Spring is on the horizon, end your hibernation by volunteering at an upcoming On the Ground project

March 20 marks the first day of spring. With warmer weather on the horizon, what better way to combat the winter blues than improving Michigan’s natural habitat with On the Ground? There are multiple opportunities to volunteer with OTG this spring – from watershed clean-ups to building brush piles and edge-habitat enhancement, OTG welcomes volunteers…

Read More

White Oak Initiative: The TREEmendous importance of White Oak

Oak trees are keystone species, meaning that entire ecosystems depend on them. From providing food through their acorns or acting as habitat for wildlife like birds and small mammals, oaks are an important part of Michigan’s habitat. One species in the oak family is the white oak, these trees are prized for their strength and…

Read More

Raising the Volume: MUCC attends Quiet Adventures Symposium

  Come visit MUCC’s booth at the 28th Annual Quiet Adventure Symposium (QAS) this Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Michigan State University Pavilion.  QAS brings people together who love the outdoors and allows visitors to meet with experts in areas of non-motorized outdoor recreation. There’s a full agenda this year with 34 speakers who…

Read More

What do Healthy Aquatic Habitats Crave? Fish Sticks!

People are drawn to Michigan’s lakes for many reasons – the opportunity to go fishing, boating, wildlife viewing. The natural beauty of inland lakes also makes shoreline properties highly sought-after for many landowners. As landowners, we want to develop and modify the land we have to fulfill a specific purpose. We may clear shoreline vegetation,…

Read More

MUCC Staff Attend MDNR’s 5th Annual Nature Center Summit

On Friday, February 10, 2023, a few of MUCC’s staff members attended the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Nature Center Summit at North Higgins Lake State Park. The Nature Center Summit was established five years ago as an opportunity to connect nonformal educators from organizations like nature centers and nonprofits to the science behind…

Read More

Invasive Species Spotlight: Invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

A new location of invasive hemlock woolly adelgid has been found in Benzie County, 50 miles north of what was believed to be the northern edge of infestation in Mason County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed that a sample taken from the site was positive for hemlock woolly…

Read More

Help Kick-Off MUCC’s Annual Convention Weekend by Volunteering for Wildlife with On the Ground

Join us in kicking-off MUCC’s Annual Convention by volunteering to remove woody invasives and create brush piles for game habitat at Edmore State Game Area (ESGA) on Friday, March 24, 2023. With 3,697 acres, ESGA offers habitat for ruffed grouse, cottontail rabbits, white-tailed deer, and American woodcock, among a variety of non-game species. ESGA offers…

Read More

On the Ground Volunteer Opportunity at Au Train Lake

Join MUCC’s OTG program in creating brush bundles/woody debris structures at Au Train Lake to improve fish habitat and population numbers!  The project is a part of a larger initiative to work directly with riparian landowners along the shoreline of Au Train Lake and to communicate the importance of shoreline vegetation and in-water habitat structures.…

Read More

Thank You MUCC

Farewell! As MUCC’s AmeriCorps member, I am completing my term this week. I worked closely with the On the Ground program but also assisted with outreach events and education. It has been an amazing experience full of wonderful opportunities and people. The OTG program hosted many volunteer events during my term. Each event was a…

Read More