On The Ground
Chainsaw Safety
This wonderful warm weather marks the time for yard work. For some, this is the time to break out their chainsaw. A chainsaw is a useful tool that makes easy work clearing debris/brush and felling snags. However, don’t be deceived, this tool can cause great bodily harm if used irresponsibly. Luckily there are many online…
Read MoreOn the Ground Junior: Students Plant Masting Trees at Maple River SGA
On May 26, 2022, 49 4th graders and 8 chaperones from St. John’s Elementary School participated in Clinton Conservation District’s (CCD) Arbor Day program along with MUCC’s On the Ground Junior (OTG Jr.) program. Students planted 250 mast-producing tree seedlings in the north end of the E Unit at Maple River State Game Area (SGA).…
Read MoreVolunteer with OTG on National Trails Day!
Celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 4, 2022 with MUCC’s On the Ground program and the MI Department of Natural Resources! We will be improving hunter and recreationist access as well as constructing brush piles to enhance wildlife habitat at Dansville State Game Area in Ingham County on Saturday, June 4 starting at 9am.…
Read MoreEastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
One of the best things about being an AmeriCorps member is the new experiences. From May 4th to the 6th, I drove to Camp Grayling to participate in the eastern massasauga rattlesnake survey. I had never worked with venomous snakes before, so this was a very exciting opportunity. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake is the only…
Read MoreOn the Ground Junior: Students Remove Invasive Vegetation From Rose Lake State Game Area
On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 19 volunteers including 16 high school students who are part of the Animal Science and Zoo Management program at Potter Park Zoo in partnership with Eaton Regional Education Service Agency Career Preparation Center joined On the Ground Junior (OTG Jr) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) at Rose…
Read MoreOn the Ground Junior: Students from Grand Traverse Academy Enhance Pollinator Habitat on Public Land
On Thursday, May 5, 2022, 37 5th and 6th grade students and 10 chaperones from Grand Traverse Academy (GTA) in Traverse City volunteered with OTG Jr and the MDNR to plant a pollinator garden and help build a deer exclosure in the Traverse City Forest Management Unit (FMU) in Union Twp. Students broadcast-planted wildflower seeds,…
Read MoreAmazing Volunteers at the Jack Pine Planting Day
The Kirtland’s Warbler is one of Michigan’s greatest success stories. In 1973 the Kirtland’s Warbler was considered an endangered species. Population numbers fell due to nest parasitism and the loss of young jack pine forests, the bird’s only breeding habitat. Due to fire suppression, the forest became unsuitable for nesting habitat. To combat the issue,…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Enhance Game Bird Habitat at Potterville State Game Area
This past Saturday, April 30, 2022, 9 On the Ground volunteers gathered at the south entrance of Potterville State Game Area (SGA) to assist Eaton Conservation District in planting 270 native trees and shrubs. The Potterville SGA is a relatively new land acquisition by the MI DNR and was purchased under the Michigan Natural Resources…
Read MoreNative Plant Gardens
Last Saturday MUCC’s OTG program planted 275 shrubs and trees at Potterville SGA. Currently, the area is being managed for wetlands. American hazelnut, buttonbush, highbush cranberry and two dogwood varieties were planted across 8 acres in the SGA. Besides bringing the area closer to its goal, the species planted are utilized by wildlife. Not only…
Read MoreFree Learn & Burn Event Offered to the Public
Join our friends at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute on June 4th for Learn & Burn! When: 1pm-5pm on Saturday, June 4, 2022 Where: Pierce Cedar Creek Institute – 701 W Cloverdale Rd, Hastings, MI 49058 RSVP on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/2kVOdkZui Drop-in to this free event between 1pm-5pm to participate in a live prescribed fire burning demonstration, as…
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