Posts by Makhayla LaButte
Citizen Science Opportunity: Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging anyone out and about this spring to report any sightings of frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes, turtles and lizards to their database. The data collected annually by citizens helps the DNR understand species abundance and distribution of reptiles and amphibians in Michigan, and assists the DNR in…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Improve Wildlife Habitat in Northern Michigan
On Saturday, March 27, Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ On the Ground (OTG) program returned to Kalkaska to continue to improve wildlife habitat on public land. A group of 18 volunteers constructed more than 40 brush piles (“rabbitat”) within openings along Johnson Lake Road that will be utilized by wildlife that ranges from rabbit/hare and ruffed…
Read MoreVolunteer with OTG in Kalkaska this Weekend
Join the OTG program on Saturday, March 27 in Kalkaska as we improve habitat for small game and other wildlife by building brush piles. Also known as “rabbitat,” the brush piles built during these events will enhance habitat for a variety of species such as rabbit/hare, ruffed grouse, woodcock and squirrels. In addition to sheltering…
Read MoreOTG Volunteers Have Big Impact on Small Game Habitat in Clare County
On Saturday, March 13, the OTG program returned to Clare County to build small game brush piles on public land near Harrison. A group of nine volunteers met at the project site to limb and buck trees that were then used to assemble five new brush piles. Brush piles are a critical component of quality…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Spring Field Season Launches this Weekend
MUCC’s award-winning On the Ground (OTG) wildlife habitat improvement program launches its 2021 spring field season this weekend in Harrison. Volunteers with the OTG program will be improving small game habitat on public land near Harrison by building brush piles. Brush piles are a critical component of quality small game habitat, and volunteers with the…
Read MorePublic Input Welcome at March 2021 DNR Meetings
Adapted from the February 25, 2021, Michigan Department of Natural Resouces press release. See the full DNR press release HERE. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an abundance of public meetings prepared for March 2021, and interested members of the public are encouraged to take part in these meetings to let their voices…
Read MoreConnect with OTG on Facebook
Did you know that you can find updates about On the Ground (OTG) volunteer events on our Facebook page? Launched in 2020 to provide volunteers with up-to-date information about upcoming volunteer events, the OTG Facebook page also serves as an event photo-sharing source and provides information about wildlife habitat management across Michigan. If you’re interested…
Read MoreVolunteer for Wildlife this Spring
OTG is in need of volunteers for two small game habitat projects this March. Join the OTG program on Saturday, March 13 in Clare County and Saturday, March 27 in Kalkaska as we improve habitat for small game and other wildlife by building brush piles. Also known as “rabbitat,” the brush piles built during these…
Read More$100,000 in U.P. Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative Grants Available
Read the full Department of Natural Resources (DNR) press release HERE. Now in its 13th year, the Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative (DHIPI) grant was created to improve deer habitat on private lands in the Upper Peninsula. Since the inception of the initiative, these grants have been received throughout the Upper Peninsula and have funded…
Read MoreTake the OTG Volunteer Survey Today
With more than 3,100 volunteers and more than 150 wildlife habitat improvement projects completed, the On the Ground (OTG) program has impacted wildlife habitat on public land throughout Michigan. As we look back and review the past eight field seasons, we are compiling data and reports to build a comprehensive picture of the OTG program’s…
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