Dan Kildee Appointed as Chair of the NRC

Justin Tomei • January 20, 2025

On Friday Afternoon Governor Whitmer announced the appointment of former Congressman Dan Killdee to serve as the chair of the Natural Resources Commission.

From her press release:

"Former Congressman Dan Kildee, of Flint Township, has recently been named president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint following his six terms of service in Congress. Kildee holds a Bachelor of Science in administration with a concentration in community development from Central Michigan University. Dan Kildee is appointed as a Democrat for a term commencing January 17, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2028. Kildee is also appointed as chair of the commission for a term commencing January 17, 2025, and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor. Kildee succeeds Thomas Baird, whose term has expired. "

Commissioner Kildee joins recently appointed James Laporte to fill vacancies. Commissioner Cozad's term also expired at the end of 2024. Commissioner Cozad can continue his service until he is reappointed, or another appointment is made.

The next NRC meeting is Thursday February 13.

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On the Ground: Wood Duck Boxes & More at Maple River State Game Area

By Katelyn Helsel • February 24, 2025

On Saturday, February 15, 2025, 26 volunteers joined MUCC’s On the Ground program in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a wood duck nest box event at Maple River State Game Area in Gratiot County. This area located just north of Lansing consists of farm fields, woodlands, grasslands, and cattail marshes. It is a popular destination for hunters, trappers, birders, and wildlife viewers alike. Volunteers Maintain Nest Boxes & Remove Decking During this project, volunteers worked within three separate units of the state game area. Each group checked nest boxes and replaced old nesting material with fresh material as needed. Any use of the nest boxes by either wood ducks or other wildlife was also noted onto a data sheet. One group of volunteers also installed two brand new boxes in an area adjacent to several ponds. These new boxes will help increase nesting success even further for this incredible species. They will continue to be monitored by the DNR in addition to the existing boxes. Additionally, brush covering the entry of the boxes was cleared and used to create brush piles for small game habitat. Another group of volunteers removed old decking from a cross-bridge located between two units. Removal was fairly easy given that the boards were old and rotting away, which made the project all the more important. The boards will be replaced with fresh wood later in the year, therefore improving hunter accessibility. In total, volunteers improved approximately 49 acres of wildlife habitat directly through this project.