Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve joined the Network on Wednesday as Michigan's 22nd forest! This 3927-acre preserve includes 20 miles of trails that winds through various habitat types including secondary hardwood forests, coastal dunes, and open fields. Participants learned about land conservation, spring ephemerals, old-growth features, forest composition and succession, and migrating birds. A huge shout out to Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy for all their work conserving, managing, and investing their time and energy into this future old-growth along the beautiful Lake Michigan coastline. (fb)

Join OGFN Founder Dr. Joan Maloof for a public ground-truthing hike through the threatened Blue Bike Trail Forest in Pocomoke State Forest. As part of Maryland’s 2025 Annual Work Plans, timber cuts are proposed along this cherished trail—threatening towering trees, critical habitat, and beloved recreation space. This forest is typically high and dry, with an easy trail and rich biodiversity. Expect big trees, spring birdsong, and (if we’re lucky) blooming mountain laurel. We will walk about a mile. As usual, dress to repel insects. Now’s the time to stand up for our trails and forests. This hike offers a firsthand look at what’s at stake. Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM Directions: On Route 113 heading south outside of Snow Hill, the entrance to the parking area is 3.1 miles past the entrance to the Pocomoke River State Park - Shad Landing. There is a nice parking area right off Rt 113 - but it is not marked on the road so it's difficult to see, it is directly across from a crossover, slow down after Blades Road and keep a watch on the right. If you get to Johnson Neck Rd, you've gone too far. 📷: Dave Wilson (fb)