Michigan designated brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as the official state fish in 1988. Brook trout can only live in cool, clean water and can be found in many of Michigan's lakes, rivers, and streams. All State Fish
The gentle painted turtle was designated the official state reptile of Michigan in 1995, after a group of Niles fifth-graders discovered that Michigan did not have a state reptile (painted turtles are also state symbols of Vermont, Illinois, and Colorado). All State Reptiles
Michigan designated the towering eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) as the official state tree in 1955 as a symbol of Michigan’s rich logging history (also the state tree of Maine). All State Trees
White pine was the focal point of Michigan's lumber industry in pioneer days. From the 1860's to the late 1890's, Michigan led the nation in lumber production (Michigan claims to be the home of the legendary Paul Bunyan; but of course, so does Minnesota).
Michigan designated the Kalkaska soil series as the official state soil in 1990. All State Soils
Kalkaska soil occurs in both the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. it is used primarily for sugar maple and yellow birch hardwood timber, and sometimes for Christmas trees and specialty crops such as potatoes and strawberries (as well as for wildlife habitat). Kalkaska soil was formed in sandy deposits left by the glaciers that once covered Michigan.
The Historical Society of Michigan was designated an official state symbol of Michigan in 2002. All Cultural Heritage Symbols
The Historical Society was established in 1828 to foster appreciation and understanding of Michigan's history and promote the collection and preservation of state and local history.
Michigan designated Isle Royale greenstone (chlorastrolite) as the official state gem in 1973. All State Gems
Chlorastrolite (a variety of the mineral pumpellyite) is a bluish-green stone with a pattern of slender, star-like crystals which results in a "turtle back" pattern. Some chlorastrolite includes other minerals, which produce additional colors.
The giant mastodon (Mammut americanum) was designated the official state fossil of Michigan in 2002. All State Fossils
Michigan designated "robin redbreast" (American robin) as the official state bird in 1931 after an election held by the Michigan Audubon Society. All state birds
The legislation noted that "the robin redbreast is the best known and best loved of all the birds in the state of Michigan." The American robin (Turdus migratorius) is also the state bird of Connecticut and Wisconsin.
Michigan designated "My Michigan" as the official state song in 1936 (lyrics by Giles Kavanagh and music by H. O'Reilly Clint; written in 1933). All State Songs
Many people think "Michigan, My Michigan" by W. Otto Meissner and Douglas Malloch is the official state song of Michigan (a traditional song that dates back to the Civil War), but "My Michigan" is the only song recognized by Michigan legislature. The final resolution reads:
Michigan designated "The Legend of Sleeping Bear" by Kathy-jo Wargin, illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, as the official state children's book in 1998. All Art & Culture Symbols