Public Land Series

Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and I wanted to take the opportunity whilst folks are reflecting on their impact on the environment, to talk a little about public lands. Growing up many of my opportunities to explore, recreate and connect with the natural world have occurred on public land here in Michigan.…

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MUCC suit requests immediate injunction against criminalization of motorized boating

Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) filed a complaint in United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan on Sunday challenging the criminal prohibition against motorboat use recently announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.  The complaint alleges Whitmer and Department of Natural Resources Director Daniel Eichinger’s application of EO 2020-42 to prohibit motorboat use is…

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Resources for Outdoor Enthusiasts

The month of March has finally come to an end, and now we Michiganders are faced with what looks to be a long April ahead as the global coronavirus pandemic continues. With this in mind, many folks are looking for ways to connect with nature responsibly.  Several conservation organizations are producing excellent resources for folks…

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What is AmeriCorps?

Since the beginning of February, I have been serving as the Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member at Michigan United Conservation Clubs(MUCC). Last week was Michigan’s AmeriCorps week and since the beginning of my service term, I have encountered quite a few questions and I thought it was an appropriate time to answer the most common of…

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NRC Action Postponed Until April

Written by Charlie Booher, MUCC Policy Intern The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will have a brief meeting Thursday, but will not be voting or hearing public comments.  This decision comes in the midst of an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in Michigan, leading the state and federal governments to make a number of new…

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NRC to Rule on Furbearers, Electronic Trap Monitors at March Meeting

Written by Charlie Booher, MUCC Policy Intern The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is slated to take action on furbearer and electronic trap monitoring regulations, as well as discuss elk and migratory bird seasons.  The meeting will take place on March 19, at the Lansing Community College Gannon Building in the Michigan Room (422 North Washington…

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Senate Votes to Vacate Mitterling Appointment to NRC

Mitterling’s seat sits unfilled after she received notice, during the commission meeting Thursday, that the Senate voted to disapprove her appointment. Partisan politicking won Thursday when a Natural Resources Commission (NRC) appointment was blocked by the Republican-controlled Michigan Senate. In a mostly party-line vote, Senate Republicans were able to vacate the appointment of Anna Mitterling,…

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Conservation, community leaders launch ProtectMI

State’s natural resources strengthen communities, economy and quality of life Michigan’s natural resources, public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities are second-to-none and what define and unite the state, providing countless benefits to all Michiganders. That’s why they must be protected and enhanced, announced several organizations as they today launched the public awareness campaign ProtectMI. ProtectMI…

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Huron Pines AmeriCorps Celebration

Don’t worry I still have seven weeks left of my service term, but the Huron Pines AmeriCorps member celebration was last Friday up in the Upper Manistee Headwaters Preserve.  All 20+ members and their supervisors were in attendance for the celebration.  The purpose of this event was to recognize our service in helping conserve Michigan’s…

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OTW: 16th Annual Charlotte River Conservation Day

On The Water Logo

The small town of Charlotte is located in the Battle Creek Watershed, this watershed covers 196,750 acres/307 square miles in northern Calhoun, southeastern Barry, and southern Eaton counties. Land use consists primarily of agriculture followed with forestland, wetland, and urban/rural/non-farm. Since the main land use is agriculture non-point source population is the main concern in…

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