Posts by lschultz
INVASIVE ALERT: THREATS TO MICHIGAN’S WETLANDS
Nearly 5.5 million acres of Michigan’s landscape are considered wetland, which is roughly 15% of the land area of the state. With increasing reports of water hyacinth, an aquatic plant that has highly problematic invasive tendencies, this just increases our concern for all the threats to critical wetland habitat. Plants at Mara River – Ted D.…
Read MoreMUCC'S WILDLIFE HABITAT PROGRAM AT GRATIOT-SAGINAW SGA
This weekend, MUCC’s wildlife habitat program will be completing a project at the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area; making this the fourth habitat project we’ve hosted in the area with the first project being in 2013. In previous projects, volunteers along with the students built large brush piles for rabbitat in fence-rows and on field edges.…
Read MoreKEEPING UP TO DATE WITH INVASIVES: GLOSSY BUCKTHORN
Glossy buckthorn has been planted in the U.S. for nearly 200 years and was commonly used for hedgerows, forestry plantings, and wildlife habitat until its invasive tendencies became apparent. With Michigan being one of the best bird watching states, it’s common for our residents to want to supply the native birds with fruits and seeds,…
Read MoreNORTHERN MICHIGAN REJECTS GREAT LAKES AQUACULTURE
A poll conducted in January by EPIC-MRA found that 68% of Michiganders opposed putting commercial net-pen aquaculture in the Great Lakes. Where two such fish farms are proposed, though, opposition is even higher: 77% of northern Michigan residents oppose them. It’s time to let northern Michigan legislators know where their constituents stand. The survey polled…
Read MoreHUNTER SAFETY INSTRUCTORS TEACH NEW HUNTERS TO BE ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE HUNTERS
I attended the Hunter Safety Education Course at the Dowagiac Conservation Club hosted by Furmer Reed this past weekend. Furmer is on MUCC’s Board of Directors and happily agreed to mentor me as I am completing my Hunter Education Instructor Certification. Although I obtained my hunter safety certificate over a decade ago as a youth,…
Read MoreWISCONSIN WANTS GREAT LAKES WATER-COMMENT BY MARCH 1
As if we don’t have enough going on, there is yet another group putting pressure on our state administration to give up our public trust responsibilities and approve the first ever diversion of Great Lakes water outside of the basin since the ratification of the Great Lakes Compact. We invite you to learn more about…
Read MoreACTION ALERT | PROTECT GREAT LAKES FISHERIES!
New legislation has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives by Rep. Jon Bumstead (R-Newago) to ban commercial net-pen fish farms in the Great Lakes. House Bill 5255 would ban commercial cage culture operations from Michigan-controlled waters of the Great Lakes. This is a top priority of MUCC and we are asking our members…
Read MoreVOLUNTEERS GIVE HARE-CUTS IN THE GRAYLING STATE FOREST
For the third consecutive year, MUCC’s volunteer-based wildlife habitat program has coordinated with DNR Wildlife Biologist Brian Piccolo and DNR Wildlife Technician Tim Riley to improve snowshoe hare habitat in the Grayling State Forest. Last weekend, volunteers hinge-cut trees to provide cover in gap areas of lowland conifer type forest. Eight volunteers from various locations…
Read MoreINVASIVE ALERT: THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU PLANT
Have you ever thought of purchasing trees, shrubs, or flowers, but you just aren’t quite sure what plants you want? Do you want these plants to produce fruit for wildlife watching in your yard or to create privacy from your neighbors? Regardless, when choosing plant species to place on your property, be aware of those…
Read MoreICE FISHING AND HOT PONDS
With ice and snow finally arriving across the state, outdoor winter recreation is now on the horizon. As you get ready to hit the trail, the slopes, or the lakes, it is crucial to remember that there are dangers to many winter activities. One of the most popular winter activities in Michigan is ice fishing,…
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