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News Summary - August 5, 2026 Edition
Group working to add trails near
local equestrian campground
Big Oaks Trail Riders of Atlanta are working to expand and improve riding trails that begin at the Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground located on Avery Lake. The group is working under the Michigan Horse Trails Association, a nonprofit organization, to have new trails designated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Lannette Amon, committee chair, told the Tribune the eight and half miles of existing trails have been turned into roads for logging. There is now an effort to add about 32 miles of trails that are more pleasant for equestrians and their horses.
“Getting trails designated by the DNR will help protect them from loggers,” Amon said in a recent interview.
Heide MacDonald, committee member, has been locating and connecting two-tracks and forestry roads to DNR trails, and the new trails have been cleaned up after recent ice storms. A work bee has been scheduled for Aug. 20-23 so volunteers on horseback can help stomp down growth on the new trails.
Volunteers without horses may also be able to help at the work bee with ATVs. The event will feature a potluck meal as well as games on the trails. Those interested in volunteering or following the progress can visit the Facebook page for Big Oaks Trail Riders of Atlanta. The project should result in a system of trails equestrians can ride for hours.
“We want to put Big Oaks on the map,” MacDonald said.
Second Northern
Strike taking place
Northern Strike military readiness exercises are taking place in the area Aug. 3-14. The exercises involve more than 9,000 personnel from 36 states and international partners. Participating are Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, National Guard, Reserve, interagency and allied forces.
Northern Strike enhances combat readiness, tests emerging technologies and strengthens joint and allied cooperation. It generates about $44 million in economic benefit to Michigan through military pay, travel and local spending.
Exercises are taking place at Camp Grayling, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Grayling Air Gunnery Range, Rogers City Quarry, Battle Creek Air National Guard, Selfridge Air National Guard, Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airfield, K. I. Sawyer Airfield, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. A winter Northern Strike took place in January.
HB 4350 passed: Feeding
birds is no longer a crime
The wildlife feeding bill introduced by State Representative Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) has been signed into law. House Bill 4350 amends Michigan law to allow people to feed birds and other wildlife, even in areas under deer and elk feeding orders issued by the Natural Resources Commission.
The bill defines wildlife and bird feeding as placing or maintaining feed to prevent birds and other wildlife from starving or for recreational viewing. Feed must be placed within 300 feet of a residence, and the total amount of feed on the ground must be less than two gallons.
In a press release, Rep. Borton explained that people under the previous law were considered committing a crime if they had a feeder in their backyard, and a deer happened by. The new law ensures people can feed wildlife without violating broad feeding restrictions.
“Feeding songbirds and other backyard wildlife is a basic way to foster an appreciation for our state’s natural beauty,” Rep. Borton said. “The state should never have been treating these activities as criminal acts.”
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Daniel D. Moore
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