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DNR encourages people to take First Day Hike for new year

Brian Mann breaks trail.
Emily Russell
/
NCPR
Brian Mann breaks trail.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people to get out in nature and move on January 1st.

The department is hoping Michiganders will sign up online and collectively log 2-thousand-22 miles as part of the “First Day Hikes” program.

Maia Turek is an engagement and innovation specialist for the D.N.R. She says the program is a good way for people to kick off their New Year’s resolutions.

“We often think about January One as the day we start the new diet, or the day we start our new fitness routine. Well, wouldn't it be fun if our New Year's resolution was today's the day I start new adventures?”

Turek says participants aren’t limited to hiking, they can also ride a bike or go cross country skiing, weather permitting. A few state parks are offering guided outings, but most people are expected do their own excursions.

Laura Herberg is a reporter for 101.9 WDET, telling stories about people inhabiting the Detroit region and the issues that affect us here. She won a Regional Murrow Award for best Hard News story (Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio) in 2020 and she was named the Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter for radio broadcasting in 2020, 2018 and 2017. In 2012, she was awarded a SoundCloud Fellowship for her project, “Listen to Detroit.” She also is the creator of Complete Me, a podcast with only three episodes about how she has trouble completing tasks.