Posts by Nick Green
DNR proposed order to close swimming on state-managed beaches too vague
A proposed director’s order related to swimming from state-managed beaches grew in scope last week per a presentation from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The order, first proposed for information at the July Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting, would prohibit “exit[ing] the state managed beach area for the purpose of entry into the water…
Read MoreDNR director’s order would limit swimming at state-managed beaches on red flag days
A proposed director’s order up for information at the July 15 Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting would make it illegal to enter the water from state-managed beach areas during red flag days. Red flag days are universally accepted as a way to inform swimmers they should not enter the water because conditions are severe and…
Read More10-year anniversary: MUCC-led legislation paves the way for volunteer stewardship, habitat projects on public lands
Giving back to our public lands can take many forms — from planting a tree to clearing a field of rocks so it can be tilled to building small game brush piles. Oftentimes, conservationists’ most rewarding experiences are giving back rather than taking from the resource. What is little known, though, is that up until…
Read MoreMUCC-led bill tightens restrictions on public information, fair chase
Locations of game species obtained using scientific studies and monitoring will no longer be subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests after bipartisan-sponsored House Bill 4050 was signed into law last week. Sponsored by Rep. John Cherry (D-Flint), this legislation was drafted after Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff noted that an individual was…
Read MoreKalamazoo County commissioners support ending ‘wildlife killing contests’
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners passed a proclamation Tuesday in support of “opposing wildlife killing contests and asking Michigan policymakers to ban them.” The six to five vote in support was nearly party line – with Veronica McKissack (D-District 5) being the only Democrat opposing the proclamation. All four Republicans on the board voted…
Read MoreMUCC recognized as 2021 National Conservation Affiliate of the Year by NWF
Coalition building brings together the hippies, hunters and hikers to vote yes on Proposal One of 2020 Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) was awarded the National Conservation Affiliate of the Year Award at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Wildlife Unite Conference June 12. Since MUCC’s founding, the organization has been the Michigan statewide affiliate of…
Read MoreConsent Decree status conference leads to extension
The 2020 Consent Decree governing treaty and recreational fishing in the northern Great Lakes of Michigan was again extended June 4 after a status conference was held in federal court in Kalamazoo. The parties gathered at the request of the court to provide an overview of their take on the negotiations thus far and their…
Read MoreA slippery slope: Kalamazoo County Commission set to vote on ‘wildlife killing contests’
Kalamazoo County commissioners are poised to vote on a proclamation Tuesday “opposing wildlife killing contests and asking Michigan policymakers to ban them.” Passage of the proclamation would not limit hunting contests or any other hunting activity in Kalamazoo County — it is a statement of position. The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has the exclusive authority…
Read MoreNRC to act on proposed urine-based lure ban at June meeting
Commissioners are set to act on a proposed ban of urine-based lures as another round of deer regulations comes in front of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) this month for action. It is unclear what the commission’s flavor might be on the proposed ban, but during last month’s public testimony, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC)…
Read MoreNRC gathers input on deer regulations at May meeting
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) considered changes to the deer hunting rules Thursday and oversaw a number of orders signed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director. The proposed deer hunting regulations included two administrative changes relating to muzzleloader hunting and a ban of urine-based lures and attractants. The falconry rules and regulations…
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