Posts by Ian FitzGerald
A predator-prey study, increasing public awareness, maintaining sustainable wolf prey populations discussed October wolf meeting.
The Wolf Management Advisory Council (WMAC) is charged with making recommendations to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding wolf management. The council will undertake recommending updates to the 2015 Wolf Management Plan to include up-to-date biology and information. The WMAC is comprised of six members: Dan Kennedy representing the DNR, Amy Trotter representing…
Read MoreOctober NRC Preview: Fisheries orders still on deck, department to present on FY 22 budget, sandhill cranes
October NRC Preview: Fisheries orders still on deck, department to present on FY 22 budget, sandhill cranes The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is expected to take action on a number of remaining fisheries orders that have received several proposed amendments from commissioners. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be providing presentations to the commission…
Read MoreSenator Stabenow supports bipartisan bill to help wildlife, prevent extinctions nationwide
Sen. Debbie Stabenow has signed onto a bipartisan wildlife conservation bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, that would dedicate $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts to help at-risk wildlife species nationwide. “We’re facing a looming wildlife crisis, and this is the most important piece of federal wildlife legislation in the past 50 years,” said MUCC…
Read MoreAl Stewart, The Abrams Foundation, Dowagiac Conservation Club among those recognized at 2021 MUCC Awards Banquet
Conservationists going above and beyond the call of duty were recognized Saturday evening at Michigan United Conservation Clubs 2021 Awards Banquet. As part of the MUCC Annual Convention, conservation professionals from throughout the state were acknowledged for their selfless service, countless contributions and unwavering enhancement of Michigan’s natural resources. In total, eight awards were given…
Read MoreMUCC signs on to bipartisan resolution opposing nuclear storage site near the Great Lakes
Per member-passed policy, MUCC recently signed onto a bipartisan resolution introduced by Congressman Dan Kildee that opposes the proposed 50,000 tons of nuclear waste storage near the Great Lakes basin. The MUCC resolution, which passed in 2015, requires that “MUCC adopts the position to ban long-term disposal and deep geological repository (DGR’s) of ALL grades…
Read MoreSeptember NRC Meeting: Commissioners pass a handful of fisheries, propose amendments to others for Oct. meeting
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met last Thursday and passed four fisheries orders while tabling several other orders and requesting amendment drafts from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The fisheries orders that were passed by the commission (with no amendments or changes made) include the following: FO 248.22 – Possession limits for fish…
Read MoreDNR seeks input on potential reduction of recreation land in UP for solar development
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced a request from a land developer for an amendment to a long-term agreement that would eliminate hunting and fishing on 1,080 acres of land in the Upper Peninsula’s Marquette County. The property, owned by Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., is part of a larger land exchange agreement with the…
Read MoreConservationists, organizations turn out to support Michigan’s youth conservation legacy
Conservationists took to the range last Friday to raise money for the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp and its conservation steward programs aimed at ages six through 14. More than 100 shooters circled the Multi-Lakes sporting clays range vying for the title of top-gun. In total, 19 teams participated in three flights of competition. A bipartisan showing…
Read MoreLethal cormorant control permits approved for Michigan, helps set management strategy
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is moving forward with lethal cormorant control following a federal ruling. Double-crested cormorant populations were impacted heavily in the mid-1900s by pesticides like DDT. Federal protections followed and helped populations increase substantially. From 1985 to 2005, cormorant nest counts increased from near zero to about 60,000. From 2004…
Read MoreDNR attempts to clarify proposed beach access order, presents deer survey at July NRC
A proposed director’s order that would limit swimming at state-managed beaches garnered the majority of public comment during last week’s monthly Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. Other topics covered include: 2020 preliminary deer harvest survey results, the state’s land strategy, a fisheries order update and land transactions. Proposed restrictions on water entry from state-managed beaches…
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