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The Michigan DNR Is Willing to Pay You for Pine Cones

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is actually willing to pay you for pine cones. No joke. The DNR is looking for red pine cones to assist them in planting…

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is actually willing to pay you for pine cones. No joke.

The DNR is looking for red pine cones to assist them in planting trees in state forests.

Residents are being asked to pick fresh red pine cones Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and make an appointment to drop them off at one of six DNR locations, according to a release.

“Fresh cones can be found in felled treetops from recent timber sales, on state forestlands and in recently gathered squirrel caches (yes, you can steal from a squirrel)," the DNR said in a statement. "If picking from a recent timber sale, logger permission is necessary, and pickers must wear hardhats for safety. The simplest way, however, is to pick from living red pine trees where branches extend close to the ground.”

There are some instructions for this pine cone picking. For all the information, go here.

Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.