Education
Vernal Pools: Learn More About These Important Wetlands
There’s an old saying here in Michigan, “You’re never more than a few minutes away from a body of water”. Whether it’s a stream, pond, inland lake, or one of the Great Lakes, the state of Michigan is home to a large amount of water. According to the Great Lakes Commission, the Great Lakes hold…
Read MoreInvasive Species in Michigan: Narrowing Down the Science
Michigan is home to many different types of ecosystems that support a wide variety of plant and animal species. From the hardwood swamps found in southern Michigan to the cliffs and granite bedrock found in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan’s diversity is what makes it such a beautiful place to live. However, the native species found…
Read MoreOutdoorama Starts Next Week
It is almost that time of year again. Time for the annual staff pilgrimage to Novi for Outdoorama. Outdoorama has been going on in the Detroit area for more than 50 years. This year it is once again combined with the Lakefront and Cottage living show. Your admission to one of these shows gives you…
Read MoreWetland Community Types in Michigan
According to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, a wetland is defined as an ecosystem that is saturated with water for varying periods and characterized by water-loving vegetation and soils. A few other important factors that distinguish wetlands from other ecosystems are soil chemistry, hydrology, species composition, and geographic distribution. Wetlands are important because they provide…
Read MoreWhite-tailed Deer: How do they Survive Michigan Winters?
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are considered to be one of the most popular game species in Michigan, and for good reason. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush when a big buck walks out in front of your hunting spot. During this time of year, deer are well adapted to survive the cold and snow, but why…
Read MoreGlacial History of Michigan: How did we get our Great Lakes?
It is well known that Michigan was once covered in glaciers, or huge slow-moving masses of ice that formed from the accumulation and compaction of snow. But how exactly did this happen, and how did the glaciers create the Great Lakes we know today? First, we need to take a trip back in time. The…
Read MoreUltimate Fishing show- January 11-14
Cold temperatures have finally arrived. If you are one of the brave souls who enjoy fishing on the hard water, or chasing steelhead on a semi-frozen river, swing by the Ultimate Fishing show in Novi to grab some new gear. The Ultimate Fishing Show is a four-day event held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in…
Read MorePeace 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 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.…
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