Posts by Policy Intern
Cast for Conservation with the Midwest Walleye Challenge
Calling all anglers! Support fisheries research, reel in exciting prizes, and explore the beauty of Midwest waters by diving into the Midwest Walleye Challenge! Last week, in a press release, the Michigan DNR highlighted the Midwest Walleye Challenge. The DNR is partnering with Angler’s Atlas to host this walleye fishing challenge. It occurs through June…
Read MoreMeet MUCC’s Newest Policy Intern, Madison Haddock
Hey everyone! I’m Madison Haddock, the new Policy Intern for the summer of 2024. I’m passionate about conservation and also enjoy hiking, birdwatching, fishing, camping with friends and family, and creating wildlife illustrations. My primary goal is to explore a variety of regions, observe new wildlife, and embrace different ways to partake in conservation.…
Read MoreLake Sturgeon Update
On Tuesday, April 23, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a notice of their findings for Lake Sturgeon populations. The FWS conducted this finding to determine whether or not the lake sturgeon should be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The FWS is required under the ESA to review any petitions that contain…
Read MoreMichigan House and Senate Appropriation Subcommittees Propose DNR Budget
Budgets for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been proposed by the Michigan House (HB 5512) and Senate (SB 759) Appropriations Subcommittees for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Funding for the Sportsmen Against Hunger (SAH) program is a high priority for Michigan United Conservation Clubs, but was not in the Governor’s proposed budget. This…
Read MoreCamp Grayling Permit Application Awaits Review by Department of Natural Resources
The Michigan Army National Guard has just submitted a land use permit application regarding Camp Grayling military training to the Department of Natural Resources for review. In April of 2023, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) proposed a 20-year lease of over 160,000 acres of state forest land. After multiple community input sessions…
Read MoreApril NRC Preview
Deer Management Initiative (DMI) updates are scheduled at the upcoming April Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Meeting. The meeting, on Thursday, April 11, will be held in the Gannon Building at the Lansing Community College downtown campus, located at 600 N. Grand Ave Lansing, MI, and is set to start at 9:00 a.m. The Fisheries Committee’s…
Read MoreRecreation Passport Opt-Out Proposal Highlighted in Budget Considerations
The recreation passport opt-out proposal was the focus of the budget considerations for the state’s natural resources department. Throughout the last two weeks, Scott Bowen, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), presented the department’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2024-25 to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development and Natural…
Read MoreNavigating Forest Road Closures
Without a place to start, navigating forest road closures can be a difficult process. Public Act 288 directs the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to inventory, provide maps and provide the criteria for closure of any of Michigan’s state forest roads and trails. The act states that in developing the system, the department will consider…
Read MoreDecember NRC Preview
Deer season updates will be outlined by deer, elk and moose management specialist Chad Stewart at the upcoming December Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Meeting. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 9:30 am at Lansing Community College. Andrew Briggs of the Fisheries Division will kick off the meeting with the committee’s Lake…
Read MoreMUCC Conservation Policy Board Sends Resolutions to Convention
The MUCC Conservation Policy Board was busy last Saturday, with a walleye lunch and 11 resolutions to review at Perch Point Conservation Club. One resolution was an emergency resolution and was up for information only. The December meeting was the final Policy Board meeting before the Annual Convention. In total, 14 resolutions and one emergency…
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