Posts by Americorps
Wetland Community Types in Michigan
According to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, a wetland is defined as an ecosystem that is saturated with water for varying periods and characterized by water-loving vegetation and soils. A few other important factors that distinguish wetlands from other ecosystems are soil chemistry, hydrology, species composition, and geographic distribution. Wetlands are important because they provide…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Build “Rabbitat” at Bellevue Conservation Club
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, MUCC’s On the Ground Program hosted a brush pile-building event in partnership with the Bellevue Conservation Club. Brush piles are called “rabbitat” because they provide habitat for rabbits and many other species, including chipmunks, squirrels, mice, snakes, and ground-nesting birds. Brush piles are also used as hunting grounds for hawks,…
Read MoreWhite-tailed Deer: How do they Survive Michigan Winters?
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are considered to be one of the most popular game species in Michigan, and for good reason. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush when a big buck walks out in front of your hunting spot. During this time of year, deer are well adapted to survive the cold and snow, but why…
Read MoreGlacial History of Michigan: How did we get our Great Lakes?
It is well known that Michigan was once covered in glaciers, or huge slow-moving masses of ice that formed from the accumulation and compaction of snow. But how exactly did this happen, and how did the glaciers create the Great Lakes we know today? First, we need to take a trip back in time. The…
Read MoreMeet the new AmeriCorps Member at MUCC
Hello everyone! My name is Katelyn Helsel, and I am the new Huron Pines AmeriCorps member serving at MUCC this year. This is my first time serving with AmeriCorps, and I am very excited to help foster MUCC’s On the Ground program and to form new connections with natural resource professionals and the public alike.…
Read MorePeace out Rainbow Trout: My last week of service.
My AmeriCorps service with MUCC is coming to an end this week. I’ve met a lot of wonderful and passionate people through On the Ground, outreach days and MUCC’s Out-of-Doors Youth Camp. The OTG Program hosted 28 events this year during my term. It was extremely gratifying to help improve wildlife habitat across the state…
Read MoreNerves of Stihl: On the Ground Volunteers Participate in Chainsaw Safety and Stewardship Day
Last Saturday, November 4th, 2023, MUCC’s On the Ground program partnered with Fenner Nature Center and Daisy Tree Care to host a Chainsaw Safety and Stewardship Day on FNC’s grounds. In total, 14 volunteers learned basic chainsaw maintenance and then got some hands-on experience cutting unwanted logs and trees in Fenner’s Maple Grove. The course…
Read MoreHaving a Hard Time Identifying Woody Invasives in the Winter? On the Ground has your Back
As the leaves begin to fall and winter approaches, the need to remove woody invasives continues. Removing woody invasives during the wintertime is ideal as the species becomes dormant and easy to get access. The big issue then becomes how you can distinguish a woody invasive from a native plant when it’s just the bark.…
Read MoreDon’t Make a Rash Decision, Watch out for Poisonous Plants in the Winter
The thought of encountering a plant like poison ivy isn’t always on our minds when we’re recreating outdoors during the fall and winter months. I mean why would it? All the other plants are dormant or dead so why is a poisonous plant any different? The danger comes from the oil urushiol, which can remain…
Read MoreOn the Ground: more than 4,000 volunteers engaged through statewide habitat improvement efforts
The final day of September marked the end of MUCC’s 2023 fiscal year. Last year’s volunteer turnout brought a lot of excitement for the On the Ground team as 771 volunteers joined us out in the field, marking the most volunteers in a single year since the program’s inception in 2013! On the Ground…
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