Peace out Rainbow Trout: My last week of service.
My AmeriCorps service with MUCC is coming to an end this week. I’ve met a lot of wonderful and passionate people through On the Ground, outreach days and MUCC’s Out-of-Doors Youth Camp. The OTG Program hosted 28 events this year during my term. It was extremely gratifying to help improve wildlife habitat across the state…
Read MoreBipartisan bill introduced to provide hunter’s safety in schools
Bipartisan legislation was introduced in both chambers of the legislature this week that would create an elective program for Michigan school districts to host hunter and firearms safety programs within their schools. Senate Bill 664, sponsored by Sen. Jon Bumstead (R-North Muskegon), and House Bill 5334, sponsored by Rep. Curt Vanderwall (R-Ludington)are both supported by …
Read MoreMUCC-led commercial guiding legislation heads to the governor’s desk
The Michigan Senate concurred on stakeholder-led commercial guiding legislation today, after passage in the house late last night. The legislation now heads to Gov. Whitmer’s desk. Commercial guiding in Michigan is woefully unregulated – nothing currently exists in statute to prevent serial poachers from posing as legitimate guides. The bipartisan package, sponsored by Senators John…
Read MoreNovember 2023 NRC Recap
Commissioners adopted an amended version of the Nyberg Amendment, changing the bag limit for steelhead on 11 streams across Michigan. In addition to lowering the bag limit on certain streams, the adopted amendment to Fisheries Order 200.23A clarified boundaries to streams in the amendment and removed immediate effect. The amended order, as passed, will now…
Read MoreNerves of Stihl: On the Ground Volunteers Participate in Chainsaw Safety and Stewardship Day
Last Saturday, November 4th, 2023, MUCC’s On the Ground program partnered with Fenner Nature Center and Daisy Tree Care to host a Chainsaw Safety and Stewardship Day on FNC’s grounds. In total, 14 volunteers learned basic chainsaw maintenance and then got some hands-on experience cutting unwanted logs and trees in Fenner’s Maple Grove. The course…
Read MoreNovember NRC Preview
Michigan United Conservation Clubs board voted to oppose lower steelhead bag limits at the upcoming November Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 am at Lansing Community College. Commissioners will consider one order: the MUCC-opposed amendment to proposed Fisheries Order 200.23A that would lower the bag…
Read MoreHaving a Hard Time Identifying Woody Invasives in the Winter? On the Ground has your Back
As the leaves begin to fall and winter approaches, the need to remove woody invasives continues. Removing woody invasives during the wintertime is ideal as the species becomes dormant and easy to get access. The big issue then becomes how you can distinguish a woody invasive from a native plant when it’s just the bark.…
Read MoreCoalition to Protect Michigan’s Resources will appeal adoption of Great Lakes Consent Decree
The Coalition to Protect Michigan’s Resources (CPMR), a sport fishing organization focused on protecting the fishery in the Great Lakes, filed an appeal opposing entry of the 2023 Great Lakes Consent Decree in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The order to accept the decree, given in August by Judge Paul Maloney, entered the five…
Read MoreDon’t Make a Rash Decision, Watch out for Poisonous Plants in the Winter
The thought of encountering a plant like poison ivy isn’t always on our minds when we’re recreating outdoors during the fall and winter months. I mean why would it? All the other plants are dormant or dead so why is a poisonous plant any different? The danger comes from the oil urushiol, which can remain…
Read MoreOn the Ground Volunteer Highlight: Zachary Dalton
Meet Zachary Dalton, local hunter, angler, outdoor enthusiast, and avid On the Ground (OTG) volunteer! Zachary is from Saginaw, but he has participated in six OTG volunteer events throughout Michigan during the past year. He attended his first OTG project back in October of 2022, where he worked alongside other volunteers to plant and fence…
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