From guided, lantern-lit snowshoe hikes and peaceful cross country skiing, to Yurt camping, moose-viewing and experiencing "dark sky parks," the Michigan Department of Natural Resources offers myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation each winter. Maia Turek, statewide recreation programmer for the DNR, returns to the Michigan Runner Girl show to talk about the numerous winter programs and nature experiences available at many of Michigan's 103 state parks and 138 state forest campgrounds. "When you're there in the summer, parks have a sound - kids playing, seagulls, campers ... when you go in the winter it's completely different. You can hear nature," Maia says. Just a few of the parks Heather and Maia talk about during the show: Ludington State Park (family-friendly snowshoe programs); Rockport Recreation Area near Alpena (an old quarry that's an awesome spot for snowshoeing, who knew?); Muskegon State Park (check out the Yurt!); Blueberry Ridge near Marquette (fantastic cross-country ski trails). You'll also hear about the state's 5 "dark sky parks" as well as learn that the entire Upper Peninsula is designated a dark sky preserve. Maia and Heather also announce a joint fitness challenge kicking off this January -- the Michigan Runner Girl - Michigan DNR Fitness Challenge. The challenge is free and open to anyone interested in getting outdoors and experiencing nature in Michigan this winter. Prizes will be given away each week during the challenge, which will run through February. How it works: snap a photo of yourself, or of you and your family and friends, being active outside. It could be a run, a snowshoe, a hike, a ski -- whatever gets your body moving outdoors. Share the photo on Instagram, using the hashtags #MRGEnergy and #MIStateParks. Each week, MRG will share a reader/listener photo on the MRG Facebook page (and on Instagram, of course) and that person will win a prize from Michigan Runner Girl and the Michigan DNR. (hint: could be free camping, gear or other fun prizes!) Links: michigan.gov/recsearch, michigan.gov/natureprograms
