MUCC Blog

On Saturday, February 15, 2025, 26 volunteers joined MUCC’s On the Ground program in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a wood duck nest box event at Maple River State Game Area in Gratiot County. This area located just north of Lansing consists of farm fields, woodlands, grasslands, and cattail marshes. It is a popular destination for hunters, trappers, birders, and wildlife viewers alike. Volunteers Maintain Nest Boxes & Remove Decking During this project, volunteers worked within three separate units of the state game area. Each group checked nest boxes and replaced old nesting material with fresh material as needed. Any use of the nest boxes by either wood ducks or other wildlife was also noted onto a data sheet. One group of volunteers also installed two brand new boxes in an area adjacent to several ponds. These new boxes will help increase nesting success even further for this incredible species. They will continue to be monitored by the DNR in addition to the existing boxes. Additionally, brush covering the entry of the boxes was cleared and used to create brush piles for small game habitat. Another group of volunteers removed old decking from a cross-bridge located between two units. Removal was fairly easy given that the boards were old and rotting away, which made the project all the more important. The boards will be replaced with fresh wood later in the year, therefore improving hunter accessibility. In total, volunteers improved approximately 49 acres of wildlife habitat directly through this project.

Due to the ability of humans to travel long distances, this species is able to reach a larger area quicker than it naturally would.

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met today at the Michigan Library and Historical Center. Bear regulations were up for information for the NRC.

This macroalgae poses a threat due to the dense mats limiting the ability of native plants to grow while reducing the overall number of species present

Preparing ahead to spend long periods in the cold allows for more time spent enjoying outdoor activities.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is commonly shortened to avian influenza or bird flu.

Some volunteers at this event were able to witness first-hand the importance of maintaining these nest boxes for multiple species after finding multiple screech owls inside some of the boxes.

February 2025 NRC Preview

For hunters with a current base license, groundhogs can be hunted or trapped year-round, however, small game regulations should be followed.