On The Ground
OTG Public Land Clean-Up Challenge Ends Tomorrow
After two weeks and an abundance of good public land stewardship shown by all participants, the OTG virtual public land clean-up challenge officially ends tomorrow, Friday, May 1. We have received lots of great entries and we appreciate everyone who has taken the time to take care of their public lands while continuing to social…
Read MoreMUCC Launches Responsible Recreation Photo Contest
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many people are realizing the benefit of getting outside to recreate as a healthy respite from the quarantine. As several of us already know, activities such as casting a line into our favorite lake, going out for a spring turkey hunt or going for a walk in the woods are…
Read MoreTree Planting Makes an Impact
Happy Arbor Day! Today marks the 135th anniversary of Arbor Day in Michigan. In 1885, the Michigan Legislature resolved, “that the Governor is hereby requested to call the attention of the people of the state to the importance of planting trees for ornament and by naming a day upon which the work shall be given…
Read MoreLast Week to Participate in the OTG Virtual Public Land Clean-Up Challenge
Launched on April 2, 2020, this initiative has given individuals and families the opportunity to give back to their public lands while recreating outdoors and practicing social distancing. Many individuals have shared photographs and short stories about why they have chosen to participate in the effort, often citing a love of the resource, their unfavorable…
Read MoreMichiganders Continue to Care for Public Lands Despite Volunteer Event Cancellations
Even as Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) volunteer events are being canceled across the state due to the public health concerns surrounding COVID-19, Michiganders are still stepping up to take care of their public lands. When the first COVID-19 restrictions were put in place, MUCC members and former On…
Read MoreMUCC Field Team Continues On
Last week at the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area (SGA), Michigan United Conservation Clubs(MUCC) launched the On the Ground(OTG) virtual SGA Clean-up initiative. This initiative is meant to encourage folks to still be stewards of their public land as MUCC’s usual spring schedule of OTG events have been canceled as a result of COVID-19. This…
Read MoreOTG Public Land Clean-Up Challenge
Our On the Ground (OTG) program launched a virtual public land clean-up last week on April 2, 2020 that includes all state game areas (SGA), wildlife management/viewing areas and Grouse Enhanced Management Sites (GEMS). The goal is to encourage land-users to leave their public land better than they found it and give them a chance…
Read MoreOn the Ground Launches Virtual State Game Area Clean-Up
In an effort to encourage safe outdoor recreation and the continued stewardship of our public lands, the OTG program is hosting a virtual state game area clean-up beginning Thursday, April 2, 2020. Getting Involved The goal of this initiative is to encourage those who are out recreating during this social distancing period to improve their…
Read MoreOn the Ground: 151 Projects and Counting
MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program has completed more than 150 projects on state land across Michigan since its inception nearly eight years ago. In that time period, more than 3,000 volunteers have improved wildlife habitat through weekend projects in state game areas and forests that involve building brush piles, removing invasive trees, restoring grassland…
Read MoreOTG Wildlife Volunteer Events Canceled Amid COVID-19
Due to recent announcements and the public health concerns surrounding COVID-19, all Department of Natural Resources and On the Ground (OTG) volunteer events have been suspended for the next two months. This includes all OTG events from now until mid-May. There is a possibility that this suspension will be extended into the summer, depending on…
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