On the Ground: Garlic Mustard Pull at Saugatuck Dunes State Park
On Saturday, April 20, 2024, On the Ground partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Recreation Division to host a garlic mustard removal day at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Although it was a windy day, 24 volunteers came out to help eradicate this plant and improve habitat for Michigan’s wildlife. Garlic…
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 MoreOTG Volunteers Needed: Brush Pile Building in Kalkaska County
Are you someone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to improve Michigan’s public lands? We have a great opportunity for you! On the Ground will be at the Traverse City Forest Management Unit in Kalkaska County on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 10 AM – 3 PM constructing brush piles for wildlife. You are not…
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 MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers clean up the Clinton River Watershed
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, MUCC’s On the Ground program traveled to Yates Park to host the annual Clinton River cleanup in partnership with the Clinton River Watershed Council and Metro-West Steelheaders. MUCC has held a long-standing partnership with these organizations since 2014, and each year we partner with them to host a trash cleanup…
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 2024 NRC Recap
Commissioners adopted elk regulations and waterfowl season dates and regulations at the April Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. There were no substantial changes to elk or waterfowl hunting regulations in Michigan, and both season structures stayed in line with the 2023 structure. The commissioners had one order up for information. Wildlife Conservation Order #4…
Read MoreThe Importance of Michigan’s Rivers
According to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Michigan is home to over 300 named rivers which extend 51,438 miles across the state. Rivers offer many important benefits such as habitat for fish and wildlife, transportation, and recreational opportunities for the general public. Things like pollution can damage a river, causing harm not just…
Read MoreMUCC supported wake boat legislation introduced
MUCC-supported legislation regulating the use of wake boats was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. House Bill 5532, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), sets a basic framework of where large wake-producing boats can operate without damaging lake ecology or lake bottom structure. The legislation would require operating distances of at least 500 feet…
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…
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