On the Ground: Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area
On Saturday, February 17, 2018, On the Ground will be partnering with Gib King of Land Ethics LLC to host a wildlife habitat improvement project in the Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. This project is unique because, in addition to improving wildlife habitat by building brush piles, volunteers will also have the opportunity to shoot clay pigeons and hunt rabbits in the afternoon! We will also be joined by Alvin Sitkiewicz with Michigan Gone Wild who will be filming parts of the event for us. Alvin and Joe Sullivan from MGW have done some great work with us in the past with our annual workday in the Pigeon River Country State Forest with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation—check out their video production here! Read more to learn more about the Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area and the upcoming habitat improvement project.
The Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area is a 5,000-acre wetland complex consisting of over 3-1/2 miles of level ditch network and a 2-1/2 mile low-head dam with water level control structures. The area is also surrounded by Huron National Forest. The wetland dike systems act as hiking trails for visitors. A total of 35 earthen nesting islands have been constructed within the marsh. The site includes a 380-acre impoundment area, open water, marsh and wildlife viewing areas. A variety of wildlife including deer, fox, coyote, cottontail rabbit, muskrat, beaver, otter, weasel and a large variety of bird species can be found in the area. The OTG event in February will target benefitting the areas cottontail rabbits by providing cover for the species but will benefit many other wildlife species as well.
The event will involve a habitat improvement portion during which volunteers will build brush piles using pre-felled trees from 9AM-noon or lunch time. This will be the second workday hosted in the area. Safety equipment, tools, extra chainsaws and PPE will be provided for volunteers as well as water, snacks, lunch, and a free T-shirt! Lunch will be hosted at a cabin near the project site and will be provided (FREE) to all volunteers. After lunch, there will be an opportunity to shoot clays. Some extra .12 and .20 gauge target load will be provided as well, but please bring your own shotgun! There will also be an opportunity to hunt rabbits in nearby improved habitat areas. This event is family-friendly and all ages/abilities are welcome– see more details and RSVP to volunteer here!
View other upcoming OTG events state-wide at www.mucc.org/on-the-ground
MUCC’s On The Ground Program is supported by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division
