Michigan Wants To Pay You To Pick Up Pinecones This Fall

Fall in Michigan is one of the best times of the year, largely because the trees look so beautiful as they change color. This isn't just Michigander bias; USA Today has named Michigan as having the best autumn views three years in a row. The best place to get those views is the Upper Peninsula, but for many of us, that can be quite a journey.

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So what if I told you there was an easy way to get paid while enjoying the fall leaves, and all you had to do was pick up some pinecones? Yes, this is real, and you get up to $110 per bushel you collect.

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Hiawatha National Forest Reforestation Effort

If picking up pinecones in a national forest seems a bit strange, there's a good reason it's important enough to pay people to do it. From October 7th to November 25th, the Forest Service is asking the public to "help shape the next generation of forests on the Hiawatha." They don't want the pine cones themselves, but the seeds inside them. These pinecones must be collected in the Upper Peninsula, on Hiawatha National Forest lands.

READ MORE: Why Marquette Is the Friendliest Town in Northern US

A bushel of Jack Pine will net you $80, while a bushel of Red Pine will net you $110. There are pretty rigid guidelines about the condition of the pinecones, which can reduce payment, but getting paid to collect pinecones off the ground is a pretty great deal, if you ask me.

brown pine cone on green grass during daytime

For details on collection guidelines and drop-off details, read the full press release here.

If you're just looking for places to view the autumn leaves, you could see them from the world's tallest outdoor staircase or take this stunning drive that overlooks trees, Lake Superior, and Isle Royale.