On The Ground
On the Ground: Long-Term Partnerships
MUCC’s On the Ground program has been going strong since its inception in 2013. Funded by an MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division, On the Ground has been able to complete a variety of habitat improvement projects statewide. The program celebrated 10 years in 2023 with a total…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Improving Wildlife Habitat Across Southern Michigan
MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program had a busy week in Southern Michigan. OTG traveled from the Southeast side in Port Huron to the Southwest side in Portage to host volunteer stewardship projects to improve habitat for wildlife. In a single week, volunteers improved about 20 acres of public land. On Friday, February 23, 2024,…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers improve Wood Duck Nest Boxes at Maple River State Game Area
On Saturday, February 17, 2024, MUCC’s On the Ground program partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to maintain and install nest boxes for wood ducks at Maple River State Game Area. Wood ducks are one of the most stunning waterfowl in Michigan and are very popular among hunters and birders alike. They…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Build “Rabbitat” at Bellevue Conservation Club
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, MUCC’s On the Ground Program hosted a brush pile-building event in partnership with the Bellevue Conservation Club. Brush piles are called “rabbitat” because they provide habitat for rabbits and many other species, including chipmunks, squirrels, mice, snakes, and ground-nesting birds. Brush piles are also used as hunting grounds for hawks,…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Restore a Prairie Ecosystem at Fort Custer Recreation Area
On Saturday, January 27, 2024, 18 On the Ground (OTG) volunteers gathered at Fort Custer State Recreation Area in Kalamazoo County to remove woody vegetation from a prairie management area. In total, about 56 acres of public land were improved by the removal of woody vegetation like Siberian elm and Eastern cottonwoods. Although Eastern cottonwoods…
Read MoreOTG Volunteers Needed: Edge-feathering and Brush Pile Building at Bellevue Conservation Club
MUCC’s On the Ground Program is excited to be partnering with the Bellevue Conservation Club. Volunteers are needed on February 3, 2024, at 9:00 AM to help create edge-feathering and build brush piles at the Bellevue Conservation Club. To register for the event, click HERE. The Bellevue Conservation Club (BCC) was established in 1928. Since…
Read MoreKick Off the New Year By Helping Wildlife
What’s a better way to start the new year than helping improve wildlife habitat on public lands near you? Join MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) on January 13th and January 27th to help remove invasive vegetation to make room for native plants to grow.…
Read MoreSarah Scheitz Joins MUCC as New Habitat Program and Partnerships Coordinator
Hello, My name is Sarah Scheitz and I am the new Habitat Program and Partnerships Coordinator at Michigan United Conservation Clubs. I was fortunate to have grown up in Roscommon, Michigan. Oftentimes, I could be found exploring the woods of northern Michigan identifying all species of plants and wildlife that I came across. I come…
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 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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