On The Ground
The History of Arbor Day
This Friday, April 29, is the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. A day dedicated to the appreciation and care of trees. Most people spend the time planting trees or teaching about their importance, but the holiday can be celebrated in many different ways. Some hold a ceremony recognizing stewards in the community, some clean up…
Read MoreThe History of Earth Day
Earth day was created as a community-based change confronting pressing environmental concerns. In 1970, the year of the first Earth Day, the Cuyahoga River caught on fire due to the high concentration of pollutants, the coast of Santa Barbra was covered in oil, DDT was reducing the population of songbirds and raptors and whales were…
Read MoreOTG Jr. Kicked-Off at Denmark Twp State Game Area Last Week
MUCC’s On the Ground Junior (OTG Jr.) kicked off last week at the Denmark Township State Game Area (SGA) with two groups of students from Reese Middle and High School’s Out-of-Doors Club. Student volunteers worked in teams to remove invasive woody vegetation and stack brush into piles that will serve as “rabbitat.” The ultimate goal…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Clean-Up the Clinton River at River Bends Park
Last Saturday, April 9, 2022, a group of 25 volunteers joined MUCC’s On the Ground program (OTG), Metro-West Steelheaders and Clinton River Watershed Council in a morning of picking up trash in and around the Clinton River at River Bends Park. Volunteers picked-up and properly disposed of over 25 large bags of trash, multiple tires,…
Read MoreJoin Us for a Day of Planting Jack Pines to Benefit Kirtland’s Warblers
On Saturday, May 7, 2022, Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance (KWA) is hosting a Jack Pine Planting Day in partnership with MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program and Huron Pines of Michigan. Join us in planting jack pines to improve Kirtland’s warbler habitat at a site in St Helen, MI (Richfield Twp). Please register for this event…
Read MoreManaging For Oak Wilt Workshop
A prevalent invasive species is affecting Michigan oak trees. Oak wilt is a devastating disease carried by burrowing insects and spread through root systems. It attacks the vascular system of the tree and is fatal for all species in the oak group. The leaves of the infected tree start to wilt and discolor, eventually dropping.…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Improve Small Game Habitat at Gourdneck SGA
Last Saturday, March 26, 2022, a group of 15 volunteers joined MUCC’s On the Ground program (OTG) and Kalamazoo Conservation District in a day of assembling brush piles to enhance wildlife habitat in Gourdneck State Game Area (SGA). Brush piles, also known as “rabbitat” (rabbit habitat), provide a variety of wildlife with shelter, nesting and denning…
Read MoreRestoring Prairie and Oak Savanna Ecosystems at Gourdneck State Game Area
In light of On the Ground (OTG) and Kalamazoo Conservation District’s upcoming habitat improvement project at Gourdneck State Game Area in Kalamazoo County this upcoming Saturday, March 26, let’s dive into some of the habitat management goals for this parcel of state land and highlight how our project will help enhance wildlife habitat for years…
Read MoreVolunteer with OTG this Earth Day
Join MUCC’s On the Ground program and the Eaton County Conservation District on Friday, April 22, 2022, as we work to enhance wildlife habitat at the Potterville State Game Area. Volunteers will assist with planting approximately 200 native fruit-bearing shrubs that will provide cover, nesting habitat, and a food source for a variety of species.…
Read MoreOn the Ground: Volunteers Help Increase Hunting Opportunity in the Gladwin State Game Area
Last Saturday, March 5, 2022, a group of 6 volunteers joined MUCC’s On the Ground program (OTG) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in a morning of shooting lane clearing for a new accessible hunting blind located in the Gladwin State Game Area. The ground blind with accessible features was donated by Michigan…
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