today to provide waterfowl habitat for nesting and migration and for the benefit of other wetland wildlife.

You might also venture to one of Michigan’s Signature Wetlands – exceptional wetland habitats throughout the state, including: Maple River State Game Area (Gratiot and Clinton counties), Crow Island State Game Area (Bay and Saginaw counties), Houghton Lake Flats State Wildlife Management Area (Roscommon County), Manistee River State Game Area (Manistee County), Sturgeon River Sloughs State Wildlife Management Area (Houghton and Baraga counties), Portage Marsh State Wildlife Management Area (Delta County) and Munuscong State Wildlife Management Area (Chippewa County).

In addition to self-guided wetland exploration, the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center at Waterloo State Recreation Area in Chelsea and the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center at Bay City State Park offer programs in May to celebrate wetlands. Visit

for a schedule of Wetlands Month programming.

The DNR’s visitor centers offer great nature and historical programming year-round. Find a list of nature programs available at DNR visitor centers throughout the state at

.