On The Ground
OTG Jr. at Rose Lake
It was an early start to the morning on October 3 as students from Morrice Elementary rolled into the driveway of the Rose Lake State Game Area deer check station in their school bus. On board, there were 24 eager fifth-grade students lead by teacher Morgan Chapko ready to get their hands dirty and spend…
Read MoreOTG: Grand Traverse Academy at Petobego State Game Area
The morning of Tuesday, October 23 saw rain and cloudy skies about an hour before our project was about to start. With a little bit of luck and sunshine, the rain stopped and the temperature was cool and windy just in time for the 83 school kids, chaperones, and teachers to arrive at Petobego State…
Read MoreMichigan State Ducks Unlimited Range Day
Many of you probably spent the bow season opener 20′ up in the air or well concealed in a ground blind waiting for a nice deer to come through. Outreach Specialist Hunter Salisbury and I were at the Rose Lake shooting range working with a group of Michigan State Students. This group of students was…
Read MoreOTG: Rabbitat at Keeler State Game Area
In appropriate fashion, volunteers celebrated the official first day of Autumn on September 22 out in the field constructing rabbitat at Keeler State Game Area. It was a crisp, cool start to the morning as nearly twenty volunteers made their way to the meeting point for the morning. Under the direction of Nate DeVries and…
Read MoreMichigan Works Students Get Outside
To wrap up the fiscal year 2018 for OTG Jr, we had the opportunity to do some work close to home. We brought a group of students down to Camp from Lansing. Outreach Specialist Hunter Salisbury and I had a chance to work with some non-traditional students who participated in OTG Jr. and an outdoor…
Read MoreOTG: Grayling State Forest and OTG Jr. at Camp
Grayling State Forest, Crabapple Tree Planting On Saturday, September 8 at 9am, volunteers gathered at the Grayling DNR field office, just west of Hartwick Pines State Park for a day of planting crabapple trees on state land. After everyone was signed in, we broke into three groups that would work at different planting sites. The…
Read MoreA New Position in the Education Department. We are Hiring!
The Education Department continues to grow here at MUCC. This growth means we have the ability to add capacity to the organization. Through a partnership with Huron Pines, we will be adding an AmeriCorps member to our team during 2019. We are looking to hire an Engagement Specialist starting in January. If you are not, familiar…
Read MoreOTG: Shiawassee State Game Area
On May 9, 1951 the Shiawassee River State Game Area was established. Today, the area covers 9,758 acres and is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Many recreational and hunting activities are encouraged, and there are a number of habitat restoration and wildlife enhancement projects that take place throughout the year On Saturday,…
Read MoreOTG: Updated Equipment and Upcoming Events
The busy season for the OTG program is approaching quickly, and with that comes increased demand on the equipment that is used throughout the projects. The chainsaws used by volunteers were in particularly rough shape, and in definite need of replacing. After thorough research on brands, models and function, it was decided that the Stihl…
Read MoreOTG: Lake Interstate with MSU Glassen Scholars
For many college students the summer season is a time to relax and enjoy the outdoors without the worry of school work and exams. These individuals however, are going the extra mile during their “off-season” to ensure that they are doing their part for the future of Michigan conservation. The Hal and Jean Glassen Scholars program…
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