On the Ground: Impact by Habitat Type
Although the 2020 field season has been severely limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has provided a valuable opportunity to analyze program data that has been collected since the On the Ground (OTG) program’s inception in 2013. We regularly monitor volunteer numbers and volunteer hours dedicated to wildlife habitat improvement, as well as overall acreage…
Read MoreMUCC and The Average Conservationist Partner to Give Back to Conservation
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and The Average Conservationist are excited to announce a collaboration benefiting conservation. A t-shirt collaboration between the organizations will raise funds for direct conservation work in Michigan. The design features the words Michigan United Conservation Clubs underneath a forest and white-tailed deer silhouette. To buy one of these exclusive shirts,…
Read MoreNational Wildlife Federation Affiliates Vote to Address PFAS Concerns
Recently, delegates to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Annual Meeting voted to work to address the impacts of PFAS chemicals on fish, wildlife and human health. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are used in products ranging from firefighting foam and household cleaning products, to consumer goods like non-stick cookware, apparel waterproofing and…
Read MoreBringing Camp Home
For the last seven summer seasons, I have written the blog for this week with a view of Cedar Lake down at the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp. Today I am watching my dog “Cedar” try to figure out how to eat an ice cube from my “home office”. Typically this week kicks off the summer…
Read MoreOn the Water is Gearing Up For Saginaw Bay Event
Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ (MUCC) On the Water (OTW) program is kicking off its summer season with a Saginaw Bay cleanup. On July 11 at 9 a.m., volunteers will meet at the Bay City State Park. An event coordinator will sign people in and give directions for the cleanup event. This event is tailored for…
Read MoreCommercial Fishing Legislation Brought Up in Senate Committee
The Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard its third round of testimony on House Bills 4567, 4568 and 4569 Wednesday. The three bills seek to protect game fish and update rules that have not been changed since 1971 for state-licensed, Great Lakes commercial fishers. The tie-barred, three-bill package would update decades-old statute by keeping…
Read MoreNational Pollinator Week: Pollinators and the OTG Program
The week of June 22-28, 2020 has been designated as National Pollinator Week. Thirteen years ago, the United States Senate unanimously approved that one week in the month of June be used to both celebrate pollinators and bring attention to their rapidly declining populations. Since the inception of National Pollinator Week, the initiative has grown…
Read MorePublic Lands Blog: Michigan’s Forests
This week’s public lands blog is about the public forests of Michigan. I feel particularly lucky to live here in Michigan, where I have so many opportunities to get out and recreate on public forest land. According to a study done by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2014 “Michigan is home to…
Read MoreNew NRC Commissioners Appointed
Gov. Whitmer announced three appointments to the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) on Tuesday. The seven-member body is tasked with regulating the take of game and sportfish and is authorized to name new game species and establish the first hunting season. The body is also required to remain bipartisan, meaning that no more than four members…
Read MoreOTW is coming to the west coast!
On the Water is coming to the west coast of this great mitten state! On July 25 OTW is partnering up with Kitchel-Lindquist Dunes Preserve to pull the invasive species Purple Loosestrife. Invasive species are organisms such as plants, mammals and invertebrates that are not originally from the location that they are found in. That…
Read More