On The Ground
On the Ground: Volunteers Improve Wildlife Habitat in Northern Michigan
On Saturday, March 27, Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ On the Ground (OTG) program returned to Kalkaska to continue to improve wildlife habitat on public land. A group of 18 volunteers constructed more than 40 brush piles (“rabbitat”) within openings along Johnson Lake Road that will be utilized by wildlife that ranges from rabbit/hare and ruffed…
Read MoreVolunteer with OTG in Kalkaska this Weekend
Join the OTG program on Saturday, March 27 in Kalkaska as we improve habitat for small game and other wildlife by building brush piles. Also known as “rabbitat,” the brush piles built during these events will enhance habitat for a variety of species such as rabbit/hare, ruffed grouse, woodcock and squirrels. In addition to sheltering…
Read MoreOTG Volunteers Have Big Impact on Small Game Habitat in Clare County
On Saturday, March 13, the OTG program returned to Clare County to build small game brush piles on public land near Harrison. A group of nine volunteers met at the project site to limb and buck trees that were then used to assemble five new brush piles. Brush piles are a critical component of quality…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Spring Field Season Launches this Weekend
MUCC’s award-winning On the Ground (OTG) wildlife habitat improvement program launches its 2021 spring field season this weekend in Harrison. Volunteers with the OTG program will be improving small game habitat on public land near Harrison by building brush piles. Brush piles are a critical component of quality small game habitat, and volunteers with the…
Read MoreConnect with OTG on Facebook
Did you know that you can find updates about On the Ground (OTG) volunteer events on our Facebook page? Launched in 2020 to provide volunteers with up-to-date information about upcoming volunteer events, the OTG Facebook page also serves as an event photo-sharing source and provides information about wildlife habitat management across Michigan. If you’re interested…
Read MoreVolunteer for Wildlife this Spring
OTG is in need of volunteers for two small game habitat projects this March. Join the OTG program on Saturday, March 13 in Clare County and Saturday, March 27 in Kalkaska as we improve habitat for small game and other wildlife by building brush piles. Also known as “rabbitat,” the brush piles built during these…
Read MoreGreat Volunteer Opportunities!
Serving with Michigan United Conservation Clubs as the Huron Pines AmeriCorps member, my favorite responsibility is working with the volunteers that come out to help with MUCC’s Field programs. This past Sunday, I was able to get outside and volunteer with the Parks and Recreation Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) at…
Read MoreTake the OTG Volunteer Survey Today
With more than 3,100 volunteers and more than 150 wildlife habitat improvement projects completed, the On the Ground (OTG) program has impacted wildlife habitat on public land throughout Michigan. As we look back and review the past eight field seasons, we are compiling data and reports to build a comprehensive picture of the OTG program’s…
Read MoreOTG Wildlife Volunteer Opportunities this March
Join the OTG program this March as we improve habitat for small game by building brush piles in Harrison and Kalkaska. Brush piles are a critical component of quality small game habitat, and volunteers with the OTG program have contributed countless weekend hours across the Lower Peninsula building what we call “rabbitat” (rabbit habitat). Despite…
Read MorePrescribed Fire as a Habitat Management Tool in Michigan
Note: Cover photo by Jonathan Schechter. A Brief History of Fire in Michigan Despite being best known for its abundant forest and water resources, Michigan’s natural history has also been molded by fire. Many fire-adapted ecosystems like jack pine forests, oak savannas and grasslands all rely on fire for optimal health and regeneration. Before the…
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